This book presents in-depth interviews with 24 ‘motor sport greats’, all characters with a story to tell. The idea was to get them to suggest their favorite pub or restaurant for a good meal and a half-decent bottle, and gently prod them into opening up their memories and opinions with frank and honest insights about themselves, about the people they’d known and worked with, and about the people they’d raced against. The result is a compelling read, beautifully crafted by one of Britain’s top motor sport writers.
Who has been the worlds greatest driver, and how do you prove it? With an eye for detail and a flair for storytelling, this book explores motor racings rich history in pursuit of the best driver the world has ever seen. Most enthusiasts have a strongly held opinion as to racings finest driver over the century of the motor car. By putting aside bias and personal opinion, this books exhaustively researched, results-based analysis provides a definitive answer through clear and logical evaluation. These carefully considered, significant statistics, when merged together, reveal with incisive objectivity motor sports greatest driver as well as the qualities that define greatness. Contentious? Possibly. Thought-provoking? Definitely. Author Angus Dougall captures many aspects of the motor racing world with a selection of revealing anecdotes on the highlights of racings biggest stars, together with stories that bring to life people, places, insiders opinions of drivers, circuits, constructors, politics, insights, and comments on many of the drivers. For readers wishing to peruse the actual detail, there is a vast array of appendices displaying extensive race results lists, charts on driver performance, and car analysis. Motor racing fans, climb on board and hold on for an intriguing ride to the pinnacle of greatness.
Covering the period from the first Grand Prix win in 1906, to Michael Schumacher’s 2006 retirement, this book is one man’s idea of the 20th century’s motor racing heroes. The sport has attracted many men and women whose determination, raw courage, and skill at the wheel has driven them into that special, rarified atmosphere of heroism – this book tells the stories of 100 of these heroes.
My Greatest Defeat is a collection of honest and revealing insights into 20 of the greatest living racing drivers, legends of the worlds of Formula 1, Indycar, NASCAR, Le Mans and Rally. Interviews conducted specially for this book are with (in alphabetical order) Mario Andretti, Derek Bell, Emerson Fittipaldi, Dario Franchitti, Jeff Gordon, Mika Häkkinen, Damon Hill, Jimmie Johnson, Tom Kristensen, Niki Lauda, Sebastien Loeb, Felipe Massa, Rick Mears, Emanuele Pirro, Alain Prost, Carlos Sainz, Jackie Stewart, Bobby Unser, Ari Vatanen and Alex Zanardi. Here are five highlights… Dario Franchitti — The Indycar champion talks of the deaths of the friends that book-ended his career in racing, the heartbreak that each caused and the aftermath of accidents that affected the physical functioning of his brain. Jeff Gordon — One of the all-time NASCAR greats, he looks back on his many championships, admitting that today he cannot view a single one with anything but regret as family relationships were soured and stretched to breaking point. Jimmie Johnson — One of the greatest stock car drivers in history, Johnson was at one time considered a reckless outcast. He reflects on the little-known crash that almost killed him and changed his mindset forever. Niki Lauda — A racer who needs no introduction, Niki Lauda discusses the loss of one of his aircraft over Thailand in which all on board were killed; for eight months he fought to clear the name of his pilots and change aircraft safety forever. Alex Zanardi — In a deep and revealing conversation, the Paralympic gold medalist, who lost both legs in an Indycar accident, discusses how we decipher between our passion and our ambition and how childhood dreams affect our adult decisions. Striking portrait artworks come from a revered artist in modern comic book design, Giuseppe ‘Cammo’ Camuncoli, who is renowned for the dark, brooding style that has seen him become a staple in the Vertigo, DC and Marvel stables.
More than 120 years of motorsport: stories, triumphs and tragedies, sensational innovations, rapid progress, and grandiose dead ends. The History of Motorsport gives a gripping and informative rundown of the colourful world of motor racing, with its trailblazing technical developments and its greatest series and races. The book begins with the first Grand Prix in motor-racing history, and takes readers on a journey through the decades all the way to FIA Formula E. Along the way they will encounter cars like Michael Schumacher's 'red goddess', the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel, and its Formula 1 forefathers from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lotus, and Brabham, the likes of the Lancia Stratos and Delta Integrale, Audi Sport Quattro, Citroën WRC, and the VW Race Touareg for the Dakar rally. Touring cars through to Mike Rockenfeller's Schaeffler-Audi RS5 also take their place of honour here. The choice of vehicles has been made to ensure all important races and racing series are included. Extensive statistics complete this comprehensive book.
Companion book to the compelling new documentary film of a motor sports hero Sir Jack Brabham was unique in the world of motor racing. He was the boy from Sydney who took on the elite of motor racing and won three F1 world championships, the last one in a car not only built by his own Brabham company, but with an Australian engine he'd helped develop. To those who saw him on the podium, Jack Brabham might have seemed glorious and triumphant. But he was also a man of secrets. He shunned the media, rarely using 'two words when none would do'. He kept vital information from his competitors, his team mates - and his family. It led to unrivalled success. It led to wealth too, much of it hidden around the world. But it also left a trail of hurt and bewilderment ... In this first ever book-length biography of Jack Brabham, his extraordinary accomplishments are laid out with new commentary from his rivals, colleagues, employees and long-time engineering partner Ron Tauranac. And, with the help of his sons Geoffrey and David, it represents the first major attempt to unravel the enigma who became known as 'Black Jack'. PRAISE 'Do buy the book, its a great read over the festive season or otherwise!' Primotipo 'A thorough, broad portrait of a motor sporting giant, an Aussie icon who rarely allowed outsiders to take a peek inside at a personality that offers more surprises than anyone might have guessed' Cars4Starters
