Grand Prix Saboteur’s postscript

I very briefly scribbled some quick thoughts about what appears to be an extremely amazing book just over 1.5yrs ago... And I’ve still not picked up this book, upon noting how my book reading has been long suffering Back-marker-itus due to the konstant over indulging in the Kraft of word butcheredry...

Aye Karumba!

The book in question is; The Grand Prix Saboteurs, by Joe Saward and since my first report in April ’07, (SHEISA!) has now gone into its Second edition. The author is a frequent contributor to Grandprix.com and the book took Joe 18 years to complete, as it’s a tale about three Grand Prix drivers whom were also presumably spies during World War II.

Joe Saward has been named as Renault UK Author of the Year by The Guild of Motoring Writers for The Grand Prix Saboteurs

Peter Sharkey, The Birmingham Post;
“Probably the best sports book published so far this year. It is a compelling tale that will appeal not just to racing enthusiasts but to sports fans in general who will appreciate that even after being lauded as sporting megastars, some sportsmen and women remain capable of contributing so much more.”

The Life of Senna

Unfortunately, this along with a host of other books, is still awaiting consumption... Yet, the book itself looks most interesting and is quite long, weighing in at 498 pages and was most difficult to obtain, having procured it from Toronto Motorsports, as speculation seems to suggest that the book was never released stateside...

And the books author, Tom Rubython is even a more noted controversial persona, as he’s been the subject of several libel lawsuits, with many of his businesses having been “wound up,” or better known as; Out of business! As even Tom’s Wikipedia link proclaims it’s an Orphan article, stating:
“This article is orphaned as few or no other articles link to it. Please help introduce links to this subject in articles on topics related to it. (April 2008)”

The Life of Senna

Matchett’s Lord ‘O Mechanics

As you may know, I’m quite fond of Professor Steve Matchett, whose part of the SPEED TV Formula 1’s Four Musketeers’ broadcasting crew... But did you know that Steve has also penned three racing books, prior to his career taking off at SPEED?

And shame on me, but I’ve only managed to read the first part of his trilogy; Life in the Pit Lane: Mechanic's Story of the Benetton Grand Prix Year, which I obtained in hardback many moons ago from an out of print re-seller. I’ve since picked up the second & third volumes; The Mechanic's Tale : Life in the Pit-Lanes of Formula One and The Chariot Makers in paperback, where they’re both parked in the garage awaiting my perusal. But I urge you to check ‘em out...

Official History of the Indianapolis 500

This is a fantastic book and a definite must for anybody who’s an Indy Car fan. as its chock full of great pictures and antidotes about the Brickyard’s history and I’ve been perusing selected chapters recently.

I picked up my copy after meeting the very pleasant Donald Davidson, whom I nicknamed D-Squared, so as not to be cornfused with the other Double D, the irrepressible Derrick Daly! Yet, I strongly recommend this book.

Autocourse Official History of the Indianapolis 500

Miller

I’ve just purchased this book solely for a future project I’m currently working on. Yet, it’s easy reading and very informative about one of the greatest American racing cars ever, and If you’re curious in the old timers of yester-year, then check it out, although I think its out of print?

The book in question is titled:Miller
Written by: Griffith Borgeson

The book was found on the Reccomended Books section of:
The Miller/Offenhauser Historical Society

Eagle Racing Cars

This book was recommended to me by Indiana Bureau Chief Danny B, who knew that I’d previously read Gurney’s Eagles, along with having an infinity for Messer Gurney, whom I’ve had the privilege of meeting twice.

Dan Gurney’s Eagle Racing Cars

Penske Racing Team History

This was another book recommended to me by Danny B, but I had already picked it up and have read several passages of it, particularly to help me correct a previous story written about McLarens at Indy; in which Indee 500 fact cheeker Danny B had noticed some mistakes, see; Penske at Indy.

It’s a nice little book with the forward by Tom Sneva, full of info and pictures, and one day I’ll get around to finishing reading it... Along with all of my other books!

Penske Racing Team: 40 Years of Excellence

Thanks Rick Mears

As previously noted in The Baddest Bad Asses... Rick Mears has always been the consummate gentleman and one HELLAH of a racer...

And it seems incredulous that today’s up ‘N comers of the Firestone Indy Lights would be hesitant to seek his advice and wisdom as a racing consultant to the championship. I mean c’mon, he’s only one of three four time Indy 500 winners!

And being written by Gordon Kirby, one of motor racings great author’s you just know it’ll be a good book along with the multitude of personal Mears “Gang” photographs... Thus, this is another book for mwah to add to my shopping list!

Rick Mears: Thanks

"Double D's" Racing to win

I previously learned about this book, when Messer Daly was a guest on the Autosport Radio Show way back in January. (Jan. 29 if you want to listen to the archive) and he was there to talk about his track designing, book and son’s racing career.

Derek Daly
What do you say about this man? A true racer at heart. Having driven in Formula 1 and IndyCars during his racing career, he has not strayed from racing since.
From his television work to a driving school Derek has always supported motorsports. He now has added another chapter to business world... that of track designer.

Derek worked Prairie Hills Motor Club to design a facility that can accommodate most any division of sports cars for most any type racing they wish to do.

Derek has also authored the newly released book "Race To Win".On top of all this, his son Conor is rapidly making a name for himself in the world of motorsports. Look for another Daly to come along soon to a race track near you.
(Source: Autosport Radio)

Q & A with Derrick Daly

Joie Ray

Although I’m not a Dirt Track/Midget enthusiast… There was a very interesting interview on Autosport Radio yesterday, as I’d never heard of racing pioneer Joie Ray, nor the book’s author Pat Sullivan…

What made this so interesting to me was that it’s all about an African American who broke the colour barrier in Motor Racing the same year as Jackie Robinson did in Baseball… Yet, that was NEVER Joie Ray’s concern; he just wanted to race cars!

The author Pat Sullivan has done an amazing amount of research on the subject and also presents the book in great fashion, by telling tales of how Joie made his way into racing with the help of many of the elite Dirt Track Drivers of the day…

The book sounds like quite a fascinating read and you can learn more about it at: American Scene Press: Brick by Brick

Pat Sullivan
At a number of tracks where the IndyCar Series runs around the country and at many short tracks in the Mid-West, you are likely to hear Pat on the PA.
When it comes to the history of the short tracks, the drivers and, yes, the history of the cars, Pat is a walking encyclopedia of information. How fitting it is the Pat would undertake the task of putting the history of a true auto racing pioneer... Joie Ray in book form. "Brick by Brick", released April 13th (the first anniversary of Joie's death), is the story from his first days on Earth through his racing career and the influences that made him the man he was. With the attitude in America at the time, Joie never carried a chip on his shoulder, only a smile and a good word to all.”

To checkout the Joie Ray interview, go to the Autosport Radio Archive section and click on the 2006 Archives; December 19th link...
(Source: Autosport Radio)