Chris Harris

Christopher James Harris (born 20 January 1975) is a British automotive journalist, professional racing driver and television presenter. Harris has worked as a reviewer, writer and editor for multiple automotive magazines, including Evo, Autocar and Jalopnik. He has presented numerous television and YouTube series through NBCSN and DRIVE.

From 2017 to 2022, Harris was one of the three main presenters of Top Gear, after previously making regular appearances throughout the twenty-third series in 2016. He has his own YouTube Channel, Chris Harris on Cars, in which he and Neil Carey produce and film their own automotive reviews and content. On 28 June 2016, the Chris Harris on Cars web series was moved from YouTube to the official Top Gear website and in July 2016, Chris Harris on Cars was launched on BBC America.

Early life and education Harris' father was an accountant and his mother an autocross racer. He was educated at Clifton College, Bristol. He was adopted as a child.

Journalism

Harris began his career in the automotive industry working for Autocar, performing various menial tasks, or, as he himself describes it, "cleaning ashtrays". Eventually, he was promoted to an official road-test editor position within Autocar and gained recognition and credibility as a journalist by writing many automotive reviews, as well as a regular opinion column. In 2008, Harris left Autocar magazine to co-found a new web-based digital platform called Drivers Republic. A year later, the enterprise ceased operations. In a statement, Drivers Republic explained the abrupt termination was due to "differences in our vision about future priorities". Immediately after the shutdown, Harris joined Evo as a writer and reviewer, publishing his first article there on 12 October 2009. His features for Evo were published every few months until 21 December 2011, Each episode featured a different car, either owned by Harris, or loaned to /DRIVE temporarily by the manufacturer. The series greatly expanded /DRIVE's viewership, with 104 videos together amassing over 3,500,000 views in two years. After two years of hosting automotive videos, Harris left the network in 2014 to create his own YouTube channel. He maintained a positive relationship with /DRIVE, remaining "a close friend of the /DRIVE brand".

In October 2014 Harris started his YouTube channel, Chris Harris on Cars. He partnered with longtime colleague, cameraman and editor, Neil Carey, and still shoots all Chris Harris on Cars (commonly abbreviated "CHOC") independently. Chris Harris on Cars has over 639,000 YouTube subscribers and over 75,000,000 views. Harris also has since partnered with /DRIVE through NBCSN and now appears on that channel, reviewing cars and taking part in automotive-related activities with other hosts, on a regular basis.

Television In February 2016, Harris officially joined the new cast of Top Gear. Harris served as a recurring presenter for the television show in 2016, but was promoted to a main presenter following the resignation of Chris Evans. From the twenty-fourth series, he presented the series alongside co-hosts Matt LeBlanc and Rory Reid. As of the twenty-seventh series, he hosted the show alongside Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness.

Motor racing

Harris has had an extensive racing career. Some of the racing cars he has driven include a Porsche 911 Cup, Renault Sport R.S. 01, He has also raced in endurance races like the 24 Hours Nürburgring in 2010 and 2015.

Harris often makes videos about the races he is attempting, sometimes teaching basic race techniques and other times simply sharing his experiences.

Britcar 24 Hour results Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps 2007 Paragon Motorsport Andrew Purdie Adrian Slater Mark Sumpter Porsche 996 GT3 Cup 39 GTC 5643rd1st

24 Hours Nürburgring results

Blancpain GT Series Endurance Amateur Cup results Year Team Car MNZ SIL LEC SPA NÜR Points Position 2016 Team Parker Racing Bentley Continental GT3 Ret 40 32 61 53 54 34 48 6th 2017 Garage 59 McLaren 650S GT3 NC

Acquisitions and funding

Acquisitions

While Harris has owned several exotic cars, such as a Ferrari FF, most of the cars Harris reviews are loaned to him by manufacturers. Manufacturers often give automotive journalists press cars, in the hope that a reviewer will give the new car a positive review that boost the car's sales. Harris receives many press cars, sometimes for extended periods of time. Harris has even received cars for up to six months, such as an Audi RS 6. His current YouTube channel Chris Harris on Cars supports both himself and cameraman/editor Neil Carey. Occasionally, Harris posts videos featuring sponsored content, from brands like Pirelli.

Filmography