Racing Books

Overall, I liked this book. The story of JR's early racing days and his travels with Jim McElreath as they followed the IMCA circuit was good reading. In addition, the details of his 1966 Eldora crash and recovery as well as his experience driving the Smokey Yunick NASCAR Chevy in 1963 was very interesting. I would have liked more technical detail on what happened to his race cars to cause poor finishes at Indy in 1973, 1982, etc.

If you are a fan of Johnny Rutherford and racing in general, this is the book for you. The book gives insight from inside the racing world. It is a highly detailed account of Johnny's personal life and his racing career. I found his personal struggle to become a big time driver very interesting, as he started at a relatively late age for his era. It was also interesting for me to read his explanation of the many changes in racing and what was expected of a driver from his first race until his retirement. The candid comments and numerous photographs, make the reader fell like he has had a personal converstaion with J.R. himself. I believe almost anyone will enjoy this book.

If you are a fan of Johnny Rutherford and racing in general, this is the book for you. The book gives insight from inside the racing world. It is a highly detailed account of Johnny's personal life and his racing career. I found his personal struggle to become a big time driver very interesting, as he started at a relatively late age for his era. It was also interesting for me to read his explanation of the many changes in racing and what was expected of a driver from his first race until his retirement. The candid comments and numerous photographs, make the reader fell like he has had a personal converstaion with J.R. himself. I believe almost anyone will enjoy this book.

If you are a fan of Johnny Rutherford and racing in general, this is the book for you. The book gives insight from inside the racing world. It is a highly detailed account of Johnny's personal life and his racing career. I found his personal struggle to become a big time driver very interesting, as he started at a relatively late age for his era. It was also interesting to me to read his explanation of the many changes in racing and what was expected of a driver from his first race until his retirement. The candid comments and numerous photographs, make you fell like you've had a personal converstaion with J.R. himself. I believe almost anyone will enjoy this book.

This is another great piece of work by Christopher Hilton. Now, don't think I'm a Hilton fan. I'm simply familiar with Hilton's work. I purchased this title for the simple reason that Hakkinen is my all time hero. I recommend this title to any Formula One or Hakkinen fan. Do note that it only goes up to the 1997 season, but that is what you want to know about anyway, right? Learn about Mika's "casual" living style and sometimes a little too "carefree" life as an up and coming driver. There will be laughs along the way without doubt!

Enjoy!

Christopher Hilton's biography of Finnish racing driver Mika Hakkinen was written before Hakkinen won the Formula 1 World Drivers Championship at the wheel of his West McLaren Mercedes last year.

Hilton opens his story with the final fateful moments leading up to Hakkinen's serious accident during qualifying for the 1995 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, and days later, Hakkinen's regaining consciousness in the intensive care ward of an Adelaide hospital.

He then takes us back to the beginning, retracing Hakkinen's childhood and early racing career in Finland through to his inevitable move to Britain, his progress through the junior racing formulae and the break into the big-time with the now-defunct Lotus F1 team.

The story ends towards the end of 1997 ‡ just, it can be argued, when it was getting REALLY interesting!

Hilton's style is idiosyncratic, but readers who are happy to put up with his asides and personal touches will be rewarded with an empathetic, well-researched and ultimately authoritative work on the latest F1 World Champion.

But despite Hilton's claims that Hakkinen remains one of the most accessible F1 racers of his time, this book lacks a certain something.

Hakkinen certainly comes across as unaffected, accessible and supremely talented ‡ racing a car at breathtaking speed is, after all, only ìdoing what comes naturallyí, as Hilton's book is subtitled.

But unlike biographies/autobiographies of previous world champions ‡ Alan Jones' collaboration with Keith Botsford, ìDriving Ambitioní, or Botsford's collaboration with Keke Rosberg, ìKekeí spring to mind immediately ‡ one leaves Hilton's book with a little sense of knowing the man.

Even one of Hilton's own previous efforts, Ayrton Senna ‡ The Hard Edge of Genius, gave a far greater insight into its subject. Perhaps that was an indication of Senna himself; he was known to be a man given to deeper thoughts than many of his contemporaries and rivals.

Work may be underway even now on a book by Hakkinen's own hand. But for his fans, and they are legion, for the time being at least this book is about the best there is.

Hilton has done a fair job, and shown impressive prescience in selecting Hakkinen as a candidate for a biography. It needs to be updated, to take account of the 1998 championship-winning season.

Hilton's book will sell well and satisfy the inevitable post-championship demand for information on the man of the moment. But it's not the definitive essay on Hakkinen that his fans, and fans of motorsport generally, are waiting for.

Now that Mika has one the World Drivers Championship (twice), this makes an interesting read.

Although seemingly distant, and lacking interest in his chosen sport, this book highlights the talents that Mika clearly has in order to achieve his dream.

With help from his boss, Ron Dennis, Hilton highlights how Dennis and Hakkinen spent many long hours coupled together, penetrating each other's heads and, ultimately, getting the best out of each other. The book's title expresses this in concise terms.

While illustration is sparse, it spares us the pointless "page filling" of many lesser books, and gets to the point.

A great read for any fan of Mika, and McLaren.

This book contain all of Mika's! From his karting days to F-1, FANTASTIC~~ Quick buy, before he is going to be the World Champion!

This is not a review

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If you need to know what happened in GP Bike racing each year and from only one source this is it. The photos alone are worth the price of the book. My only wish is that I had found out about this series sooner so I could read the earier one too!!

Yet another excellent annual by Motocourse. Primarily covers the MotoGP tour but also includes SBK and some national racing.

This edition is particular important as Americans topped the 500cc Championship and the Superbike Championship which probably hasn't happend since the late 80s.

Excellent recap and photographs

I've read these books for years. Each and every year I get the whole picture of what has happened on the World Gran Prix Motorcycle scene. The pictures are beyond words, and give a clear shot of what it's like to ride one of these bikes at speed. The technical information is very good, considering that all the major manufacturers take secrecy to the extreme making it hard for outsiders whom are interested in the technical aspects kind of shut outs. Overall, though....I can't wait to get my hands on the next edition.

Execellent and comprehensive study of the Grand Prix motorcycle scene, with lots on insider stuff besides just the statistics. I especially enjoyed the vignette on the role and influence that "King Kenny" Roberts had on the Euro-centric organizational power structure.

The one short-coming which perhaps Dennis Noyes will address for his NEXT book would be maps for all the circuits where GP motorcycle races have been run.

This one belongs in every two-wheel enthusiast's library

For anyone who needs to know anything about grand prix racing, this book tells it all. The great English and Italian bikes, the coming of the Japanese and so on, it's all here. Fantastic photos and priceless words. Worth every penny.

Anyone with serious interest in motocycle racing needs a reference work of impeccable quality and accuracy, and this is it. There is no point in going on at length about the excellence of this magnificent book, because it delivers satisfaction at every level, from the quality of its contributors (Dennis Noyes, Michael Scott, et al), the brilliance of its photography (Malcolm Bryan, Gold & Goose, etc.) and the completeness of its historical record, not only in describing the technical trajectory of race-bike development and rider accomplishment in all relevant classes, including sidercar, but in the vital statistics that record the results. It's all here, rendered at the highest levels of journalism and publishing.
Hazelton's annual Motocourse journals on motoGP racing are terrific, but somewhat costly, but this wrapup of the entire post-WWII record of GP motorcycle racing does it all. No enthusiast should be without it.

Even if you're not one of the die-hards who regularly buys the Motocourse annual this is the book you cannot live without. Five chapters deal with the different epoques in Motorcycle GP Racing - especially the chapter covering the years 78-87, written by Dennis Noyes is captivating, but even the chapter covering 88-98 by Michael Scott brings tears to your eyes.

The book is deliberately sprinkled with excellent photos, and for the anoraks among us, there is a complete statistic appendix covering results and records.

If this book is not enough for you, another book is available on the same topic. It's french, written by Didier Ganneau and is called - surprise - 50 ans de Grands Prix Moto. (1999 Editions SOLAR, ISBN 2-363-02877-3)

After reading this inspiring book, we have found courage to shred the slopes ourselves. The author obviously has a true love of skiing himself, and we think he is way overdue to write a companion piece on Hillary Lind, and to check out the wild slopes of Alaska. We look forward to reading future books from this outstanding children's author! Kudos from Juneau!

Picabo Street is a very easy and entertaining book to read even for adults. Any child should find it interesting and inspiring. It challenges chidren to have a dream and work hard to achieve it. Rhoda Carlstedt

Good way to spend some reading time.

This is an excellent book and very well written. It is the story of an anti-heroine who is easy to admire, but very difficult to like. My children disliked Street's arrogance, her disdain for training and the negative attitude that robbed her of the complete success that could have followed her natural courage and abilities. It is nevertheless a great example to show young women how to believe in themselves, to persevere in the face of setbacks, and the importance of courage. The author did an excellent job of portraying how very far Street could have gone if she had accompanied her courage with judgement, and her confidence with kindness. It was particularly inspiring to my daughters.

The latest in the Ed Loy series has the Irish PI looking for a jockey who disappeared years before after holding back a favorite horse so it would lose. It brings him into the midst of deep dark secrets of a prominent horse-breeding and -racing family. Although there isn't enough information to even begin an investigation, such a lack doesn't seem to deter Loy.

Discovery of the first of several bodies opens the inquiry into the many mysteries of the Tyrell family. All this takes place beginning on Christmas Eve and leads up to the four-day Leopardstown Racecourse Christmas Festival. The story is set among the current and past Irish economic and social conditions, with observations on the people and the Catholic Church playing an important role. The plot involves, as usual, the sins of the fathers cast upon the children.

The drama is high, the writing solid. This third in the series is as gripping as its predecessors, and is highly recommended.

In Dublin, Father Vincent Tyrrell hires private investigator Ed Loy to find missing jockey Patrick Hutton. The case is made complex by the fact that his client offers only a name and that Hutton disappeared about a decade ago. Loy wants to say forget it as he figures he has little chance of finding the man, but the fee is too good to ignore.

Loy knows he must tread the streets very carefully as the Halligan family plan to rough him and more because they hold him culpable for one of them residing behind bars. As he makes inquiries on another case involving a homicide that leads back to Father Vincent's brother affluent business mogul F.X. Tyrell, Loy soon finds himself investigating two other related homicides connected to the Tyrell family. Beaten severely and told to back off or else, Loy keeps digging until the trail takes him to the four-day Leopardstown Race-course Christmas Festival.

In his third appearance (see THE COLOR OF BLOOD and THE WRONG KIND OF BLOOD) Loy does what he does best: gets tattered and threatened but keeps on ticking. The story line is fast-paced from the opening request and though filled with neat twists never slows down until the final altercation. Bruised, battered and beaten, Loy still conducts intelligent inquires whose link is F.X. Private investigative fans will enjoy Declan Hughes' strong Irish mystery.

Harriet Klausner

The Price of Blood is Declan Hughes' third thriller set in Dublin, Ireland. Hughes previous novels are The Wrong Kind of Blood, which won the Shamus Award for Best First PI novel, and The Color of Blood.

Private Investigator Ed Loy is hired by Father Vincent Tyrrell to find a missing jockey, Patrick Hutton. Taking the case is easy, but the clues are few. The only thing that Father Tyrrell can offer to Loy is a name-and that the jockey disappeared years ago. Not a good start for solving a missing person's case, and Loy would prefer to let it go. The problem is the money is just too good, and since Loy's bank account is depleted, he really must take the case.

During the investigation of another case, Loy discovers the body of a man who is linked to Father Tyrrell's brother F.X. Tyrell. That mystery leads to other clues, and as Loy usually does, he gets battered and bruised, but doesn't give up digging into the mystery. The trail finally leads to the four-day Leopardstown Racecourse Christmas Festival where Loy finds dangerous people and activities afoot.

I love that Loy is "everyman." and yet he has something that sets him apart from most. He's tenacious, thorough and oh so likeable. Hughes' The Price of Blood is fascinating. It's fast-paced, gives the readers some wonderful twists and speeds on to the conclusion.

If you like PI novels, check out The Price of Blood. I guarantee that you will go out and buy the first two. Hughes is a habit-a good habit.

Armchair Interviews says: Hughes' novels just keep getting better

Irish playwright Declan Hughes's third private detective Ed Loy novel, THE PRICE OF BLOOD peers into the gritty sides of Dublin and families as Loy investigates the case of a missing jockey and a case of vandalism. In a suspense thriller with echoes of Greek tragedy set in modern life, Declan Hughes creates an innovative look into the darker sides of his characters and the underside of Irish horse racing. THE PRICE OF BLOOD is a suspense read full of local color from an Irish author who looks beyond the surface into societal changes and customs as well as into the shocking secrets hidden from plain view, secrets that when spoken can often lead to tragic consequences.

Father Vincent Tyrrell asks PI Ed Loy to look into a name, Patrick Hutton. The Catholic priest and horse racing devotee gives Ed Loy just the name without any other details, refusing to break the seal of confession. Now dying of cancer, the priest's conscience troubles him. Meanwhile, Ed Loy takes on a case, assisting Joe Leonard in catching vandals. As Ed Loy pursues the Leonard case, he discovers a body dumped, a body with some shocking details and a piece of paper that might just relate to his jockey case. When Ed looks closer into the history of Patrick Hutton, the body count increases. Each victim has 2 cryptic tattoos roughly engraved into their skin and certain other details in common which Ed discovers when he comes across a dumped body. While the papers claim the murders are the work of a serial killer, The Omega Man, Ed Loy knows that the clues and relationships just do not fit the serial killer scenario. His investigation of jockey Patrick Hutton takes him into the tumultuous world of Irish horse racing and the Tyrell family where passions run deep and secrets are hidden even deeper.

From the very beginning of THE PRICE OF BLOOD, Declan Hughes takes the reader into an intimate vision of Ireland. Declan Hughes sections the book by date into Advent, Christmas, and St. Stephen's Day, thereby creating a temporal structure that relies on the Catholic calendar and focuses on Father Vincent Tyrell`s world. His moral dilemma introduces this work of suspense, allowing the reader to catch both a glimpse at the depth of this character, as a man tortured by a secret he must keep and also as a compassionate man willing to stand out as he brings Tommy Owens into the fold of his church and protection despite the congregation's displeasure. From the very beginning, the reader feels Ed Loy's ties to his youth and his independence from the Dublin of his past through the interchanges with Father Tyrell. Through the descriptions of the Joe Leonard case, Declan Hughes, takes the reader into Ireland's past and present as characters once isolated from one another by economics, now live in close proximity. Those who once thought of semi-detached housing as low class now are limited to council housing. Now, downcast, Joe Leonard is determined to protect his corner. To Joe Leonard, Declan Hughes juxtaposes F.X. Tyrell, a man for whom horse racing has improved his status and station in life.

As suspense, THE PRICE OF BLOOD delves into the dark side of horse racing, purebreds, and relationships as passions and past histories collide. The closer Ed Loy gets to answering the puzzles, the more surprising twists he uncovers. As St. Stephen's Day approaches with the exciting climactic horse race, even the best laid plans cannot prepare the characters for the shocking conclusions still to come. As with a previous past case, when the culprit is finally revealed, the revelations elicit unexpected actions. Secrets haunt but brought to light, do they bring comfort? Declan Hughes' suspense stands out precisely because answers are not easy or simplistic. Through the depth of the character of Father Vincent Tyrell, Declan Hughes creates a magnificent sense of pathos in his suspense that makes THE PRICE OF BLOOD a unique suspense read.

Declan Hughes is a must read for drama enthusiasts (particularly tragedy lovers) and literature enthusiasts. Father Vincent Tyrell recalls to mind Graham Green's memorable characters while simultaneously upping the ante several notches. While reading THE PRICE OF BLOOD, literature lovers might call to mind OEDIPUS REX and Arthur Miller's DEATH OF A SALESMAN, not so much in terms of plot or characterization where there are both some similarities and differences, but more so for the brilliant way Declan Hughes deviates from these classics. Declan Hughes creates an innovative work of fiction that pays tribute to previous literary classics while all the while transforming them, adding new twists as he places his tale in the suspense genre. The author invigorates the suspense genre with a new vision that will delight, indeed haunt lovers of both suspense and drama.

If you are looking for a light happy suspense read or a quick serial killer whodunit that you can easily put aside with disinterest shortly after finishing it, this book may not be the best choice. If you want a suspense read that glosses over the ramifications of actions or the pain endured by characters, search elsewhere. If you are looking for a unique read and one that stands out from all the books out there, in either suspense or literature, THE PRICE OF BLOOD is brilliant! Although tragic, THE PRICE OF BLOOD is hauntingly innovative --- the kind of book one remembers for its uniqueness.

Mike Costin was chassis designer at Lotus, and also co-founded Cosworth.

This book shows, in brief and clear style, how to design a fully triangulated space-frame type chassis that will carry loads as efficiently as possible,and how to design a suspension to give both good ride and good roadholding.

If you wish to design a modern day car using a tubular space frame, this book is absolutely essential. It will be very helpful as well to those wanting to design ultralight mileage record or solar cars. Even designers of monocoque chassis will find excellent ideas as to where their load paths should be going, and how their suspension movement should be controlled.

Don't be put off by the fact that the book is almost 40 years old. If you plan to build a space frame, find a copy.

There is yet to be a book written, that describes the why's and how's of designing a light-weight, high-performance sports car chassis in a more informative, yet pleasantly readable style than "Racing and Sports Car Chassis Design". There are other, more contemporary titles on this topic, and having read many of them, I have a strong impression that their authors were much influenced by this book; perhaps having studied it in their college and university years. That would not be surprising, for it is forty years since the author, Michael Costin, then Development Director of Lotus Cars Ltd., with technical writer David Phipps and automotive artist, James A. Allington completed what was to be acclaimed by the industry, and motoring enthusiasts, as the Chassis Designers' Bible.

Costin was also a chief chassis designer at Lotus Engineering, one-time home of many of the most creative and innovative thinkers in the history of motor-sports. He later became the Cos' of Cosworth fame. Quite a motor-sports pedigree!

The theory and basic principles of chassis design, including methods for chassis stress calculation, plotting suspension geometry, and selecting materials for a winning space-frame chassis are all comprehensively covered. The text is classically crafted, making this a reference book for the `coffee table' reader too. It is complemented with excellent illustrations and (now historical) photographs, and the reader will enjoy a revealing treatise from a fascinating period in motor-sports development. Reference to the appendices explaining the essential mathematical calculations, tables of materials specifications and the glossary will assist understanding of the engineering principles, and will be invaluable to the novice chassis designer. This is the material that contemporary writers have often, unfortunately, left out.

The sections on suspension, while now dated, examine the conflicting forces that influence road-holding and vehicle dynamics, and assess the advantages and disadvantages of the various suspension types then in use. The technology may have developed, but the principles that applied then still apply today, and would be readily recognized by todays engineering student.

If you are a motorsports enthusiast, and particularly one interested in building your own racing or sports car, then this book, though now out of print, is well worth the search. Of course, if you are planning to build a monocoque, or a composite-bodied racer, then you'll have to supplement this book with more recent titles.

As a current Lotus-Seven-inspired-sportscar builder, I value and constantly refer to my copy, and strongly recommend it to like-minded enthusiasts.

Put it in your shopping cart now,...your copy is out there.

Written from the perspective of an engineer, this book, which I first read 20 years ago is always a nice reflection back to a time when the sport was more individual. Part technical reference , part coffee table reading, it has lots of pictures and even a brief set of simple calculations in an appendix. I always enjoy reading it again. In my opinion, a timeless work

If you are thinking of building a "Locost" replica of the Lotus Seven according to Ron Champion's Build Your Own Sports Car for as Little as £250 and Race It!, you would be well advised to consult this book to see how Champion's design could be improved. As reviewer Ian Carter can probably attest, a chassis built straight from Champion's book will not pass the Australian government's mandatory test of torsional rigidity. A Web search for "Locost" will yield thousands of hits from which you can eventually dig out some minor improvements to the Locost chassis that will allegedly double its stiffness. But if the principles so clearly presented by Costin and Phipps were applied in a complete redesign, the chassis stiffness could probably be doubled again due to improved triangulation and the use of round rather than square tubing. (Sure, square tubing is easier to weld but structurally it's equivalent to round tubing that has already collapsed on four sides!)

This book is great. Gives you the information you need to get autographs from race car drivers from many major series. Very well written.Very easy to use. A great book.

Great book and put together very well. A definate must have for any racing fan or autograph collector. Really enjoyed this book and it works.

Great book. About time someone wrote an address book for racing.

Addresses that really work. Have already gotten autographs. Good book. Highly recommended.

Two men manage to fall in love in the midst of fighting and blowing things up. This story is also full of hot, steamy sex scenes.

MJ is heading out of the forest after blowing up some expensive logging equipment when he's stopped by Sonny. It seems MJ blew up the road that allows Sonny to get his moonshine out. Sonny and MJ spend some time beating each other up then reluctantly end up working together to escape the angry loggers looking for them. They manage to get a way, but it's just the beginning of their adventure.

MJ wakes in a strange place, and Sonny is still there. It doesn't take long to figure out that Sonny took him away and soon a getaway turns into a passionate vacation. Before long MJ has to get back to work though. When their plans to reconnect afterwards fall through, Sonny goes to claim MJ and he plans on never letting him go again, but there's danger still lurking around the corner.

Racing The Moon is a blast! Sonny and MJ have similar personalities, which makes for one hilarious and explosive moment after another. MJ and Sonny find themselves in one predicament after another in Racing The Moon. It's fun and danger rolled into one sexy and combustive package!

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I absolutely loved this book! The interaction between MJ and Sonny is explosive, there was a twist I didn't see until I was hit over the head with it and the story flowed like molasses. I forced myself to stop reading after every two chapters just to prolong the experience. MJ and Sonny do just about everything at maximum speed, but even when they pause for a breath they make you laugh at their inane way of thinking. Consider this a story of two men who between blowing up things, fighting, running, shooting, eating, having hot sex and opening up a can of whipa**, somehow manage to fall addictively in love. I was wary about buying a book from an author I know nothing about (since most gay romances are beyond terrible), but I'm definitely glad I gave this book a chance. I won't even complain about the price!

BA Tortuga is one of my favorite gay erotica writers and "Racing the Moon", his latest effort is sizzling, with steamy sex scenes, an amazingly fast paced and exciting plot and of course a hot gay couple. Sonny and MJ are unconventional characters. They are not "good" men but that is where the appeal of the story lies. Totally committed to each other, each man will do anything to keep his lover, like kidnapping his lover, rescuing his lover and even to the extent of nearly committing murder. Tortuga, how about another story on this hot couple.

What a fantastic read about a dynamite little lady that has a heart as big as a race track. Julie tells us of her ups and downs and what actually goes on inside a jockey's head before, during and after a race. She has got to be one of the greatest jockeys of all time, not because she is a woman, but because, she can race with the best, she has a heart of gold and a damn good brain to match. What an extremely rare athlete. You will certainly enjoy this book, even if you are not a race fan. My new heroine. Julie Krone. Would love to have the opportunity to meet her and despite her very tiny stature, you can be sure that she will let you know she is around. As a lady, of course. WOW!!!!

I read this book in 14 hours. I coudld read this book 20 million times!!! This book is a book where can't put it down!! I loved this book !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book is truly the best of the best. I've re-read it probably over seven times, yet I still get that feeling of astonishment at how Julie was able to become a racing hero. She went from the extreme bottom of horse racing to the top. After reading this book and watching her race. Julie is now my idle, my hero. She has inspired me to become a successful jockey. I, because of her, feel that I am going to be the first female jockey to win the triple crown. Everyone, remember my first name, Carly, for you'll be hearing of it a lot in a couple of years. Julie, I thank you and Nancy for writing such an extraordinary book, and for giving me the encouraggement through this book to live up to my full potential.

I found this book while trying to get an interesting biography about a famous woman athlete for a project I had to do. Because I am fond of horses, it was my good luck that this autobiography of the famous jockey, Julie Krone, came up in my path. With the help of Nancy Ann Richardson, Julie Krone has been able to capture her younger years and early racing experiences and give them an interesting twist. Even when it turned out that I didn't need to do the project, I felt that the book had been a worthwhile investment. I greatly enjoyed it and highly recommend it for it's interesting and real-life quality.

This is a heart-breaking story about a jockey who made her way to the top, only to nearly be killed when falling of during a race. I recomend this book for any reader.