Motorsport book recommendations

[SamHH]

Can anyone recommend some good motorsport books? I'm happy to read biographies, autobiographies or more technical books as long as they're accessible to the layman. I'm most interested in Grand Prix racing but I'm happy to read about other forms of racing as well.

Books that I've enjoyed are Steve Matchett's The Mechanics Tale and The Chariot Makers, Gerald Donaldson's Fangio: The Life Behind The Legend, Martin Brundle's Working the Wheel and Sid Watkin's Life at the Limit.

Also, where is the best place to get motorsport books cheaply either new or second hand? Amazon Marketplace seems to have good deals but then you have to pay £2.75 delivery for every book.

Edited by SamHH on Monday 23 April 11:06

[belleair302]

The latest book written by the guy behind F1.com, Joe Saward, is an excellent read. Its called GP Sabateurs and is available from the site. Murray Walkers Autobiography is a fun read too. I would also suggest Jo Ramirez: Life of a Racing Man.

have a look at www.motorbooks.co.uk or www.chaters.co.uk

Edited by belleair302 on Monday 23 April 11:06

[nerf]

the best books ive read are by the 'prof'. sid watkins, you may know, was the F1 chief medical officer for ever. and a world class brain injury doc too. his 2 books are really very funny, full of interesting and laugh out loud anecdotes..... amazon are selling them for 20p in their new and used sections..

Life at the Limit: Triumph and Tragedy in Formula One

the better of the two.. and...

Beyond the Limit

apparently he is writing his auto-biography at the moment, looking forward to that...

[Eric Mc]

All Arms and Elbows - Innes Ireland

Colin Chapman - Wayward Genius Dr Mike Lawerence

[williamp]

Step on it by Stroker ace
It was fun by Eoin Young
That certain sound by John Wyer
(can't remember the title) Perry McCarthy's autobiography

[ettore]

The Lost Generation - David Tremayne

Cooper - Doug Nye

Touch Wood - Duncan Hamilton

there are plenty of others!

[Truckosaurus]

All of Eoin Young's autobiographical books are good layman's book, with lots of stories from when F1 was Any Good.

If you are interested in the history of various races then Brooklands Book compilations of contemporary race reports and articles are easily digested.

My favourite book recently was Mark Donohue's "Unfair Advantage" that has been re-issued.

If you want some fiction into the mix, Burt Levy's Last Open Road novels are very good, (although not quick reads, for good or ill) www.lastopenroad.com

[stockhatcher]

ettore said:

The Lost Generation - David Tremayne

!

seconded

also gilles vileneuve - g donaldson

[belleair302]

Perry Mcarthy Flat Out Flat Broke!

[kevin ritson]

Also,

Alex Zanardi - My Story
Gerald Donaldson's biography of James Hunt
Richard Williams' books - The Death of Ayrton Senna, Racers and his biography of Enzo Ferrari
Nigel Roebuck's Chasing the Title - like reading several Fifth Columns, a real joy

[MrKipling43]

I'll second the GP Saboteurs recommendation - it's truly ace.

Anything by Ian Bamsey will do you well and the new Alan Henry book is an absolute must have, it's called the Grand Prix Handbook I think and it's cracking.

[skeggysteve]

Agree with all the suggestions so far.

The Donaldson bio of Gilles Villeneuve is one of the best bio's of a racing driver ever.

I'd just add 'March, The rise and Fall of a Motor Racing Legend' also know as 'Four Guys and a Telephone' - written by Mike Lawrence.

[tankerman24]

My all time favorite is Starting grid to chequered flag by Paul Frere a brilliant book for anyone who loves the proper racing of the fifties,
also Challenge me the race and Champion Year by Mike Hawthorn
Only here for the beer Gerry Marshal
Sideways to victory Roger Clark

[stockhatcher]

if you just want a yarn in the style of a Dick Francis crime novel you could try the following by Bob Judd

Phoenix, Indy, Monza, Silverstone, the first one was very good the others were Ok. its bascially a motor racing who dunnit... do a google for more info..

a word of warning - i last read these in 1991 or 2, and was still a teenager, so it could be bollox

[MrKipling43]

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'.

[stockhatcher]

you could also get mansell's autobiography called

Nigel Mansell 'I did it all by myself' ghost written by, 'the cock' aka james allen as well, £16.99 well spent i thought...


forget to mention muddly talkers biog is good too.

Edited by stockhatcher on Monday 23 April 21:43

[kenthardy]

ettore said:

The Lost Generation - David Tremayne

Top of my Xmas list!!!

Please please please

[heightswitch]

isn't there a new book out Dennis Jenkinson?

Also, In the same mould of Only here for the beer is "Down the hatch" Tony Lanfranchis bio.

Neil.

[LanCat]

Archie and the Listers by Robert Edwards and The Unfair Advantage by Mark Donoghue aare two of my favourites.

[williamp]

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!