Chris Harris (journalist)

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Chris Harris
Harris at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show
Born (1975-01-27) 27 January 1975 (age 49)
United Kingdom
Other namesMonkey
Occupation(s)Automotive Journalist and Automotive Racing Driver.
Employer(s)Evo, Autocar, Jalopnik, Drive, NBCSN
Known forYouTube channel, "Chris Harris on Cars," various automotive articles, automotive racing.

Chris Harris (born 20 January 1975) is a English automotive journalist and automotive racing driver.[1] Harris has worked as a reviewer, writer, and editor for many automotive magazines, including Evo, Autocar, and Jalopnik.[2][3] In addition, Harris has presented numerous television and YouTube series through NBCSN and /DRIVE. Chris Harris has his own YouTube Channel, Chris Harris on Cars, where he and cameraman / editor Neil Carey produce and film their own automotive reviews and content on an irregular basis.

On December 23, 2015 it was reported that Harris would be joining Chris Evans and Sabine Schmitz as presenters of the BBC television program Top Gear. Several months later, on February 11, 2016 it was confirmed that Harris would join Top Gear when the BBC announced a new team of Top Gear presenters.[4]

Early journalism career

Harris began his career in the automotive industry by working for Autocar magazine,[2] performing various menial labor tasks, or, as he himself describes it, "cleaning ashtrays."[5] Eventually, Harris was promoted to an official road-test editor within Autocar magazine. During his time at Autocar magazine, Harris gained recognition and credibility as a journalist by writing many automotive reviews, as well as regularly writing an opinion column.[2] In 2008, Harris left his job with Autocar magazine to cofound a new web-based digital platform called Drivers Republic, aimed at car enthusiasts. However, a year later, in 2009, Drivers Republic ceased all operations. In a statement, Drivers Republic explained the abrupt termination was due to "differences in our [Chris Harris and cofounders Steve Davies, Richard Meaden, and Jethro Bovingdon] vision about future priorities...." Immediately after the shutdown of Drivers Republic, Harris joined Evo magazine as a writer / reviewer, publishing his first article with Evo on October 12, 2009.[6] Harris consistently published for Evo magazine every few months until the 21st of December, 2011.[6] Harris would not resume writing for Evo magazine until the 10th of April, 2015.[6]

Current journalism career (2012–)

A BMW M235i, the first car reviewed by Chris Harris on the Chris Harris on Cars YouTube channel. In the same video, the BMW M235i was compared to a Volkswagen Golf R.

Subsequently, Chris Harris created an opinion and review YouTube series in partnership with /DRIVE. This new series would be aired weekly (starting in early 2012) on /DRIVE's YouTube channel, and would be called /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS.[7] Each episode featured a different car, either owned by Harris, or given to /DRIVE temporarily from the manufacturer. /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS greatly expanded /DRIVE's viewership, with 104 videos together amassing over 3,500,000 views within 2 years.[8] However, after two years of hosting automotive videos for /DRIVE, Harris left the network in 2014 to create his own YouTube channel. Harris maintained a positive relationship with /DRIVE, remaining "a close friend of the /DRIVE brand...."[9][10] Harris also insisted that he would be "involved in its [/DRIVE's] future productions."[9][11]

On October 27, 2014,[12] Harris' YouTube channel, Chris Harris on Cars, was created. Harris partnered with longtime colleague and cameraman / editor Neil Carey and still shoots all Chris Harris on Cars (commonly abbreviated "CHOC") independently. Chris Harris on Cars has over 250,000 YouTube subscribers and nearly 20,000,000 views. In addition, on November 6, 2014, Harris began writing for Jalopnik,[10] an online automotive blog administrated by Kinja. Harris also has since partnered with /DRIVE through NBCSN, and now appears on American television channel NBCSN (reviewing cars and partaking in automotive related activities with other hosts) on a regular basis.

Automotive racing career

A modern Porsche 911 Carrera Cup car, similar to the Porsche 911 Carrera Cup that Chris Harris drove.

Chris Harris' knowledge of cars, as well as his driving ability, is provided in part by his extensive racing career.[1] Harris has driven in a variety of race cars and types of races. Harris won his first race in a Formula Palmer Audi in 2000.[13] Some of the race cars Harris has driven include a Porsche 911 Carrera Cup, Renault Sport R.S. 01,[1] Aston Martin Vantage GT12,[1] and a Jaguar E-Type.[14] Harris has also raced in endurance races like the 24 Hours Nürburgring, which he notably raced in 2010, and last raced in 2015.[1] Harris often makes videos about the races he is attempting; sometimes teaching basic race techniques and other times simply sharing his experiences.[12]

One map of the Nürburgring race track.

24 Hours Nürburgring - Chris Harris

Year Final Position Car Races Team
2010 4th Porsche 911 GT3 RS 1 Porsche
2015 DNF Aston Martin Vantage GT12 1 Aston Martin

Harris often discuss technical racing terms in his non-racing focused videos. Harris also emphasizes the importance of driving and racing safety in many of his videos, especially when teaching techniques like drifting.[15]

Acquisitions and funding

Acquisitions

A Ferrari FF, one of the cars that Chris Harris has owned. Harris' Ferrari FF was painted blue.

While Chris Harris has owned several exotic cars, like a Ferrari FF,[16] most of the cars Harris reviews are given to him by manufacturers. Manufacturers often give automotive journalists "press cars",[17] in hopes that a reviewer will give their [the manufacturer's] new car a positive review, and therefore boost the car's sales. Harris receives many press cars, sometimes for extended periods of time.[18] Harris has even received cars for up to 6 months, like an Audi RS 6.[18] Harris is often characterized as passionate and comical in his reviews of press cars, saying once that his "life is incomplete without you [Referencing the Audi RS 6 press car]."[18]

Funding

In Harris' early career, magazines like Autocar magazine and Evo magazine paid Harris for his writing, as a journalist. However, as Harris' career progressed, Harris began to branch out on his own. Throughout the production of /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS on the /DRIVE YouTube channel, Harris depended partially on sponsorships through various brands and through YouTube advertising revenue. Eventually, the /DRIVE channel switched partially to /DRIVE+, a paid subscription channel.[19] In Harris' current production series, Chris Harris on Cars, Harris not only has to support himself, but also cameraman / editor Neil Carey.[20] He therefore combines YouTube advertising revenue with Patreon support from his fans.[20] Occasionally, Harris posts videos featuring sponsored content, from brands like Pirelli.[21] Harris also receives compensation from NBCSN for his regular television series, /DRIVE.

Controversies

Chris Harris has been involved in several automotive-related controversies, especially between Harris and a manufacturer.

Ferrari

Harris was banned from reviewing Ferrari cars on February 2, 2011,[22] after writing an article titled, "How Ferrari Spins." In his article, Harris criticizes Ferrari for trying "to win every test [review] at any cost."[23] As the article goes on, Harris continues to criticize Ferrari as a "profoundly irritating"[23] brand. In addition, Harris explains that an automotive journalist, in his opinion, is forced to please Ferrari with a positive review, in order to maintain a relationship with the brand. Though Harris was technically banned from reviewing Ferrari cars, Harris was still able to unofficially review several Ferraris throughout his ban. In late 2013, Harris and Ferrari reconciled,[24] and Harris has since (officially) reviewed many Ferrari cars.

Lamborghini

In 2014, Harris was banned from reviewing Lamborghini cars. The cause of the ban was an article written by Harris, titled "Lamborghinis Are The Perfect Cars For People Who Can't Drive." In his piece, Harris criticizes many characteristics of the Lamborghini brand.[25] Harris repeatedly expresses concern for Lamborghini, saying their "future is bleak,"[25] and that the brand "can't support its looks with adequate [driving] dynamics."[25] Harris also notes several Lamborghini malfunctions; in one case, as he was driving, "the brakes [on the Lamborghini] caught fire."[25] Consequently, Lamborghini ended their relationship with Harris, and Harris has not officially reviewed a Lamborghini since.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Chris Harris - Racing career profile - Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  2. ^ a b c "Drifting, Racing & Reviewing. A Look At Chris Harris". Gearheads. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  3. ^ "Chris Harris". Kinja.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  4. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35548081
  5. ^ "Chris Harris – The man behind the wheel «  CAR magazine Blog". www.carmagblog.co.za. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  6. ^ a b c "Chris Harris". Evo. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  7. ^ "PHer presents YouTube channel | PistonHeads". www.pistonheads.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  8. ^ "/CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  9. ^ a b "Chris Harris Steers Away from /Drive to Open His Own YouTube Channel". Carscoops. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  10. ^ a b "Chris Harris's Jalopnik Column, On Jalopnik". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  11. ^ "Statement from Chris Harris". Chris Harris. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  12. ^ a b "Chris Harris on Cars". YouTube. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  13. ^ "Chris Harris at the Ring 24 hours". Evo. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  14. ^ "Six Hours of Spa, 18 to 20 September 2015". www.ris-timing.be. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  15. ^ Harris, Chris. "How To Drift, BMW M235i". Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  16. ^ Ramsey, Jonathon. "Chris Harris reviews his personal, two-year-old Ferrari FF [w/video]". Autoblog. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  17. ^ "The Truth About Press Cars". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  18. ^ a b c "174mph and room for the dog. RS6 is the ultimate all-rounder, says Chris Harris". Goodwood Road & Racing. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  19. ^ "Ask /DRIVE Anything About Its New Subscription Channel On YouTube". /DRIVE. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  20. ^ a b "Support Chris Harris creating Videos". Patreon. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  21. ^ Harris, Chris. "Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo R tyre test". Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  22. ^ "This is the only way Chris Harris is allowed to test drive a Ferrari". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  23. ^ a b "How Ferrari Spins". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  24. ^ Gooderham, Michael (2013-10-26). "Small Blog V8: Chris Harris Is Allowed To Drive Ferraris Again. This Is A Good Thing". Small Blog V8. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  25. ^ a b c d "Lamborghinis Are The Perfect Cars For People Who Can't Drive". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2015-10-31.

External links

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