Motorsport book recommendations
Discussion
I'm after the Smokey Yunick book "Where's there's Smokey, there's fire" but am not aware of a UK stockist. Sod's law is that I haven't made it to the US this year to buy one there. If anyone knows where I can find one on the UK, please post here?
I can also recommend George Donaldson's volume on James Hunt and Leon Mandel's "Speed With Style" on Peter Revson's life.
I'd also recommend Tim Birkin's (clearly) self-penned "Full Throttle" for its 1930s style of writing and social class influences.
...oh and there's also Nigel Mansell's very good biog and...I could go on and on!
I can also recommend George Donaldson's volume on James Hunt and Leon Mandel's "Speed With Style" on Peter Revson's life.
I'd also recommend Tim Birkin's (clearly) self-penned "Full Throttle" for its 1930s style of writing and social class influences.
...oh and there's also Nigel Mansell's very good biog and...I could go on and on!
Ragged edge - an excellent book capturing - in pictures - all the drama that is motorcycle road racing. Some of the photo's defy belief - I have requested a copy from my OH for Christmas.
Going back a few years, 'Race without end' is an excellent book written by highly respected journo Maurice Hamilton. It follows the Jordan F1 team through the 1993 season and is a fascinating insight into the world of a small struggling F1 team. The only book I've ever read twice.
Going back a few years, 'Race without end' is an excellent book written by highly respected journo Maurice Hamilton. It follows the Jordan F1 team through the 1993 season and is a fascinating insight into the world of a small struggling F1 team. The only book I've ever read twice.
Firstly, some great ideas for xmas pressies on this thread!
One of mine, on a slightly more technical note How to make your car handle is a great book.
I was sat reading it on a plane out of WRC Sweden one year and the guy next to me commented on it. Turned out he was a senior engineer at Subaru. He explained that this book was basic reading for anyone on the team. (He then asked to borrow a pen and feck it if anything I could offer wouldn't work at that altitude)
In my mind it's a great technical introduction to the way a car will handle when you start tweaking bits of the suspension.
Great Book!
One of mine, on a slightly more technical note How to make your car handle is a great book.
I was sat reading it on a plane out of WRC Sweden one year and the guy next to me commented on it. Turned out he was a senior engineer at Subaru. He explained that this book was basic reading for anyone on the team. (He then asked to borrow a pen and feck it if anything I could offer wouldn't work at that altitude)
In my mind it's a great technical introduction to the way a car will handle when you start tweaking bits of the suspension.
Great Book!
Ive read:
Steve Matchett - a mechanics tale and the charriot makers - fantastic
David Richards - Driven Man - good read
David Coulthard - It is what it is - plenty of bullshit and not worth the cost!
Richard Burns - Driving Ambition (not such a huge read but a well put togethor book)
Timothy Collings - The piranha Club - pretty much sums up whats happening now in F1
Christopher Hilton - Ayrton Senna - fantastic insight into the guy i admired when i was young.
I have button and hamiltons coming my way for xmas!
Steve Matchett - a mechanics tale and the charriot makers - fantastic
David Richards - Driven Man - good read
David Coulthard - It is what it is - plenty of bullshit and not worth the cost!
Richard Burns - Driving Ambition (not such a huge read but a well put togethor book)
Timothy Collings - The piranha Club - pretty much sums up whats happening now in F1
Christopher Hilton - Ayrton Senna - fantastic insight into the guy i admired when i was young.
I have button and hamiltons coming my way for xmas!
williamp said:
MrKipling43 said:
Good thread... for all of us 
I quite fancy that Gerry Marshall book.
Also, if you can find one/stretch to the £60 price tag Ian Bamsey's latest (the F1 V10) is fantastic. Although you may have to do a bit if research to understand some of the slightly more complex bits (i certainly did) it is broadly aimed at the 'knowledgeable layman enthusiast'.
I bought that Gerry marshall book for my Dad for Christmas. Its a great read!I quite fancy that Gerry Marshall book.
Also, if you can find one/stretch to the £60 price tag Ian Bamsey's latest (the F1 V10) is fantastic. Although you may have to do a bit if research to understand some of the slightly more complex bits (i certainly did) it is broadly aimed at the 'knowledgeable layman enthusiast'.
Obviously I'd recommend Only Here For The Beer too, original and tribute versions. Also, Dad's other book Competition Driving is worth a read and there may well be another in the pipeline, watch this space....
Gregor Marshall said:
Also, Dad's other book Competition Driving is worth a read and there may well be another in the pipeline, watch this space....
By Dad, I assume you mean Gerry?Wow, you actually have one of the coolest Dads ever.
I know it was a while ago - but my condolences for your father's untimely death. He's a true racing legend.
Edited by MrKipling43 on Friday 7th December 16:47
Excuse me if these aren't entirely accurate but the 3 books which did it for me were:
The Technique of Motor Racing Pierro Taruffi
The Racing Driver Denis Jenkinson
Competition Driving Paul Frere
Put those together with watching the difference between a race winner and those behind, and you sort of got your answer as to how to do it.
Then Stewart's and Senna's handbooks were a good top up.
A chap did a book on the mental approach of GP drivers against the rest and that was interesting. In my maturity I can now see how important the mental approach to racing is. More than you'd imagine.
... if that's your bag.
The Technique of Motor Racing Pierro Taruffi
The Racing Driver Denis Jenkinson
Competition Driving Paul Frere
Put those together with watching the difference between a race winner and those behind, and you sort of got your answer as to how to do it.
Then Stewart's and Senna's handbooks were a good top up.
A chap did a book on the mental approach of GP drivers against the rest and that was interesting. In my maturity I can now see how important the mental approach to racing is. More than you'd imagine.
... if that's your bag.
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