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Books > Sport & Leisure > Sports & outdoor recreation > Motor sports
Niki Lauda drove a car for sport, but crossed the line between life and death and fought back to even greater glory. Even people who know nothing of Formula One have heard of his crash at Nurburgring in 1976, when we was dragged from the inferno of his Ferrari so badly injured he was given the last rites. Within 33 days, he was racing again at Monza. His wounds bled, he had no eyelids. He was terrified. A year later, he reclaimed his World Championship title.
In To Hell and Back he reveals how he battled fear to stage a comeback that seemed beyond human endurance. Then it’s Lauda vs Hunt, an epic rivalry later dramatized in 2013’s Hollywood blockbuster Rush, and he looks back on the strict childhood and parental disapproval that he believes gave him an ‘addiction to excellence’. There’ll never be another like him.
Year-by-year treatment covers each season in fascinating depth,
running through the teams - and their various cars - in order of
importance. Over 600 photos from the superb archives of Motorsport
Images show every type of car raced by every team and driver,
presenting a comprehensive survey of all participants. The
formative years of the 1950s are explored in this next instalment
of Evro's decade-by-decade series covering all Formula 1 cars and
teams. When the World Championship was first held in 1950, red
Italian cars predominated, from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati,
and continued to do so for much of the period. But by the time the
decade closed, green British cars were in their ascendancy, first
Vanwall and then rear-engined Cooper playing the starring roles,
and BRM and Lotus having walk-on parts. As for drivers, one stood
out above the others, Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio becoming World
Champion five times. Much of the fascination of this era also lies
in its numerous privateers and also-rans, all of which receive
their due coverage in this completist work.
This long-awaited book is a photographic memoir by the only man to
have won World Championships on motorcycles and in cars. Containing
nearly 300 photographs from Surtees' own collection as well as from
the world's finest motorsport picture libraries, this major book
presents a complete visual record of Surtees' life accompanied by
fascinating commentary written in collaboration with co-author Mike
Nicks. Chapters of particular interest are those covering Surtees's
formative years and the extraordinary 1960 season in which he raced
both motorcycles and cars, winning two World Championships on MV
Agusta bikes as well as taking second place for Lotus in the
British GP, which was only his second Formula 1 race. Royalties
from sales of the book will go to the Henry Surtees Foundation,
which was set up to honour the memory of John's son Henry, who was
killed in a freak accident at Brands Hatch in 2009. - The early
years (up to 1952): a childhood around motorcycle racing,
apprenticeship with Vincent, then racing a Vincent Grey Flash. -
Getting established (1953-55): Moving on to ride mainly Manx
Nortons, he did 86 races in one year, and in 1955 achieved his
first grand prix win, in the 250cc Ulster GP on an NSU. - The glory
years (1956-60): dominating top-level motorcycle racing for five
years with Italian team MV Agusta, taking seven World Championship
titles on 500cc and 350cc bikes. - The remarkable year of bikes and
cars (1960): overlapping his last year of motorcycle racing with 17
car races, including four F1 World Championship events. - Ferrari
driver (1963-66): established in cars, he joined Ferrari, winning
his first race - the Sebring 12 Hours for sports cars - and the
following year becoming F1 World Champion. - Can-Am champion
(1966): after recovery from a huge crash in a Lola T70 sports car
and acrimonious departure from Ferrari, he bounced back in North
America to win the spectacular Can-Am series. - Turning Japanese
(1967-68): Honda invited Surtees to develop and drive its F1 cars
for two years, with victory in the Italian GP at Monza the
highlight. - Becoming a constructor (1969-78): going into
single-seater racing, including F1, with Team Surtees and cars of
his own manufacture; Mike Hailwood won the European F2 Championship
in 1972. - The latter years (1978 onwards): fully active on the
historic scene as a restorer and driver of motorcycles and cars,
then nurturing son Henry's career until the tragic accident. Royal
Automobile Club shortlist of contenders for Motoring Book of the
Year!
The ideal gift for Grand Prix fans this Christmas Explore the
unique stories behind every Grand Prix track in this fully updated
second edition. Written by award-winning journalist Maurice
Hamilton and complete with bespoke digital maps of each course,
this is the ultimate guide to the circuits of Formula One. Each
venue is listed in chronological order from the first time it
hosted a Grand Prix, starting with Monza, then taking in renowned
locations such as Spa, Nurburgring, Monaco and Silverstone, all the
way up to F1's latest destination: Miami. Uncover little-known
facts about famous circuits and discover the story behind some of
the sport's lesser-known venues. This fully updated second edition
includes: * All 77 Formula 1 circuits, featuring six additional
venues from the previous edition * Bespoke digital maps of every
racetrack * Statistics including circuit lengths, lap records, and
names of corners and straights * Alphabetical and 'by country'
indices for ease of reference
The biography of the record-breaking world champion After equalling
Michael Schumacher's records in both race wins, and world titles,
in 2020, Lewis Hamilton became the joint-most successful racing
driver of all time - and the most dominant and successful Briton
ever to drive in Formula 1. Hamilton's debut season in 2007 won him
fans around the world, and his place in Formula 1 history was
sealed the following year when he became the youngest ever world
champion. In the years since, he has created headlines on and off
the track with his rivalries with Max Verstappen, Nico Rosberg and
Sebastian Vettel and relationships that have landed him on the
front pages of the tabloids. However, despite the media glare, he
has continued to prove his incredible talent and tenacity and
remains utterly dominant in his sport. In this insightful
biography, bestselling sports author Frank Worrall traces the
slipstream of Hamilton's incredible career as the fastest driver on
the planet. This is the story of the young man who went from being
the rookie Sir Jackie Stewart said 'has rewritten the rule book' to
a world champion many times over, and become Britain's greatest
ever sportsman in the process.
As Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc battle it out
head-to-head in the most hotly contested championship in years,
this in-depth book, with a foreword from Haas team principal
Guenther Steiner, tells the story of how the sport evolved into the
exhilarating high octane spectacle it is today. The new rules
introduced in 2022 signal the greatest change to F1 in a
generation, cracking the field wide open and seeing some of the
most compelling and competitive races in the last 25 years.
Technical changes aimed at levelling the playing field for the
teams combined with the sport's tightening budget cap have made the
races closer than ever. There will be more sprint races - trialled
in 2021 - and greater fan interest driven by Netflix's hugely
successful 'Drive to Survive' series. So, how did we get here? How
did F1 become the acknowledged 'Pinnacle of Motorsport'? Simon
Arron and Tony Dodgins have identified the 100 most significant
changes to the series since its inception in 1950. Formula One is
unrecognizable from its debut season, where drivers raced around on
old bomber training aerodrome in Northamptonshire with oil drums to
mark the corners and straw bales the only concession to safety. New
fans will welcome a complete and highly illustrated guide to the
history of F1, while older fans will be able to compare their own
views of what were the pivotal moments of change, in a book written
by experienced motoring writers with two lifetimes worth of
knowledge of the sport. The book will link technical progress with
the personalities involved, indeed many of the swiftest changes
have come about as a result of accidents or tragedies - the death
of Roland Ratzenberger at Imola in 1994, the same weekend as Ayrton
Senna, could have been avoided by the HANS safety device. The
introduction of the halo saved Romain Grosjean's life in Bahrain
last year, but only came about because of the tragic accident that
claimed Jules Bianchi in Japan. Along with changes to circuits and
the technology of the cars, this book highlights the commercial
changes and the controversies that threatened to split the sport
apart - such as the threat of breakaway series proposed at various
times by teams. A must-read for completists or for those new to the
sport, F1: The Pinnacle is a fascinating insight into one of the
most exciting and dangerous sports in the world.
Bask in Formula One glory with this 240-page, large-format tribute
to all 34 F1 World Champions, featuring exhilarating photography
and expert commentary. Since the Grand Prix's start in 1950, just
34 men have achieved the accolade of F1 World Champion. For the
first time, legendary F1 commentator Maurice Hamilton and
award-winning photographers Bernard and Paul-Henri Cahier bring the
heroes of this iconic sport together, in a stunning photographic
portrayal of the poise, skill and winning mindset that separates
the fast from the furious, the elite from the talented. Formula One
and its champions are brought to life with: An exquisitely written
profile of each of the 34 F1 World Champions, with key details from
the driver's life and F1 career Stunning photography of the drivers
and their cars, both on and off the track Historic interviews with
the sport's lost heroes, including James Hunt and Ayrton Senna
Exclusive quotes from icons such as Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton
and Nico Rosberg A foreword by Bernie Ecclestone, former chief
executive of the Formula One Group Debate has raged over which
driver is the best of the best. It is impossible to say. But that
will not deter energetic and informed discussion, usually
predicated on a personal preference swayed by affection. Each of
these champions will have experienced and delivered pulse-raising
performances many times over. With this handsome homage to the most
ferocious of sports and the incredible sportsmen who drive at the
edge in pursuit of greatness, it is time to choose your favorite F1
Champion.
Runways and Racers concentrates on the short transitional period,
1952-1954, for sports car racing in America following the ban on
public road racing in many of the States. The ban left the rapidly
expanding Sports Car Club of America with a problem: where to hold
races. At precisely the same time, Curtis LeMay, head of Strategic
Air Command, was having problems obtaining funds from Congress to
improve conditions on the many air bases located around the
country. The solution was a marriage of convenience, whereby the
SCCA was allowed access to active SAC air bases to hold its race
programmes. In return, the SAC base would receive the net profits
from the event, which would be put into the Airmen's Living
Improvement Fund. As a result of some initial financial success for
the SAC bases, the scheme was also adopted by non-SAC bases
together with regional clubs, with the same agreement in place.
Complaints from airmen alerted Congressman Errett Scrivner to
potential irregularities, and he ordered an audit to be conducted
to ascertain precisely what it was costing the air bases to host
the races. His findings led to the cessation of the races, ordered
by Congress. The product of a long period of extensive research by
the author, this book gives a fascinating insight into this
two-year period, complemented by over 150 period pictures, many
previously unpublished.
The first edition of this book was groundbreaking: an entire book
dedicated to F1 records and trivia, which proved hugely popular
with F1 enthusiasts and fans of racing statistics. This new second
edition is fully updated, with up-to-date stats, and an extended
narrative including many amusing, and some serious, stories from
the history of F1. There are performance records of every driver,
every car constructor, and every engine make to have taken part, a
detailed insight into the variety of qualifying procedures
throughout the years, a summary of regulation changes since 1950
and a quick reference guide to every grand prix result.
Performances are analysed by nationality, youngest/oldest,
fastest/slowest, consecutive wins, poles, most wins at different
circuits, and lots more. It's not just focused on drivers and cars,
but circuits, engines and tyres too. A comprehensive photographic
section depicts the changing scene of Formula 1 since its inception
in 1950. This book will be an invaluable reference book, that will
both entertain and provide definitive data at your fingertips.
Experience the ragged edge of road racing ... In over 120 stunning
full-colour photographs, Stephen Davison gives a thrilling insight
into the road racing scene and the lives of the riders. Join him
for some incredible action from star riders such as John
McGuinness, Robert Dunlop and Ryan Farquhar. And find out what goes
on away from the adrenaline-charged race scene - the long hours at
the day job that pays the for the racing; the longer nights in
small, draughty sheds building the bikes; the banter of the
paddock; the struggle to overcome the pain of crash injuries; the
abject misery of defeat and the sheer joy of the podium. Available
for the first time in paperback, this is a vivid and uncompromising
portrait of road racing by the sport's number one photographer.
This is the complete history of British international rally events,
starting with the very first RAC rally of 1932, which included 1000
miles of road motoring, when a mere three driving tests were needed
to produce a result. By 1951 an international permit had been
achieved, a speed element was included, and the 'Rally of the
Tests' ran until 1960. From 1961, the event took on a number of
high-speed, loose-surfaced Special Stages, the Scandinavian
influence became clear, and the event took on a World Championship
qualification in 1973. In that time, competing cars had progressed
from having perhaps 50bhp to at least 300bhp, and even more
high-tech machines with 500bhp and four-wheel-drive would follow.
By then the RAC Rally was - and remains in its present form as
Wales Rally GB - one of the three most important rallies in the
world. Every 'works' team makes sure that it is represented, and it
has a very important image throughout the world. Major sponsors
embraced the event from the 1960s - first The Sun and Daily Mirror,
then Lombard, and Network Q, and finally the Welsh government -
which in recent years has become a very high-profile showcase for
the world's most exciting cars. Few other British International
events have such a long and distinguished record. The 75th running
of this event takes place in 2019. With year-by-year accounts of
all events in the Rally's history, copiously illustrated with
period photographs, and covering the various challenges posed by
such crises as foot and mouth disease, weather conditions and
controversy over rules and regulations, this book is the definitive
guide.
Following in his late father's footsteps, Tai Woffinden made his
name as Britain's most successful speedway rider ever. Known for
his speed on the tracks and his quirky tattoos, he is a popular
figure within the sport and beyond it. With a vast array of titles
to his name, including youngest ever Grand Prix World Champion,
achieved at the age of twenty-three, Tai has come a long way from
his Scunthorpe roots. His love affair with speedway began when his
family emigrated to Australia while he was a child, where he became
a local champion while still at school. He has not been without his
share of struggles, however. In 2010, he lost his father, the
popular speedway rider Rob Woffinden, to cancer, which, combined
with issues within his team, resulted in a difficult season. Then,
in 2019, during his defence of his World Championship, he crashed
heavily during a race in Poland and was badly injured, breaking his
back. Such setbacks do not keep true champions down for long,
however - Tai will be back, to dazzle his thousands of fans with
his unique combination of flamboyant skill and raw courage. Told
with his trademark honesty and directness, his autobiography
provides an eye-opening insight into the life of one of speedway's
greatest talents and most beloved stars. (c) images; not to be
copied or reproduced without permission.
The 1980s was a momentous decade in Formula 1 and this book
captures its extraordinary drama. A superb range of 250 colour
photographs by Rainer Schlegelmilch, one of the greatest motor
racing photographers of all time, is supported by insightful
commentary from Quentin Spurring, who had the senior editorial role
on Autosport magazine for much of that decade. Alain Prost, Ayrton
Senna and Nigel Mansell all made their debuts in this decade and
became, with Nelson Piquet, the stars of the era - they were arch
rivals equipped, at one stage, with the most powerful racing
engines of all time. McLaren and Williams first established
themselves as regular winners in this period, and these teams, with
Ferrari, remain big players today. This was a decade when Formula 1
was transformed by political upheaval, technical innovation and
extended TV coverage, all of which laid the foundations for today's
globally popular sport.
The Ferrari GT Berlinettas are undeniably beautiful and, arguably,
the greatest Ferrari racing cars ever built. The 250 GT
Competizione Berlinetta - now popularly known as the Tour de France
Berlinetta, in honour of the model's domination of the great French
event with four outright victories - was the true forerunner of the
series of cars which established Ferrari as a major force in sports
car racing. Here is the story of the development, building and
racing of the Tour de France Ferraris. Importantly, the book also
contains individual histories of the Ferrari TdF Berlinettas. Out
of print for many years, this classic edition has been reissued in
paperback format, due to popular demand.
This second volume uncovers and traces the direct links between man
and machine. Keith's unique ability to unravel complexities and
establish simple, essential principles, provide both street and
race riders with real tools to think about, and understand for
themselves the problems of riding. The author says: "The ten years
since the publication of TWIST OF THE WRIST have been exciting ones
for motorcyclists. That volume was my first attempt to create a
'technology' of riding: I knew there was one, it was simply a
question of finding it. But TWIST OF THE WRIST II contains more
real riding technology and addresses the source of our classic
rider problems."
For fans all over the world the thrilling partnership of
Silverstone and Formula 1 has long represented one of the pinnacles
of motor sport. Here the broad sweep of Silverstone's Formula 1
history, a kaleidoscopic pageant of great cars and drivers, is
explored in a new and highly accessible way through nine specific
eras, each one delightfully and freshly illustrated: * The First
Grand Prix and International Trophy (1948-49) * Forza, Alfa! Forza,
Ferrari! (1950-51) * The Front-Engined Finale (1952-59) * Clark's
Dark Golden Age (1960-68) * The Stewart Dominance (1969-73) * The
Hunt-Lauda Epoch (1973-79) * Three Titans: Prost, Mansell and Senna
(1981-93) * The Schumacher Era (1994-2006) * New Heights: Hamilton
and The Wing (2007 onwards) This photographic history of
Silverstone and Formula 1 should appeal to motor racing fans
everywhere, as it neatly captures the essence of what the highest
level of a most demanding sport has meant to this very special
venue.
Total Competition is the most compelling, comprehensive and
revealing insight into what it takes to get to the top in Formula
One that has ever been published. Across four decades, Ross Brawn
was one of the most innovative and successful technical directors
and then team principals in Formula One. Leading Benetton, Ferrari,
Honda, Brawn and Mercedes, he worked with drivers such as Michael
Schumacher, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to make them world
champions. In 2017, he was appointed F1's managing director, motor
sports, by the sport's new owners Liberty Media. Now, in this
fascinating book written with Adam Parr (who was CEO and then
chairman of Williams for five years), he looks back over his career
and methods to assess how he did it, and where occasionally he got
things wrong. Total Competition is a definitive portrait of modern
motorsport. In the book, Brawn and Parr explore the unique
pressures of Formula One, their battles with Bernie Ecclestone, and
the cut-throat world they inhabited, where coming second is never
good enough. This book will appeal not only to the millions of
Formula One fans who want to understand how Brawn operates, it will
also provide many lessons in how to achieve your own business
goals. 'A must-have insight into the awe-inspiring career of a true
motor racing great' Daily Express
This book is the first in a multi-volume, decade-by-decade series
covering the entire history of Formula 1 through its teams and
cars. The series launches with the 1960s, when the British came to
predominate after the rule of Italian and German manufacturers in
the previous decade. All ten World Champions of the decade came
from the English-speaking world - Britain, the USA, Australia and
New Zealand - and most of the successful cars were British-built
too, from Cooper, BRM, Lotus and Brabham. This was an era when
small teams and privateers were involved in significant numbers and
they are all covered, all the way to the most obscure and
unsuccessful. This book shines new light on many areas of the sport
and will be treasured by all Formula 1 enthusiasts.Year-by-year
treatment covers each season in fascinating depth, running through
the teams - and their various cars - in order of importance.Works
teams form the core of the book: BRM, Ferrari and Lotus
participated throughout the decade, while Cooper, Porsche, Honda,
Brabham, Eagle, McLaren and Matra were the other winning
marques.Privateer teams in all their colourful diversity are a
special dimension of this book, topped by Rob Walker Racing, the
finest privateer operation in Formula 1 history, and a winner in
this decade with Stirling Moss and Jo Siffert. Privateers range
from well-known names to one-race wonders long forgotten by even
the most dedicated enthusiasts.Over 400 photos - in colour wherever
possible - show every type of car raced by every team, presenting a
comprehensive survey of all participants.The sweep of the decade
covers rapid technical development, including monocoque chassis,
ever-wider tyres and aerodynamic wings.Detailed text includes car
specifications and technical essentials.
'The story of Brawn GP is legendary... Exciting and magical.' Damon
Hill Foreword by Bernie Ecclestone ____________________________ The
full story of F1's incredible 2009 championship battle has never
been told. Until now. At the end of 2008, Nick Fry, then head of
Honda's F1 team, was told by his Japanese bosses that the motor
company was pulling out of F1. In response, Nick and chief engineer
Ross Brawn persuaded Honda to sell them the company for GBP1 - a
gamble that would take the team all the way to winning the 2009
Driver's and the Constructor's Championship with a borrowed engine,
a heavily adapted chassis and, at least initially, no sponsors.
Giving the inside track on the drivers, the rivalries, on
negotiating with Bernie Ecclestone and on hiring and working with
global superstars Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, Survive.
Drive. Win. is a gripping memoir of how one man found himself in
the driving seat for one of the most incredible journeys in the
history of motor sport. 'Nick Fry and Ed Gorman take us behind the
mysterious and tightly closed doors of F1 to tell the remarkable
story of the 2009 season.' Martin Brundle
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