Sports & Recreation

When Fiat entered rallying in 1970, its ultimate aim was to become World Rally Champion - and the 131 Abarth of 1976-1980 provided the machinery to make that possible. Within the Fiat-Lancia empire, the 131 Abarth not only replaced the 124 Abarth Spider sports car, but was also favoured ahead of the charismatic Lancia Stratos. By 1970s standards, the 131 Abarth was the most extreme, and effective, of all homologation specials. Compared with the 131 family car on which it was originally based, it had different engine, transmission and suspension layouts, was backed by big budgets and by a team of superstar drivers, and was meant to win all round the world.
Not only did it start winning World rallies within months of being launched, but in 1977, 1978 and 1980 the 'works' team also won the World Championship for Makes, and set every standard by which Rally Giants were to be judged. The 131 Abarth was backed by a peerless team of engineers, so was there ever any doubt that successors like the Lancia Rally 037 and the Delta Integrale would eventually come from the same stable?

This is the authorised biography of one of the best-liked bad boys in British motorsport. John Chatham, driver, racer, repairer, rebuilder, tuner, trader and lover of Austin-Healeys, was in the words of Geoffrey Healey "uncontrollable" in his youth, and has only mildly mellowed with age. Burly and genial but formidably competitive, and not above bending the rules when he thought he could get away with it, to many he is the archetypal club racer. John is so synonymous with Austin-Healeys that the most famous racing Healey in the world, DD300, is so well-known mainly because John campaigned it for decades, notching up tens of thousands of racing miles. But his career embraces far more than one car, and until this biography no-one had attempted to fill in the gaps.
The book is not a dry description of one club race after another. It does include a list of John's principal sporting achievements, but no complete record exists of the hundreds of events which made up his competitive career, so the writer has not attempted to compile one. Instead Norman Burr, who was himself acquainted with John in his youth, has created a more rounded and personal account, full of motoring and sporting anecdotes, but also telling the story of John's family, his work, his business, his three wives and his lovers. John has a comprehensive photo library from which the book is generously illustrated, with cartoons added to illustrate some of the moments that a camera was not around to record. Thoroughly politically incorrect even by the standards of the 1960s, it's an account which will strike a chord not only with admirers of Big Healeys, but also with anyone who believes that independent thinking, and the courage to apply and enjoy it, is the greatest virtue of all.

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.

What reviewers said about the 1st edition:
"This is the most amazing book. In this latest thing, the author has surpassed himself. This book gives you the facts about every aspect of Formula 1 you could possibly want to know, and a good deal more besides." - Bulletin of the British Racing Drivers' Club

"The most comprehensive compilation of Formula 1 ever. Simply outstanding - you may know a lot about F1 - but here you have more, completely undiscovered items, oceans of F1 trivia to explore." - Gran Turismo, Sweden

"A magnificent book. You can get to know absolutely everything on F1, rigorously documented compilation of the most exciting moments of F1 history. Essential for the 'geek' library all Formula 1. A new way of understanding F1." - Auto-Hebdo Sports, Spain

"Weird triumphs, heroic failures, unfeasible stats, beyond belief coincidences! It's the story of f1 like you've never read it before. A fest of nerdy entertainment as well as definitive data." - Car Magazine

"Every Formula 1 fan will be amazed by this book, simply because they will discover so much they didn't know. A treat for all fans. Nothing less than the best book for Formula 1 statistics and curiosities." - Speedweek.com, Switzerland

Formula 1 encapsulates our love affair with the car, our obsession with speed, and our insatiable desire to win. Its blend of glamour, worldwide reach, and the intrigue of power politics makes it a seductive concoction for fans around the globe. Over four editions, the 'Formula 1 All the Races' series has chronicled the captivating narrative of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship on a race-by-race-by-race basis. Now, as the race-count climbs to an astonishing 1,125 at the end of 2024, Formula 1's 75th season provides the perfect opportunity for a fifth edition that not only brings the story bang up to date, but explores ‘The Liberty Years’, perhaps the most transformative period for Formula 1 technically, commercially and philosophically: is it sport or entertainment? In late 2016, Liberty Media Corporation, a prominent American owned company with a business focus in media, communications and entertainment, bid to acquire the commercial rights for Formula 1. It marked the beginning of a new era and is the most far-reaching expression of US involvement and influence on the sport to date, but by no means the first.

This edition includes an additional focus on the many significant contributions from US drivers, teams, circuits, suppliers and sponsors from 1950 to the present day. The United States has left an indelible mark on Formula 1, shaping its trajectory and contributing to its status as ‘The Pinnacle of Motorsport’. Join this celebration of 75 years of Formula 1: The fastest sport on the planet.

"Tales from the Toolbox" is a unique collection of behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes as told, in their own words, by former Grand Prix mechanics who have worked at the top level of the sport during the past 50 years.
On the front line of the sport, mixing with drivers and team bosses, they saw a side of it that nobody else got to see and rarely gets to hear about - and this book tells their story.
Chapters are themed around a particular aspect of a mechanic's life, ranging from what they consider the highs and lows of their career, to their opinions of drivers and team bosses, the all-nighters, letting off steam, the 'Mechanic's Gallon,' nightmare journeys and customs capers. It also reveals a tale of camaraderie between teams and individual mechanics which is hard to imagine in today's highly competitive Formula One environment.
The stories are supplemented by photographs from the archives and photo albums of the mechanics themselves, many of which are previously unseen.

In June 1978, 11 years after he quit Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Mike Hailwood returned to the Isle of Man TT races, probably the most prestigious, and certainly the most demanding, road race in the world. On a privately entered V-twin Ducati he won the Formula One race, beating the works Hondas of Phil Read and the late John Williams, and breaking the lap and race records.
It may have seemed a fluke; it was certainly a fairy tale that continued into 1979, when he was fifth in the Formula One race, despite losing top gear and his battery, first in the Senior, and second by only 3.4 seconds in the Classic - probably the finest and closest-fought race the Island has ever seen, Hailwood proved, if anyone doubted, that he was still the greatest motorcycle racer of all time.
This book, written by his manager and friend, Ted Macauley, is the account of his dramatic comeback, from the original wild idea to his final race. More than this, though, it is a study of a remarkable man in a remarkable world, and of the races, the machines, and the men
who ride them.
This edition contains new images and an interview with Pauline Hawthorne.

When Don Devendorf and John Knepp got together to form Electramotive Engineering of El Segundo, California, little did they realise that they were setting in motion a train of events which would sooner, rather than later, bring to them and the mighty Nissan GTP cars that they promoted, developed and raced, no less than four IMSA Camel GT Championships.
Here, for the first time, is the story of Nissan in racing from 1984 to 1993, the GTP era. The full story of Electramotive and NPTI is told, with interviews with Don Devendorf, John Knepp, Geoff Brabham, Trevor Harris, Kas Kastner, Ashley Page, and many other members of the crew that won the IMSA Camel GT Championship from 1988 to 1991.
The story of the European Group C Nissans, using chassis from March and Lola, from 1985 to 1992 is also told, along with interviews from many of the drivers and technicians involved, such as Mark Blundell, Julian Bailey, Dave Price and Bob Bell.

The Le Mans 24 Hours is the ultimate endurance race, a true test of man and machine. It is a classic feature of the motorsport calendar, attracting more than 250,000 people to the track every year to see one of the greatest spectacles in racing.
Shot over two years, this book's unique panoramic photographs (60cm/almost 2 feet wide!) give an incredibly real sense of the many aspects that make up the total Le Mans experience: the sun setting on night time qualifying, sprawling fan camp sites, and the elation as battered cars complete the epic race.
The photos in the book were taken at the height of the battle between Audi and Peugeot for dominance of the track. Featuring the R15, 908 and R18, as well as the other great marques of Le Mans, including Aston Martin, Corvette, Ferrari, and Porsche, this book is a timeless tribute to the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The differences between running an Indy car on a road circuit and an oval are described, as is the struggle to get the best from a car for the Indy 500 - a task which is described with unusual clarity. Nigel also tells the story of the 'Big Beast' - the Mercedes pushrod engine that won the 1994 Indy 500.
Sharing in detail his own view of the importance of suspension geometry, and how it deviates from present practices, this book also includes personal views on the Penske years from a number of motor sport figures, and those of a rival Indy car designer Bruce Ashmore. A fascinating first-hand behind-the-scenes insight.
Included in the story is considerable detail of Nigel's eight years spent with the Firestone European Racing Division, covering an area vital to racing car performance, plus the relationship between a tyre company and its leading contracted team. The 60s and 70s were rife with tyre wars, and many interesting stories unfolded during those decades. With descriptions of the importance of the Race Engineer to the driver, and to a team's competitiveness, Nigel offers detailed insight to how an engineer worked with a car and tuned its set-up in an era before computer readouts and telemetry came to dominate.

Covering almost 100 years of motor racing history, humanity, not simple statistics, is revealed here as the true source of the subjects' heroism. Take Andre Boillot; so tired at the end of the 1919 Targa Florio, he made a silly mistake, spinning his car backwards across the finish line - yet he still won. Or Grand Prix winners Robert Benoist, William Grover Williams and Jean-Pierre Wimille, all of whom became French resistance fighters during WWII. There's David Purley's valiant attempt at rescuing a trapped Roger Williamson by overturning Willamson's blazing march with his bare hands during the 1973 Grand Prix of Holland. And Alessandro Zanardi, who lost both his legs in a CART accident, yet still came back to win races.
The lighter side of motor sport is also here, with Giannino Marzotto, who won the 1950 Mille Miglia wearing an immaculate double-breasted suit. Or Giovanni Bracco, who won the 1952 Mille Miglia as he swigged from a bottle of red wine!
There are so many heroes and heroines in this sport. This book is about 100 of them.

1952 was one of the most important years in Mercedes-Benz racing history; after a 13-year absence, the marque returned to motor sport competition with an automobile that rewrote the history of modern sports car racing.
The 300 SL's debut was the culmination of a long, difficult road back to racing for Mercedes-Benz. This book vividly depicts the 300 SL's performance in the five races in which it competed in 1952, and tells the story of how it became the most successful competition sports car of that year. Through dramatic photographs, and equally stirring text, one of the greatest years of sports car racing is brought to life, filled with automobiles often finished in national racing colours, prepared by great factory teams, driven by men who were national sporting idols, and raced under gruelling conditions unique to the age.
From its Mille Miglia debut, through the Nurburgring, the Le Mans 24 Hours, to its greatest race, the Carrera Panamericana, the 300 SL's career from conception to retirement is presented, culminating with a detailed photographic essay illustrating restoration of the oldest 300 SL in existence.

Short oval racing (Hot Rod and Stock Car Racing) was, and remains, one of the best supported forms of motor racing in the country, in terms of both competitors and spectators.
Hot Rod and Stock Car Racing had seen packed terraces throughout the sixties and seventies, as the public went to local circuits each week to cheer on local heroes (and, of course, see the crash and bash). The sport much developed through these two decades, and arrived in the eighties as a slick, professional-looking sport which now boasted national rather than local heroes.
Whilst the top level of the sport became more costly, the promoters began to introduce new classes to cater for the drivers who had become left behind in the race for purpose-built equipment. These new classes were to be the training ground for the star drivers of the future.
This is the first work on the sport in the 1980s, and shows how the existing formulae developed throughout the decade, and how UK promoters continued to work together to keep the sport at a truly national (and in some classes international) level.
Complete with 100 nostalgic, mainly colour pictures of racing throughout the decade, and a comprehensive listing of major championship dates, venues and winners.

The decade between 1960 and 1970 saw British racing singles reach the peak of their development, a time in which exciting racing unfolded at circuits across the land every weekend, and the decade of Bob McIntyre, Derek Minter, Mike Hailwood, Phil Read, Bill Ivy and Peter Williams.
Racing Line documents the period from the introduction of the G50 Matchless, up to the advent of the Yamaha TR2, and the birth of the two-stroke era - a period of immense change. Britain during the 1960s wasn't only a nation of pop music and fashion; it was a decade crammed with the most competitive racing in the history of motorcycle sport. Racing Line tells this story - the riders, the machines, the drama and the excitement.

Thruxton has been described as "the UK's Speedbowl." The circuit is home to the prestigious British Automobile Racing Club, and during the period covered by this book the author was editor of the club's magazine. As a result, he was able to get behind the scenes at many of the events, including F2, British Touring Cars, Aurora AFX F1, and club races.
In the 1980s Thruxton featured in the early careers of many Formula One drivers, and the book records the early performances of such luminaries as Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Derek Warwick, Alan McNish, Mike Thackwell, Mika Hakkinen, and many more. Featuring many previously unpublished photographs from the author's personal collection, this is an insightful account of racing at one of the fastest motor racing circuits in the UK.

Changes to regulations for sports car racing in the late 1970s paved the way for a golden era of endurance racing in the 80s, with the likes of Porsche, Lancia, Jaguar and Mercedes all vying for the World Sportscar Championship. The Silverstone 6-Hour and 1000km races became a cornerstone of this Championship and the event was often used by the teams as a warm-up to the all-important Le Mans 24-Hour race, which followed it.
This book charts the progress of the races, year-by-year from 1976, through the era of the Group C cars, up to the end of the eighties, with previously unpublished accounts and photographs of each event. It includes maps of the circuit, showing changes over the years and detailed results from each of the races.
As an ordinary spectator, Chas Parker visited each of the events (except one) over the years, and amassed an impressive collection of colour transparencies taken from the spectator enclosures, the paddock, and during pits walkabouts.

Formula 1’s 75th anniversary on May 13, 2025, marks a landmark in motorsport history—a celebration of speed, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. From the inaugural race at Silverstone in 1950 to today, F1 has hosted 1,131 Grand Prix events, crowned 34 World Champions, and delivered countless unforgettable moments.

The 100 Greatest Races captures the essence of F1’s unparalleled legacy. This exhilarating collection dives into the most iconic battles, from edge-of-your-seat photo finishes and masterful drives in the rain to heroic comebacks and shocking upsets. Each race is a tribute to the courage, precision, and brilliance that define the sport.

Penned by leading F1 experts Roger Smith and Kevin Turner, with a foreword by former F1 driver and expert pundit Karun Chandhok, this unofficial chronicle curated by experts presents the ultimate top 100 races. Using a meticulous rating system, the authors sift through over 1,000 Grand Prix events, organizing them into ten captivating themes. Each chapter crowns its top three races before culminating in the definitive ranking of Formula 1’s all-time greatest.

Enriched with breathtaking photography and compelling narratives, The 100 Greatest Races takes fans on a thrilling journey through the highs, lows, and timeless magic of F1. Relive the glory, feel the passion, and celebrate the races that have shaped the sport into the global phenomenon it is today.

Powered by Porsche - the Alternative Race Cars is a thorough and fascinating account of the racing cars that were powered by Porsche engines, but where the chassis and development of the car was carried out by others.
The Porsche company in Zuffenhausen, Germany, can probably be said to be the most successful marque ever for victories in the motor racing scene. Likewise many firsts in innovation have come with the name Porsche attached.
Many major racing car producers such as Elva, Lotus, Lola, or March, as well as many smaller independents, at some time featured a Porsche engine in their chassis. Demand for the services and supply of cars, chassis, and parts from Porsche, often outstripped their ability to deliver during the late '70s to early '80s. With many new projects in the rapidly expanding Porsche organisation, race car projects had to be prioritised. This would lead to the creation of the replicas, as opposed to the factory-built works race cars, and even Porsche was building 'replica' 935s to supply to clients, continuing into the 962 era. In turn, a whole new, highly specialised, high quality industry grew up to meet the demand for Porsche-powered racers.
In this fascinating book we meet the racing cars, the teams and the people who turned to Porsche to utilise the power from, perhaps, the greatest of all engine makers.
This is thought to be first book on the subject, covering the entire history of Porsche engines, detailed engine specifications, non-Porsche chassis, and race details, as well as team histories with anecdotes from drivers. It is illustrated with many previously unpublished photos, and provides fascinating reading for all racing fans, as well as Porsche enthusiasts.

Bill Snelling reflects on his lifetime passion for two-wheeling in this entertaining, motorcycle-themed autobiography. He recalls the decades of motorcycling mayhem, mud and madness that have characterised his 70-odd years living the dream, from the early days at Arthur Lavington's Velo shop to pounding the long-distance trials and the many race circuits he has ridden. Bill admits he was better off-road than on tarmac, but he did win one race! He went on to work for Motorcycle Sport magazine, and as a dispatch rider, before moving permanently to the Isle of Man.
A great read for anyone interested in British motorcycle sports.

Here is the full and rarely-told story of Toyota's recent and highly-successful World Rally Championship campaign, undertaken by its motorsport subsidiary, Gazoo Racing.
Beginning with a look back at Toyota's early days in the rallying arena, the book quickly moves on to cover each and every WRC entry made by Gazoo, detailing technical changes and the drivers that brought the team victory along the way. Each season from 2017 to the end of 2024 includes full results and a summary for quick reference, as well as a stunning selection of photography sourced from the factory.

An electric bicycle is, quite simply, a normal bicycle with an added battery and electric motor that just about doubles your pedal power - able to waft up hills and into headwinds, they take the sweat out of cycling, and give you supercharged legs!
How long does the battery last? Are they expensive to run? Do you need a licence and insurance?
This book is a complete buyer's guide to electric bicycles, and it answers all of these questions and more. Outlining the advantages (and pitfalls), with an overview of the types of bike available, what to look for, and why you should buy one, you'll also find useful contacts such as importers, websites and magazines, with advice on where you can ride and the law, including new legislation coming in 2017.
Battery charging and maintenance is described, as well as some basic cycle maintenance, and there's an analysis of running costs and a look at the world of easy cycling they open up - electric bikes are not just for holidays.

Recounting a time of unparalleled access to the highest level of motor-racing, this is an informal, personal record of the people, the cars, and the events from that golden era, gloriously illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs.
Coverage includes GP and non-championship F1 racing, plus Formula 2 and 3, Sports, GT and Saloon car racing.
Now, a generation later, many of the cars and drivers shown here in their heyday can be found appearing at historic race meetings, drawing crowds approaching the size of those seen at modern Formula One, touring car, and motorcycle events.
The author's personal recollections are complemented by contributions from one of the foremost racing mechanics of his day, Bob Dance. A unique combination, and a unique book.

After the first ever intercontinental rally - the London-Sydney in 1968 - there was widespread enthusiasm for an even more difficult test. With the Football World Cup being held in Mexico in 1970, it was the perfect opportunity to hold a parallel, much tougher challenge - the World Cup Rally.
Organisers John Sprinzel and John Brown secured sponsorship from the Daily Mirror and planned a unique high-speed event, lasting six weeks and covering 16,000 miles from London to Mexico City via some of the most varying, tortuous and difficult terrain on three continents.
Serious works teams such as Ford and British Leyland spent tremendous amounts choosing and developing new cars, completing months-long route surveys, and analysing every detail of diets, oxygen provision, and the number of crew members. Despite all this planning, out of an entry of more than 100, only 23 cars made it to the finish.
It was then, and remains now, the toughest rally of all time.

After saving Alfa Romeo from oblivion in 1987, it took Fiat nearly five years to debut the first new Alfa produced under its control. This is the story of how the competition versions of the 155/156/147 family of cars were developed and subsequently raced to many championship titles and race wins.
Alfa Romeo's 155 saloon was a comprehensively successful racing touring car that won the German and world-wide DTM Championship, and later ITC races. The model also took on the role of representing the company in national touring car championships throughout the world, most notably winning the British Touring Car Championship in 1994.
The 156 was Alfa's successor to the 155 and was also raced with much success. This book follows the development and competition history of this model too, along with its sibling, the 147. Together, these models kept the Alfa Romeo name at the pinnacle of motor sport for many years, from 1992 to 2006, and will become future motorsport classics.

Jack Findlay: The fearless privateer who became the heart and soul of the legendary Continental Circus.

For nearly 30 years, a group of daring motorcycle riders toured Europe, competing on perilous circuits. Driving small vans loaded with their racing motorcycles, they formed a nomadic spectacle that came to be known as the Continental Circus. While some riders gained fame through races that contributed to world championships, many remained unsung heroes. The 1969 movie Continental Circus celebrated these brave racers—individuals who risked their lives for the sheer love and passion of the sport.

Among these fearless riders was Australian Jack Findlay, a legendary figure who became a role model for the ‘modern gladiators’ of motorcycle racing. Known as the ‘best privateer in the world’, Findlay’s immense talent and unshakable determination set him apart as he competed against factory-backed superstars with far greater resources. He embodied the very spirit of the Continental Circus and all it stood for.

This book delves into Jack Findlay’s extraordinary journey, honouring a solitary yet immensely gifted and resilient rider who defined an era of motorcycle racing.

Laced with fascinating anecdotes, Raymond Mays' Magnificent Obsession reveals a pivotal figure in motor sport history, and describes the author's enthusiasm for BRM, detailing his visit to Raymond Mays, in Eastgate House, Bourne, in 1963.
Focussing on Mays' early years and successes in motor racing in the 1920s, this book follows his progress to becoming a national celebrity. His famous White Riley's successes at Shelsley Walsh and Brooklands are covered, leading on to the building of the ERAs, which - led by Mays himself - represented the UK in voiturette races on the Continent. ERA's story unfolds with references to all the races in which the team took part.
After WWII, Mays' achievement in building an all-British Grand Prix car, with the financial support of the British Motor Industry, is detailed, going on to describe how, after many changes, a BRM driven by Graham Hill won the 1962 World Championship.
With the help of Mays' letters to the author, this book covers the whole history of BRM, until its demise in 1976.

This book celebrates the extraordinary sporting legacy behind the name Alfa Romeo, and is a unique record of every type of Alfa Romeo associated with official and, at times, not so official Alfa sporting achievements from 1945 to the present day.

This photographic album and record consists entirely of period photographs, many previously unpublished, with a full description of each car’s sporting achievement. With many years of research behind the content, it is the most definitive photographic guide to the history of Alfa Romeo in motorsport.

Gary 'Sox' Hocking raced against the likes of Geoff Duke, Mike Hailwood and John Surtees, and eventually became double world champion - yet his name remains largely forgotten. He retired at an early stage in his career, and the explanation so often given for this ultimately proved far removed from the real reason.
Roger Hughes' fascinating book is a positive celebration of Hocking's life and career. Stories reveal how he went from riding a motorbike to work to becoming world champion - a riveting journey, made more so by being told by those who were close to him. Gary's decision to move to car racing because it was safer, only to then be killed in a car, makes for a tragic end to his tale. This book explores the many suggestions as to how the accident happened.
With photos covering Hocking's early career racing Nortons in South Africa, through to his final motorcycle ride, at the 1962 Isle of Man TT - a win that was, in many ways, so important to him - this book is a fitting tribute to a forgotten champion.

Reg May has put pen to paper to create a record of iconic and historic races, including such classics as the 1955 Mille Miglia, and the 1957 German Grand Prix - races that the author has heard and read about or attended since his childhood, and that have left a lasting impression.
With personal opinions, careful observations, and measured reflections on motor racing in general, Reg has added his own personal experiences of motor racing and, in so doing, penned a volume that excites as well as informs the reader.
Reg injects his infectious enthusiasm for the sport, whilst painting a vivid picture of each event and its backdrop, Racing with Heroes captures the atmosphere of these great races, immersing the reader in the action as history is made.

Most people with an interest in motor sport will be familiar with the acronym N.A.R.T., yet few people profess to know too much about the North American Racing Team.
Starting in the the second half of the 1950s, NART existed for three decades, during which it experienced successes on the tracks of America and Europe. It also suffered financial difficulties, and arguments with track organisers.
This book explains what NART was, how it was formed, and what it achieved over three decades of competition. It wasn't just sports cars that were entered into races, NART entered Formula One cars and Formula Junior cars as well.
Never as financially stable as his rival team owners, Chinetti did deals with Ferrari to purchase the latest specification sports cars at the end of a season, in order to attract the best drivers to drive for NART. It was also an opportunity to lease the cars on a race-by-race basis, an arrangement that appealed to some of Chinetti's clientele.
Whilst success on the track was significant, problems were never far away. Working on the cars with a limited number of staff, and not receiving spares from Ferrari on time, NART always appeared to be in a state of crisis.
No matter … despite the difficulties, the formula worked well for Luigi Chinetti, and the acronym N.A.R.T. has rightly become legendary.

Few people have been as deeply involved in motorcycle sport as Chris Carter, a larger than life character and raconteur who was for a great number of years a journalist, commentator and broadcaster at the very top level of motorcycle sport.
This memoir is a funny, fascinating and unique insider view of professional motorcycling over more than six decades. From scrambling in the 1960s, to four decades of international road racing - including Daytona and Macau - as well as trials and speedway. Packed with remarkable stories and amusing anecdotes, as well as interesting reflections and astute observations, it is a light-hearted, highly readable autobiography which lifts the lid on an extraordinary world.
In past times, racing paddocks were open and friendly, and Chris felt part of a big, happy family. He lived cheek by jowl with the very top riders and shared their triumphs and tragedies; to many, he was a friend and confidante. Honest, frank and direct, Chris tells things exactly as they were, and provides insights into a fast disappearing world.

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.

Trans-Am Challengers: The Story Behind Detroit's Racing Revolution

In April 1964, Ford’s Mustang pony car stormed onto the scene, igniting a sales phenomenon that forced Detroit’s other automakers to scramble to create their own competitors. Around the same time, the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) was transforming from a purely amateur organisation into a professional racing powerhouse, introducing prize-money championships.

By 1966, the SCCA launched two landmark series: the Canadian-American Challenge Cup (Can-Am) and the Trans-American Sedan Championship (Trans-Am). While Can-Am focused on unlimited FIA Group 7 sports cars, Trans-Am catered to FIA Group 2 touring cars, with classes divided by engine sizes: up to 2000cc and 2001-5000cc. The Over-2000cc class was crafted specifically with the Mustang in mind, ensuring Ford’s interest and leveraging the growing pony car wars.

Chevrolet answered Ford’s Mustang with the launch of the Camaro in September 1966, sparking fierce competition on the track and in showrooms. Soon, Mercury, Pontiac, Dodge, Plymouth, and AMC joined the fray, turning the Trans-Am series into a battleground for Detroit’s ‘Big Four’. Manufacturers saw Trans-Am success as a path to dominance, investing heavily in developing race-ready cars and unleashing low-production homologation specials like the Mustang Boss 302, Camaro Z28, Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am, AMC Javelin Mark Donohue Edition, Dodge Challenger T/A, and Plymouth ’Cuda AAR—now some of the rarest and most valuable classic American cars.

Beyond the famous Mustang and Camaro rivalry, this book uncovers the untold stories of their challengers and the relentless pursuit of sales glory. Mercury nearly claimed the championship in 1967, and AMC triumphed in 1971 and 1972 with Penske Racing. The fierce competition left an indelible mark on American motorsport history.

A chapter also explores lesser-known contenders from outside the U.S., such as Ford Falcon Sprints in the British Saloon Car Championship and the powerful Holden Monaros and Ford Falcons that dominated Australian circuits.

This is more than just a tale of Mustang versus Camaro—it’s the story of an era when Detroit’s finest fought to conquer the track and the showroom floor, leaving a legacy of engineering brilliance and motorsport passion.

Two Summers offers a fresh, revealing and highly personal look at the culture of Grand Prix racing as it was during the 1954 and 1955 championships, with individual portraits of the twelve races in which the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R participated.
This book explores the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R's historic roots, development, and its place in Grand Prix racing, detailing its triumphs, struggles and disappointments, as well as the spirited challenges from Maserati, Ferrari, Gordini and Lancia.
With carefully crafted observations and conclusions, given added drama by richly detailed illustrations, this book captures the energy and dynamic nature of these racing seasons, and shows that Juan Fangio was indeed the ultimate master of the art and science of racing a Grand Prix automobile; the W 196 R the instrument with which he honed his skills. This book captures the decisive moments when victory - hanging in the balance - tilted in Fangio's favor, due to his iron discipline, and steady hand on the wheel.
The W 196 R's racing days may be long gone, but the car remains a shining star of Mercedes-Benz' participation in motor sport heritage events worldwide. It is this timeless appeal of the W 196 R that gives Two Summers its vitality, charm and enduring attraction.

The decade between 2004 and 2014 was one of the most dramatic eras in the century-old history of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, which began with the races in decline, and many observers fearing that they would soon be killed off by a combination of rising costs, political correctness and logistical practicalities. But, just a few years later, the triumphant 2007 celebration of the races' centenary launched the TT into a whole new era of public and commercial success.
With growing public interest and awareness, road racing became established as a specialist sport in its own right. Media interest soared; a feature length documentary took cinemas by storm worldwide, and a new generation of technocrats hastened to the island to develop zero emissions motorbike racing.
All of these events unfolded under the gaze of Charlie Lambert, appointed TT Anchor Commentator by Manx Radio in 2004. In TT Talking, Charlie tells the story of the TT's sensational turn of fortune, whilst simultaneously lifting the lid on his role behind the microphone in this story. Revealing the pressures, the controversies, the laughs and the sadness that go with being at the heart of the world's most famous - and controversial - road races.

The growth of sports car racing in Northeast America was not painless. Tragedy, mystery, subterfuge, intrigue, and an adherence to a particular club philosophy all featured in its story during the 1950s, when professionalism in the sport was always bubbling under the surface.
The northeast area of America has long been considered the cradle of post World War II sports car racing; the Sports Car Club of America was founded there, and it was the entry point to America for a host of European sports cars. Early in the 1950s, road races had been permitted by some State authorities, but due to fatal accidents a ban on such racing came into effect. Forced to find alternative venues, the motor clubs were attracted to civil airports and a few military bases. But the drivers craved more challenging venues on which to hone their skills. This resulted in a few individuals chancing their reputation - and a great deal of money - and opening purpose-built circuits.
This book gives a unique insight into this intriguing journey through the decade. Extensively researched, the compelling story and stunning contemporary photos, many previously unpublished, paint a fascinating portrait of a nascent sport coming into its own.

Filling the many gaps in Formula 1 records, this book re-writes the racing history books.
The history of F1 can be neatly divided into two eras, the first formally ending January 1980 when the terms `Grand Prix` and `World Championship` became synonymous, although there would be three more non-championship races after that date. However, up to January 1973 OVER HALF of F1 races were NOT included in the Championship results for the spurious reason that each country should have just a single F1 race.
The classification of many F1 races as 'non-Championship' did a disservice to the achievements of drivers of the Fangio, Moss, Clark and Stewart era and, even more-so, to the four pre-Championship years which began in 1946. When, today, a commentator says "Rosberg's 16th win equals the F1 wins of Stirling Moss" this is manifestly untrue. If the same drivers, in the same F1 cars, compete at the same tracks, and over a similar distance, then each race deserves to have its place in the records as a 'Championship quality' event. This book includes such races alongside contemporary Championship races and, combined with known figures since 1980, produces what can surely be accepted as 'The Real Score' of Formula 1.

This unique book is the third in the series of “Wonderful Walks from Dog-friendly Campsites”. Like the previous two books it combines the joys of camping with the delights of walking with your dog. Here can be found information on a variety of good value campsites throughout the UK, all of which welcome dogs, with some providing special facilities for your pet.

All the campsites are located very close to footpaths and walking trails. In addition to identifying the distinctive characteristic of the area, there are detailed instructions and maps for two walks of varying lengths from each campsite. This provides the opportunity to explore the area in the immediate vicinity of the campsite and appreciate the diverse environments to be found in Britain. In this book all the campsites are reasonably priced, and were chosen with value for money in mind.

So, if you like camping and you love taking your dog but do not know where to go, this book will help you find the answer for either a weekend jaunt, to explore a region or even to plan a tour of the UK.

This book details the origin and racing history of the Ferrari 333 SP. Uniquely, none of the 333 SP models were entered into races by Ferrari itself. The cars were built specifically for customer use; a purchase price of $900,000 included two spare engines and race technical support supplied by Ferrari engineers. A total of 40 cars were built; the first four by Ferrari, the remainder manufactured by Dallara & Michellotto using Ferrari engines. All of the cars were sold to, and race entries made by, privateer teams.
From 1994, the cars contested the IMSA World Sports Car Championship, the United States Road Racing Championship, and the American Le Mans Series, at circuits throughout North America. In 1997, the cars also featured in the Europe-based International Sports Racing Series, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Two years later, the Doran-Lista team installed a Judd V10 engine into its 333 SP, with the aim of increasing power and improving fuel efficiency.
In all, from the 126 races entered, 47 victories were claimed by the 333 SP.

An in-depth study of the Sauber-Mercedes racecars that dominated the Group C racing scene during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
When Peter Sauber started using Mercedes V8 engines in his Group C sports cars in 1985 the result was World Championship wins in 1989 and 1990. Utterly dominant, the three-pointed star of Mercedes beat the TWR Jaguars and Nissans, and introduced a certain M Schumacher into the factory team in 1990.
This book features interviews with many of the personalities who raced with the Sauber-Mercedes team, including Jochen Mass, Mauro Baldi, Kenny Acheson, David Price, Bobby Bell and Leo Ress. A host of magnificent colour photographs backs up the history and development of the cars. Also included is a chassis-by-chassis history of each individual car.

This book is based on a concept placed with Veloce by Anthony Pritchard shortly before his death in 2013. Graham Robson has written a detailed and superbly illustrated account of the Formula 1 cars powered by the Ford DFV V8 engine. This all-conquering power unit was the result of discussions between Colin Chapman, boss of the Lotus car company, and the UK Ford Motor Company. Design, development and manufacture was entrusted to the Cosworth company in Northampton, in response to Lotus' desperate need for an engine for the 3000cc Formula 1 regulations that came into force for 1966. Lotus had exclusive use of the DFV in 1967, its first season, when Jim Clark drove the DFV-powered Lotus 49 to four World Championship victories.
Becoming available to other Formula 1 teams in 1968, adopters included McLaren and Matra. Graham Hill won the Drivers' Championship with DFV-powered Lotus cars in 1968, and drivers of DFV-powered cars won the Championship in 13 out of 16 years. Year by year, the power of the DFV engine increased; new companies were set up to overhaul the DFV; and engines prepared by these companies were more powerful than those emanating from the factory.
Robson's narrative starts with a look at Ford's strategy of entering F1, a description of the design and development of this engine, and details the successes - and failures - of every Formula 1 car powered by the DFV engine. During these years the only manufacturer to successfully challenge DFV power was Ferrari, with drivers Lauda and Scheckter winning the Drivers' Championship on three occasions. Because the DFV later gave rise to successful derivatives, such as the turbocharged DFX, and the DFY, DFZ and DFR evolutions, these are also analysed.
This important book is illustrated with more than 300 photographs, most of which come from the UK Ford Motor Company's own archives.

The 1960s was a unique era in the history of motorcycle Grand Prix racing, and arguably marked the last period of 'traditional' road racing. The decade saw the rise of the Japanese factories that would eventually dominate the sport, and the burgeoning two-stroke technology that would go on to replace the traditional four-stroke machines. It was undoubtedly one of the most glorious and exciting times as far as technological diversity was concerned, with machines that displayed a remarkable variety of technical complexity - at least fifty different makes of machine from over half a dozen countries were involved in the events.
This book covers these years in full - the bikes, the riders, and the races - offering a beautifully illustrated and engrossing account of a remarkable era in Grand Prix racing.

Stars, Stripes & Speed: America’s Formula 1 Story is a bold and visually striking celebration of the United States’ evolving role in the world’s most glamorous motorsport. From early flashes of promise to today’s cultural and commercial prominence, Roger Smith charts America’s unique journey in Formula 1 — a story decades in the making and still gaining speed.

Across stunning visuals, sharp commentary, and exclusive infographics, author Roger Smith explores how the U.S. transitioned from an uncertain participant to a powerful player reshaping the sport’s modern identity. From Watkins Glen and Long Beach to Miami and Las Vegas, the book traces the circuits, personalities, and pivotal moments that defined America’s stop-start relationship with F1 — and its dramatic resurgence under Liberty Media’s stewardship.

Inside, you’ll find chapters dedicated to groundbreaking drivers like Phil Hill and Mario Andretti, influential teams and sponsors, media revolutions from ESPN to Netflix, and the growing spectacle of U.S.-based races. Timelines and data-led graphics bring key milestones to life, from rising attendance and viewership to the expanding fanbase drawn in by Drive to Survive.

Whether you’re a new recruit to the grid or a lifelong motorsport devotee, Stars, Stripes & Speed is a timely and essential retrospective — not just of America’s place in Formula 1, but of its accelerating influence on what the sport has become.

Includes material adapted and updated from Formula 1 All the Races 2016–2024: Liberty Media’s Makeover.

This revised reprint of a classic title covers the history and development of the racing Corvettes, from the car’s beginnings in the 1950s with just 250 horsepower, through the Corvette GTP of the 1980s, with over 1000 horsepower, and on to 1996, when 4th generation cars give way to the 5th generation.
Included are many interviews with the drivers who raced these exciting, weighty and always fast cars, including John Greenwood, Dick Gulstrand, Jerry Grant and ‘Fast’ Phil Curring, amongst others.
The book is illustrated with many quality photographs, supplied by General Motors and well-known motoring photographers; it also contains detailed specifications of the production cars, and road test reports.

When Fiat entered rallying in 1970, its ultimate aim was to become World Rally Champion – and the 131 Abarth of 1976-1980 provided the machinery to make that possible. Within the Fiat-Lancia empire, the 131 Abarth not only replaced the 124 Abarth Spider sports car, but was also favoured ahead of the charismatic Lancia Stratos. By 1970s standards, the 131 Abarth was the most extreme, and effective, of all homologation specials. Compared with the 131 family car on which it was originally based, it had different engine, transmission and suspension layouts, was backed by big budgets and by a team of superstar drivers, and was meant to win all round the world.
Not only did it start winning World rallies within months of being launched, but in 1977, 1978 and 1980 the 'works' team also won the World Championship for Makes, and set every standard by which Rally Giants were to be judged. The 131 Abarth was backed by a peerless team of engineers, so was there ever any doubt that successors like the Lancia Rally 037 and the Delta Integrale would eventually come from the same stable?

Covering almost 100 years of motor racing history, humanity, not simple statistics, is revealed here as the true source of the subjects’ heroism. Take André Boillot; so tired at the end of the 1919 Targa Florio, he made a silly mistake, spinning his car backwards across the finish line – yet he still won. Or Grand Prix winners Robert Benoist, William Grover Williams and Jean-Pierre Wimille, all of whom became French resistance fighters during WWII. There’s David Purley’s valiant attempt at rescuing a trapped Roger Williamson by overturning Willamson’s blazing march with his bare hands during the 1973 Grand Prix of Holland. And Alessandro Zanardi, who lost both his legs in a CART accident, yet still came back to win races.
The lighter side of motor sport is also here, with Giannino Marzotto, who won the 1950 Mille Miglia wearing an immaculate double-breasted suit. Or Giovanni Bracco, who won the 1952 Mille Miglia as he swigged from a bottle of red wine!
There are so many heroes and heroines in this sport. This book is about 100 of them.

Jack Findlay: The fearless privateer who became the heart and soul of the legendary Continental Circus.

For nearly 30 years, a group of daring motorcycle riders toured Europe, competing on perilous circuits. Driving small vans loaded with their racing motorcycles, they formed a nomadic spectacle that came to be known as the Continental Circus. While some riders gained fame through races that contributed to world championships, many remained unsung heroes. The 1969 movie Continental Circus celebrated these brave racers—individuals who risked their lives for the sheer love and passion of the sport.

Among these fearless riders was Australian Jack Findlay, a legendary figure who became a role model for the ‘modern gladiators’ of motorcycle racing. Known as the ‘best privateer in the world’, Findlay’s immense talent and unshakable determination set him apart as he competed against factory-backed superstars with far greater resources. He embodied the very spirit of the Continental Circus and all it stood for.

This book delves into Jack Findlay’s extraordinary journey, honouring a solitary yet immensely gifted and resilient rider who defined an era of motorcycle racing.

The racing E-type Jaguar emerged from the ambition of both the racing fraternity and Jaguar enthusiasts who wanted to take this iconic British sports car onto the track to see what it would do. With official (and sometimes unofficial) help from the factory, the E-type was continually developed and modified from almost the first week that the first production car left the factory. Recognised the world over, this beautiful aerodynamic car remains as popular today as it was in the 1960s.
This fascinating book features period photographs and stories from the E-type’s early racing days, describes how the cars evolved, and gives details of the lightweights, semi-lightweights and factory specials, the Le Mans cars, the Modsports era, and the replica lightweight racing phenomena. The detailed appendices include lists of cars and drivers, book and magazine references.
As the only book in its field to cover every aspect of the E-type’s competitive history from 1961 until the present day, the author redresses the balance to detail the 95% of cars usually overlooked. The reader will find hundreds of previously unseen photographs and new information, providing an invaluable source of material for anyone interested in this incredible sports car.

Bill Snelling reflects on his lifetime passion for two-wheeling in this entertaining, motorcycle-themed autobiography. He recalls the decades of motorcycling mayhem, mud and madness that have characterised his 70-odd years living the dream, from the early days at Arthur Lavington’s Velo shop to pounding the long-distance trials and the many race circuits he has ridden. Bill admits he was better off-road than on tarmac, but he did win one race! He went on to work for Motorcycle Sport magazine, and as a dispatch rider, before moving permanently to the Isle of Man.
A great read for anyone interested in British motorcycle sports.

Now in paperback!
“In many respects it is a book unlike many others. It is an individual, as all good books should be. It is quirky, eclectic, eccentric even, but in a world intent on reproducing that which has already been regurgitated I personally felt the need for something a bit more idiosyncratic, I can only hope that you agree!” – Simon Owen

A well known artist specialising in racing car subjects, the late Simon Owen's detailed, expertly executed work conveys the life, the vibrancy, the essence and passion of motorsports and racing cars, like no other. Simon's work is a visual feast for lovers of automotive art and motorsport. Over the last few years, Simon had worked on developing a series of stunningly detailed computer-generated digital images, focussing on individual racing cars and their liveries. Seventy-seven of these images have been compiled to create this extraordinary book, and each is presented with a relevant quote from a legend of the motor racing world. Along with these beautiful and unique artworks, this book represents a chance to gain a rare peek into the artist's working methods, revealing some of his developmental work and showing how the digital images were constructed.

Here is the full and rarely-told story of Toyota's recent and highly-successful World Rally Championship campaign, undertaken by its motorsport subsidiary, Gazoo Racing.
Beginning with a look back at Toyota's early days in the rallying arena, the book quickly moves on to cover each and every WRC entry made by Gazoo, detailing technical changes and the drivers that brought the team victory along the way. Each season from 2017 to the end of 2024 includes full results and a summary for quick reference, as well as a stunning selection of photography sourced from the factory.

The differences between running an Indy car on a road circuit and an oval are described, as is the struggle to get the best from a car for the Indy 500 - a task which is described with unusual clarity. Nigel also tells the story of the ‘Big Beast’ – the Mercedes pushrod engine that won the 1994 Indy 500.
Sharing in detail his own view of the importance of suspension geometry, and how it deviates from present practices, this book also includes personal views on the Penske years from a number of motor sport figures, and those of a rival Indy car designer Bruce Ashmore. A fascinating first-hand behind-the-scenes insight.
Included in the story is considerable detail of Nigel’s eight years spent with the Firestone European Racing Division, covering an area vital to racing car performance, plus the relationship between a tyre company and its leading contracted team. The 60s and 70s were rife with tyre wars, and many interesting stories unfolded during those decades. With descriptions of the importance of the Race Engineer to the driver, and to a team’s competitiveness, Nigel offers detailed insight to how an engineer worked with a car and tuned its set-up in an era before computer readouts and telemetry came to dominate.

The Formula 1 world championship story race-by-race-by-race, focuses in turn on each arena where that worldwide gladiatorial combat was played out, from the raw danger of the first race in 1950 to the clinical technology fest of the 1000th race in 2019.
This is a one-stop-shop, a single F1 volume of first resort. An informative history integrated with an extensive easy to use source of reference, all within one affordable limited edition.
It is a book for drilling into F1 history at any given moment, or to enjoy as an easy ongoing storyline to be read cover-to-cover.
Specially developed fact-pods make information easy to find, and allow you to zoom in on the fact you want, assisted by maps,special illustrations, rare photos and ranking charts of driver performance over a convenient 1000 event sample.
This unique book features up to date information, with a free download for the post April 2019 season results.
By the numbers: 720 pages; 235 Ferrari wins; 189 authentic photos; 123 GP Gold races;107 winning drivers; 71 circuits; 34 winning teams; 29 season shootouts; 18 Hall of Fame nominees; 4 Rolls of Honour; 1 Book

Born in America in the late 1940s, drag racing soon spread across the world, reaching Britain in 1960 when some local hot rod clubs joined forces to form the British Hot Rod Association.
At the same time, Sydney Allard saw drag racing as a new challenge, and began building an American style-dragster in the Allard workshops. Sydney also brought over teams of American dragsters to show the British what drag racing was all about, while the British Hot Rod Association was holding meetings on RAF runways with a growing number of enthusiasts who were building their own dragsters based on the American machine designs. John Bennett realised that for drag racing to grow in Britain a permanent facility needed to be found, and at the end of 1965, he announced that Podington airfield was to become Santa Pod Raceway, opening for business in 1966. This book takes a detailed look at the burgeoning British drag racing of the 1960s, complemented by rare colour photos. It follows the development of Santa Pod Raceway, and the ever increasing fields of competitors that ran there up to 1969. A fascinating, nostalgic study of one of the fastest, loudest, most powerful motor sports in the world.

The second in this unique series again combines the joys of camping with the delights of walking with your dog. Here can be found information on a variety of campsites, all of which welcome dogs, with some providing special facilities for your companion. All the featured campsites are located very close to footpaths and walking trails, and, in addition, are also close to a dog-friendly pub. In addition to identifying the distinctive characteristics of the area, there are detailed instructions for two walks of varying lengths from each campsite. This provides the opportunity to explore the area in the immediate vicinity of the campsite, and appreciate the diverse environments to be found in Britain. Then, to round off the day, you can enjoy a drink and meal in a convivial atmosphere at the nearby pub.
So, if you like camping and you love taking along your dog, but do not know where to go, this book will help you find the place for a weekend jaunt, to explore a region, or even to tour Britain.

A fascinating history of European motorcycle racing, going back to a period far removed from the world of Moto GP today: a time when many young men from all walks of life decided to give up their livelihoods in favour of earning their living by racing motorcycles on the dangerous public road circuits of the European Continent. It was a nomadic existence that involved travelling from circuit to circuit, circus fashion, hence the title ‘Continental Circus.’
The book begins with the pre-war period, when many young British riders travelled to the Continent to take part in the Grand Prix races, held from around 1920 and across Europe. British riders such as Alec Bennett, Stanley Woods, Jimmy Guthrie and many more, gained notable success and established their reputations on the European circuits. Moving on to the post-war era, the book details the riders from around the world who joined the Circus – self-financed ‘privateers’ from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The 1950s and ’60s were the days of the true Continental Circus, when private riders earned their living riding all over the continent. The book also covers the development of the machines that became the essential tools of the private riders, and the eventual demise of the Continental Circus in the 1970s, due to new safety regulations and the escalating cost of racing.
Chris Pereira’s historical account is sourced both from first-hand experience of racing, and from his own vast library of racing history records and photographs.

After the first ever intercontinental rally – the London-Sydney in 1968 – there was widespread enthusiasm for an even more difficult test. With the Football World Cup being held in Mexico in 1970, it was the perfect opportunity to hold a parallel, much tougher challenge – the World Cup Rally.
Organisers John Sprinzel and John Brown secured sponsorship from the Daily Mirror and planned a unique high-speed event, lasting six weeks and covering 16,000 miles from London to Mexico City via some of the most varying, tortuous and difficult terrain on three continents.
Serious works teams such as Ford and British Leyland spent tremendous amounts choosing and developing new cars, completing months-long route surveys, and analysing every detail of diets, oxygen provision, and the number of crew members. Despite all this planning, out of an entry of more than 100, only 23 cars made it to the finish. It was then, and remains now, the toughest rally of all time.
This book, now reprinted in paperback, tells the complete story.

Most people with an interest in motor sport will be familiar with the acronym N.A.R.T., yet few people profess to know too much about the North American Racing Team.
Starting in the the second half of the 1950s, NART existed for three decades, during which it experienced successes on the tracks of America and Europe. It also suffered financial difficulties, and arguments with track organisers.
This book explains what NART was, how it was formed, and what it achieved over three decades of competition. It wasn’t just sports cars that were entered into races, NART entered Formula One cars and Formula Junior cars as well.
Never as financially stable as his rival team owners, Chinetti did deals with Ferrari to purchase the latest specification sports cars at the end of a season, in order to attract the best drivers to drive for NART. It was also an opportunity to lease the cars on a race-by-race basis, an arrangement that appealed to some of Chinetti’s clientele.
Whilst success on the track was significant, problems were never far away. Working on the cars with a limited number of staff, and not receiving spares from Ferrari on time, NART always appeared to be in a state of crisis.
No matter … despite the difficulties, the formula worked well for Luigi Chinetti, and the acronym N.A.R.T. has rightly become legendary.

Now in paperback! Gary ‘Sox’ Hocking raced against the likes of Geoff Duke, Mike Hailwood and John Surtees, and eventually became double world champion – yet his name remains largely forgotten. He retired at an early stage in his career, and the explanation so often given for this ultimately proved far removed from the real reason.
Roger Hughes' fascinating book is a positive celebration of Hocking’s life and career. Stories reveal how he went from riding a motorbike to work to becoming world champion – a riveting journey, made more so by being told by those who were close to him. Gary’s decision to move to car racing because it was safer, only to then be killed in a car, makes for a tragic end to his tale. This book explores the many suggestions as to how the accident happened.
With photos covering Hocking’s early career racing Nortons in South Africa, through to his final motorcycle ride, at the 1962 Isle of Man TT – a win that was, in many ways, so important to him – this book is a fitting tribute to a forgotten champion.
This popular book is now available in paperback.

This revised reprint of a classic title covers the history and development of the racing Corvettes, from the car’s beginnings in the 1950s with just 250 horsepower, through the Corvette GTP of the 1980s, with over 1000 horsepower, and on to 1996, when 4th generation cars give way to the 5th generation.
Included are many interviews with the drivers who raced these exciting, weighty and always fast cars, including John Greenwood, Dick Gulstrand, Jerry Grant and ‘Fast’ Phil Curring, amongst others.
The book is illustrated with many quality photographs, supplied by General Motors and well-known motoring photographers; it also contains detailed specifications of the production cars, and road test reports.

The story of how the Superbike racing motorcycle developed out of the roadgoing sports-tourer to become the protagonist in one of the most successful competitions in all forms of motorcycle sport. As well as offering world championship class competition in its own right, Superbike racing has been a highly competitive training ground for grand prix riders, as well as helping manufacturers, distributors and dealers develop and improve their motorcycles.

Superbike racing is to the motorcycle industry what touring car or NASCAR competition is to the car world: race on Sunday, sell on Monday. All the big names were drawn into the sport during its formative years, and have been there ever since: Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati and Aprilia have all used Superbike racing to test their street bike designs.

Some of the greatest riders in the sport – Wayne Gardner, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz and Eddie Lawson – all started out on big, unruly Superbikes, learning how to powerslide their way around the world’s toughest tracks.

It’s all in Superbike – and it’s all in Slow Burn.

When Don Devendorf and John Knepp got together to form Electramotive Engineering of El Segundo, California, little did they realise that they were setting in motion a train of events which would sooner, rather than later, bring to them and the mighty Nissan GTP cars that they promoted, developed and raced, no less than four IMSA Camel GT Championships.
Here, for the first time, is the story of Nissan in racing from 1984 to 1993, the GTP era. The full story of Electramotive and NPTI is told, with interviews with Don Devendorf, John Knepp, Geoff Brabham, Trevor Harris, Kas Kastner, Ashley Page, and many other members of the crew that won the IMSA Camel GT Championship from 1988 to 1991.
The story of the European Group C Nissans, using chassis from March and Lola, from 1985 to 1992 is also told, along with interviews from many of the drivers and technicians involved, such as Mark Blundell, Julian Bailey, Dave Price and Bob Bell.

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 Escort RS Cosworth, which started rallying in 1993, was one of the most ingenious designs of all time. What started as a shortened Sierra Cosworth 4x4 platform, topped off by a modified Escort cabin and outer skins, was soon developed into a versatile and sophisticated rally car, and eventually became Ford's most successful since the legendary Escorts of the 1970s.
Because it was smaller, lighter, and more nimble than any of the Sierras, the combination of Cosworth power, four-wheel-drive transmission, and an effective aerodynamic package made it a Rally Giant in all conditions. With five World victories in its first season, and success all round the world in later years, it was seen in every continent, in all conditions. Drivers like Carlos Sainz, Tommi Makinen and Francois Delecour added their own stardust to a glittering reputation. To meet a change in regulations, the Escort World Rally Car took over in 1997, and also enjoyed years of success.
Until the all-new Focus WRC was launched in 1999, this generation of Escorts was the most effective rally car that Ford had ever produced.
This book tells the whole story, and is part of the series “Rally Giants” many of which have recently been reprinted by Veloce, due to popular demand.

Few people have been as deeply involved in motorcycle sport as Chris Carter, a larger than life character and raconteur who was for a great number of years a journalist, commentator and broadcaster at the very top level of motorcycle sport.
This memoir is a funny, fascinating and unique insider view of professional motorcycling over more than six decades. From scrambling in the 1960s, to four decades of international road racing - including Daytona and Macau - as well as trials and speedway. Packed with remarkable stories and amusing anecdotes, as well as interesting reflections and astute observations, it is a light-hearted, highly readable autobiography which lifts the lid on an extraordinary world.
In past times, racing paddocks were open and friendly, and Chris felt part of a big, happy family. He lived cheek by jowl with the very top riders and shared their triumphs and tragedies; to many, he was a friend and confidante. Honest, frank and direct, Chris tells things exactly as they were, and provides insights into a fast disappearing world.

Formula 1’s 75th anniversary on May 13, 2025, marks a landmark in motorsport history—a celebration of speed, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. From the inaugural race at Silverstone in 1950 to today, F1 has hosted 1,131 Grand Prix events, crowned 34 World Champions, and delivered countless unforgettable moments.

The 100 Greatest Races captures the essence of F1’s unparalleled legacy. This exhilarating collection dives into the most iconic battles, from edge-of-your-seat photo finishes and masterful drives in the rain to heroic comebacks and shocking upsets. Each race is a tribute to the courage, precision, and brilliance that define the sport.

Penned by leading F1 experts Roger Smith and Kevin Turner, with a foreword by former F1 driver and expert pundit Karun Chandhok, this unofficial chronicle curated by experts presents the ultimate top 100 races. Using a meticulous rating system, the authors sift through over 1,000 Grand Prix events, organizing them into ten captivating themes. Each chapter crowns its top three races before culminating in the definitive ranking of Formula 1’s all-time greatest.

Enriched with breathtaking photography and compelling narratives, The 100 Greatest Races takes fans on a thrilling journey through the highs, lows, and timeless magic of F1. Relive the glory, feel the passion, and celebrate the races that have shaped the sport into the global phenomenon it is today.

This book celebrates the extraordinary sporting legacy behind the name Alfa Romeo, and is a unique record of every type of Alfa Romeo associated with official and, at times, not so official Alfa sporting achievements from 1945 to the present day.

This photographic album and record consists entirely of period photographs, many previously unpublished, with a full description of each car’s sporting achievement. With many years of research behind the content, it is the most definitive photographic guide to the history of Alfa Romeo in motorsport.

Recounting a time of unparalleled access to the highest level of motor-racing, this is an informal, personal record of the people, the cars, and the events from that golden era, gloriously illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs.
Coverage includes GP and non-championship F1 racing, plus Formula 2 and 3, Sports, GT and Saloon car racing.
Now, a generation later, many of the cars and drivers shown here in their heyday can be found appearing at historic race meetings, drawing crowds approaching the size of those seen at modern Formula One, touring car, and motorcycle events.
The author’s personal recollections are complemented by contributions from one of the foremost racing mechanics of his day, Bob Dance. A unique combination, and a unique book.

A fascinating history of European motorcycle racing, going back to a period far removed from the world of Moto GP today: a time when many young men from all walks of life decided to give up their livelihoods in favour of earning their living by racing motorcycles on the dangerous public road circuits of the European Continent. It was a nomadic existence that involved travelling from circuit to circuit, circus fashion, hence the title ‘Continental Circus.’
The book begins with the pre-war period, when many young British riders travelled to the Continent to take part in the Grand Prix races, held from around 1920 and across Europe. British riders such as Alec Bennett, Stanley Woods, Jimmy Guthrie and many more, gained notable success and established their reputations on the European circuits. Moving on to the post-war era, the book details the riders from around the world who joined the Circus – self-financed ‘privateers’ from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The 1950s and ’60s were the days of the true Continental Circus, when private riders earned their living riding all over the continent. The book also covers the development of the machines that became the essential tools of the private riders, and the eventual demise of the Continental Circus in the 1970s, due to new safety regulations and the escalating cost of racing.
Chris Pereira’s historical account is sourced both from first-hand experience of racing, and from his own vast library of racing history records and photographs.

Changes to regulations for sports car racing in the late 1970s paved the way for a golden era of endurance racing in the 80s, with the likes of Porsche, Lancia, Jaguar and Mercedes all vying for the World Sportscar Championship. The Silverstone 6-Hour and 1000km races became a cornerstone of this Championship and the event was often used by the teams as a warm-up to the all-important Le Mans 24-Hour race, which followed it.
This book charts the progress of the races, year-by-year from 1976, through the era of the Group C cars, up to the end of the eighties, with previously unpublished accounts and photographs of each event. It includes maps of the circuit, showing changes over the years and detailed results from each of the races.
As an ordinary spectator, Chas Parker visited each of the events (except one) over the years, and amassed an impressive collection of colour transparencies taken from the spectator enclosures, the paddock, and during pits walkabouts.

Filling the many gaps in Formula 1 records, this book re-writes the racing history books.
The history of F1 can be neatly divided into two eras, the first formally ending January 1980 when the terms `Grand Prix` and `World Championship` became synonymous, although there would be three more non-championship races after that date. However, up to January 1973 OVER HALF of F1 races were NOT included in the Championship results for the spurious reason that each country should have just a single F1 race.
The classification of many F1 races as ‘non-Championship’ did a disservice to the achievements of drivers of the Fangio, Moss, Clark and Stewart era and, even more-so, to the four pre-Championship years which began in 1946. When, today, a commentator says “Rosberg’s 16th win equals the F1 wins of Stirling Moss” this is manifestly untrue. If the same drivers, in the same F1 cars, compete at the same tracks, and over a similar distance, then each race deserves to have its place in the records as a ‘Championship quality’ event. This book includes such races alongside contemporary Championship races and, combined with known figures since 1980, produces what can surely be accepted as ‘The Real Score’ of Formula 1.

A Classic Reprint. “The Works MGs” is the authoritative story of all the MGs prepared and entered by the MG Car Company and its successors in international competition from the 1920s to the late 1960s.
The book covers prewar racing and record-breaking attempts, as well as the postwar achievements of the works cars entered in races and rallies by the BMC Competitions Department. The authors, who both worked with MG, bring together their own experiences, extensive research, and the recollections of former colleagues to produce a unique insight into this important aspect of British motorsport history.

Now in paperback, 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.

Formula 1 encapsulates our love affair with the car, our obsession with speed, and our insatiable desire to win. Its blend of glamour, worldwide reach, and the intrigue of power politics makes it a seductive concoction for fans around the globe. Over four editions, the 'Formula 1 All the Races' series has chronicled the captivating narrative of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship on a race-by-race-by-race basis. Now, as the race-count climbs to an astonishing 1,125 at the end of 2024, Formula 1's 75th season provides the perfect opportunity for a fifth edition that not only brings the story bang up to date, but explores ‘The Liberty Years’, perhaps the most transformative period for Formula 1 technically, commercially and philosophically: is it sport or entertainment? In late 2016, Liberty Media Corporation, a prominent American owned company with a business focus in media, communications and entertainment, bid to acquire the commercial rights for Formula 1. It marked the beginning of a new era and is the most far-reaching expression of US involvement and influence on the sport to date, but by no means the first.

This edition includes an additional focus on the many significant contributions from US drivers, teams, circuits, suppliers and sponsors from 1950 to the present day. The United States has left an indelible mark on Formula 1, shaping its trajectory and contributing to its status as ‘The Pinnacle of Motorsport’. Join this celebration of 75 years of Formula 1: The fastest sport on the planet.

Thruxton has been described as “the UK’s Speedbowl.” The circuit is home to the prestigious British Automobile Racing Club, and during the period covered by this book the author was editor of the club’s magazine. As a result, he was able to get behind the scenes at many of the events, including F2, British Touring Cars, Aurora AFX F1, and club races.
In the 1980s Thruxton featured in the early careers of many Formula One drivers, and the book records the early performances of such luminaries as Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Derek Warwick, Alan McNish, Mike Thackwell, Mika Hakkinen, and many more. Featuring many previously unpublished photographs from the author’s personal collection, this is an insightful account of racing at one of the fastest motor racing circuits in the UK.

“Tales from the Toolbox” is a unique collection of behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes as told, in their own words, by former Grand Prix mechanics who have worked at the top level of the sport during the past 50 years.
On the front line of the sport, mixing with drivers and team bosses, they saw a side of it that nobody else got to see and rarely gets to hear about – and this book tells their story.
Chapters are themed around a particular aspect of a mechanic's life, ranging from what they consider the highs and lows of their career, to their opinions of drivers and team bosses, the all-nighters, letting off steam, the ‘Mechanic's Gallon,' nightmare journeys and customs capers. It also reveals a tale of camaraderie between teams and individual mechanics which is hard to imagine in today's highly competitive Formula One environment.
The stories are supplemented by photographs from the archives and photo albums of the mechanics themselves, many of which are previously unseen.

Now in Paperback! This is the authorised biography of one of the best-liked bad boys in British motorsport. John Chatham, driver, racer, repairer, rebuilder, tuner, trader and lover of Austin-Healeys, was, according to Geoffrey Healey, “uncontrollable” in his youth, and has only mildly mellowed with age. Burly and genial, but formidably competitive, and not above bending the rules when he thought he could get away with it, to many he is the archetypal club racer. John is so synonymous with Austin-Healeys that the most famous racing Healey in the world, DD300, is so well-known mainly because John campaigned it for decades, notching up tens of thousands of racing miles. But his career embraces far more than one car, and until this biography no-one had attempted to fill in the gaps.
The book is not a dry description of one club race after another. It does include a list of John’s principal sporting achievements, but no complete record exists of the hundreds of events which made up his competitive career, so the writer has not attempted to compile one. Instead Norman Burr, who was himself acquainted with John in his youth, has created a more rounded and personal account, full of motoring and sporting anecdotes, but also telling the story of John’s family, his work, his business, his three wives and his lovers. John has a comprehensive photo library from which the book is generously illustrated, with cartoons added to illustrate some of the moments that a camera was not around to record. Thoroughly politically incorrect even by the standards of the 1960s, it’s an account which will strike a chord not only with admirers of Big Healeys, but also with anyone who believes that independent thinking, and the courage to apply and enjoy it, is the greatest virtue of all.
This book is now available in paperback format, due to popular demand.

Trans-Am Challengers: The Story Behind Detroit's Racing Revolution

In April 1964, Ford’s Mustang pony car stormed onto the scene, igniting a sales phenomenon that forced Detroit’s other automakers to scramble to create their own competitors. Around the same time, the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) was transforming from a purely amateur organisation into a professional racing powerhouse, introducing prize-money championships.

By 1966, the SCCA launched two landmark series: the Canadian-American Challenge Cup (Can-Am) and the Trans-American Sedan Championship (Trans-Am). While Can-Am focused on unlimited FIA Group 7 sports cars, Trans-Am catered to FIA Group 2 touring cars, with classes divided by engine sizes: up to 2000cc and 2001-5000cc. The Over-2000cc class was crafted specifically with the Mustang in mind, ensuring Ford’s interest and leveraging the growing pony car wars.

Chevrolet answered Ford’s Mustang with the launch of the Camaro in September 1966, sparking fierce competition on the track and in showrooms. Soon, Mercury, Pontiac, Dodge, Plymouth, and AMC joined the fray, turning the Trans-Am series into a battleground for Detroit’s ‘Big Four’. Manufacturers saw Trans-Am success as a path to dominance, investing heavily in developing race-ready cars and unleashing low-production homologation specials like the Mustang Boss 302, Camaro Z28, Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am, AMC Javelin Mark Donohue Edition, Dodge Challenger T/A, and Plymouth ’Cuda AAR—now some of the rarest and most valuable classic American cars.

Beyond the famous Mustang and Camaro rivalry, this book uncovers the untold stories of their challengers and the relentless pursuit of sales glory. Mercury nearly claimed the championship in 1967, and AMC triumphed in 1971 and 1972 with Penske Racing. The fierce competition left an indelible mark on American motorsport history.

A chapter also explores lesser-known contenders from outside the U.S., such as Ford Falcon Sprints in the British Saloon Car Championship and the powerful Holden Monaros and Ford Falcons that dominated Australian circuits.

This is more than just a tale of Mustang versus Camaro—it’s the story of an era when Detroit’s finest fought to conquer the track and the showroom floor, leaving a legacy of engineering brilliance and motorsport passion.

This book details the origin and racing history of the Ferrari 333 SP. Uniquely, none of the 333 SP models were entered into races by Ferrari itself. The cars were built specifically for customer use; a purchase price of $900,000 included two spare engines and race technical support supplied by Ferrari engineers. A total of 40 cars were built; the first four by Ferrari, the remainder manufactured by Dallara & Michellotto using Ferrari engines. All of the cars were sold to, and race entries made by, privateer teams.
From 1994, the cars contested the IMSA World Sports Car Championship, the United States Road Racing Championship, and the American Le Mans Series, at circuits throughout North America. In 1997, the cars also featured in the Europe-based International Sports Racing Series, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Two years later, the Doran-Lista team installed a Judd V10 engine into its 333 SP, with the aim of increasing power and improving fuel efficiency.
In all, from the 126 races entered, 47 victories were claimed by the 333 SP.

1952 was one of the most important years in Mercedes-Benz racing history; after a 13-year absence, the marque returned to motor sport competition with an automobile that rewrote the history of modern sports car racing.
The 300 SL’s debut was the culmination of a long, difficult road back to racing for Mercedes-Benz. This book vividly depicts the 300 SL’s performance in the five races in which it competed in 1952, and tells the story of how it became the most successful competition sports car of that year. Through dramatic photographs, and equally stirring text, one of the greatest years of sports car racing is brought to life, filled with automobiles often finished in national racing colours, prepared by great factory teams, driven by men who were national sporting idols, and raced under gruelling conditions unique to the age.
From its Mille Miglia debut, through the Nürburgring, the Le Mans 24 Hours, to its greatest race, the Carrera Panamericana, the 300 SL’s career from conception to retirement is presented, culminating with a detailed photographic essay illustrating restoration of the oldest 300 SL in existence.

Bon vivant, racing-car champion, entrepreneur, wheeler-dealer, and champion-maker – this is the life of the irrepressible, effervescent Fred Opert.

Opert’s journey took him from a brief stint in a New York jail to a successful career as race-car importer/dealer, race team owner and F1 team manager, before tragedy caused him to walk away from the sport he loved.

This fascinating biography follows Fred Opert’s whirlwind lifestyle, talent-spotting successes, and the trials and tribulations of managing the ATS F1 team. Detailing the drivers who came up through the ranks with Opert, the book features interviews with many of those who worked with him. It has been written with the co-operation of Opert’s family, friends and ex-employees.

Forewords by Nico Rosberg, Alan Jones MBE and Keke Rosberg.

An in-depth study of the Sauber-Mercedes racecars that dominated the Group C racing scene during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
When Peter Sauber started using Mercedes V8 engines in his Group C sports cars in 1985 the result was World Championship wins in 1989 and 1990. Utterly dominant, the three-pointed star of Mercedes beat the TWR Jaguars and Nissans, and introduced a certain M Schumacher into the factory team in 1990.
This book features interviews with many of the personalities who raced with the Sauber-Mercedes team, including Jochen Mass, Mauro Baldi, Kenny Acheson, David Price, Bobby Bell and Leo Ress. A host of magnificent colour photographs backs up the history and development of the cars. Also included is a chassis-by-chassis history of each individual car.