Racing Books

It took a lot of guts for Gail to write this book. Wonderfully crafted, this is a majestic tale of the history of Nascar, whether they like it or not! Gail obviously plowed straight ahead, didn't let anything stop her, and the final product blew me away. Great, in-depth research ... North Carolina is proud of Gail's guts to write it how she saw it. I think every Nascar fan needs to buy a copy of this book and read it! Every last one of them! For that matter, I'm wondering if Jr., Gordon, Petty, Stewart, and the rest of those good ole' boys have read this book? If not, they're missing out on a well-told piece of their own history. Well done,Gail. Bravo.

Outstanding story of bravery and courage! The author captures the essence of the drivers' struggles, perserverance and determination. Easy read and very enjoyable! Great work from an outstanding author- I highly recommend it!!

Excellent book. I raced in the 1998 Dyea to Dawson wilderness ultra-marathon. John does a very good job of describing the race and the Klondike Gold rush of 1898.


Jerry S. Dixon

River Time: Racing The Ghosts Of The Klondike Rush is a chronicle of a Canadian backcountry adventure undertaken by John Firth and his nephew in their determination to travel the miles of rugged ground traversed by so many thousands of others back in the days of the Yukon Gold Rush. Combining historical record and modern-day adventure, as an uncle and nephew retrace the steps their grandfather blazed during the Klondike Rush of 1897-98, River Time is a breathtaking journey that stunningly portrays beautiful natural scenery, the rough hardships of nature, and reflects upon the reality of fierce human competition then and now. An absorbing travelogue, the next most vivid thing to embarking upon a Klondike gold rush recreation oneself.

This book is in print as part of "The Sunfish Bible", which also contains the books "The Sunfish Book", and "Successful Sunfish Racing", plus additional articles.

If you have an interest in racing the Sunfish sailboat, this old book is fun and worth the read. Many things have changed about the Sunfish since this book was written, but the one important lesson remains the same--sail it flat! Once I learned this lesson (many years ago, of course), racing one design boats became fun. I even brought home a trophy or two after reading it. If you can find a copy, buy it. This book is short and packed with great information. Though some of the info is now bound to be historical, I am certain many of the lessons still apply.

It's not NASCAR or the Indy 500. It is small town, dirt track racing. There's dust in the air, and colorful characters racing their cars around the track. There's plenty of competition, an intense desire to win, and enough mystery and intrigue to keep even non-racing fans on the edge of their seats.

SATURDAY NIGHT DIRT is set at Headwaters Speedway in Minnesota. Mel Walters and her father, Johnny Walters, are struggling to keep their little race track in business. Johnny, once a driver himself, is now confined to a wheelchair after a tragic accident years ago. Mel's mother needed only a few short weeks to determine she couldn't stay married to a man in a wheelchair, so Mel and her dad have been on their own for quite some time.

Still in high school, Mel acts as track manager, and she is probably the sole reason for the track's continued success. The story begins and ends on one Saturday. Because of Mel's drive and determination, it's a Saturday that makes history for the track and just might breathe some new life into it.

Other members of the cast of characters include several young racers like Trace, Amber, and Beau hoping to make their mark in racing. There's Patrick, who handles parking and sings the national anthem before the night's racing begins. Maurice is a retired navy man who handles the signal flags like a pro. There are also the down-and-out racers like Sonny from the local reservation who lack the funds to really be taken seriously by the other competitors. Even the ever present threat of bad weather becomes a player in the non-stop action at the track. Each plays a part in the Saturday night excitement and helps make the story a real page-turner.

SATURDAY NIGHT DIRT is billed on the cover as "A Motor Novel." Hopefully, that means it is the first of many more. Weaver's book is especially excellent for reluctant guy readers, even if they don't have a special interest in the sport of dirt track racing.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Auto racing is the number one spectator sport in this country not because of NASCAR or Indy, but because of the hundreds of short tracks that run weekly programs from Pennsylvannia to Kansas to California. The drivers are hometown heroes -- the guy or girl who bags your groceries, runs the auto body shop, sits next to you at school. From the pits to the popcorn seller, the ensemble cast in this young adult novel is spot on accurate and real. Crashes, intrigue, romance -- a good story and no better way to get young people, even "motorheads," to read!

Marsh Muirhead - author of "Key West Explained - a guide for the traveler

A colorfully illustrated celebration of the often expensive slot car hobby, with fascinating narrative & anecdotes covering the trajectory & evolution of scalextric product worldwide, from rudimentary beginnings through endorsement by real Formula 1 Champion Jim Clark in the sixties, up to the digital present. Contains a plethora of pictures of the people, cars, sets, scenery, accessories, etc., including detailed historical product line index in the back. For enthusiasts of all ages!

This is a comprehensive recap of the Scalextric toy line. A must have for any collector or someone interested in slot cars. It is a real help in figuring out if something is really a "collector's item" or identifying odd individual pieces. This is the goto Scalextric answer book.

Sea Of Dreams: Racing Alone Around The World In A Small Boat, by Adam Mayers is the riveting story of a fast-paced, around-the-world race for the "Around Alone" yacht race. Derek Hatfield in his yacht "Spirit of Canada" raced against twelve others around the world, beginning in New York Harbor, with stops in England, South Africa, New Zealand, and Brazil, and finally ending in Newport, Rhode Island. Sea Of Dreams is an amazing tale and very highly recommended reading, especially for anyone in search of a gripping and nautically inclined true-life story of a fearless pursuit of a dangerous race on the high seas.

This a great book, about the other solo around the world race. It reads like a thriller and taught me a lot of things I didn't know about solo sailing. Derek Lundy's Godforsaken Sea which was about the 96 Vendee was gripping and so is this one about the 02 Around Alone when the Cdn. Derek Hatfield was rolled over at the Horn and Brad Van Liew who lives in Charleston set new speed records for the race. His race was just as amazing. The other American guy Tim Kent was also a great story, getting stronger and stronger as the race went on.

Chapter 1. Always bet against the public. Betting at a racetrack is a zero sum game from which the track takes a significant chunk of the wagers before anyone gets paid. Further, the people who know the horses best and can easily fix the race, the owners and trainers, are betting against you. At best, only a minority can ever win. The track requires the majority to lose, therefore avoid the majority play. Only bet when two situations occur simultaneously: 1) you have well considered odds in your favor. 2) The public is betting your choice is a loser. Put the two together, and be sure to have 3-1 or better odds in your favor. In other words, always think in terms of probabilities.

Chapter 2. Things are easier now since the 'action' is more liquid and public opinion based on weak authorities.

Chapter 3. Keep up to date on new angles: read what the professional reads.

Chapter 4. The public doesn't lose their fair share. Statistically, they should only have 10% losses. Instead, many lose everything they bring to the track. They do this by allowing emotion to switch their betting style from one race to the next, and always switch at the wrong time. If they just picked 'position 6' every time, they would only lose 10%, but they bet little when they should bet much, and much when they shouldn't bet at all. It is the 'switches' that pull money from the public. Having 'guts' means sticking with your strategy in the face of losses. You can count on the public being unable to demonstrate guts.

Chapter 5. Ever changing cycles: The game will only last as long as people see enough winners to convince them they have a chance. If the 'true' odds become obvious, no one would play. Therefore, there must always be long shot winners and ceaseless change in the strategies of the winners. Early in the season, the public badly assesses the odds, the pros bet them and win. Late in the season, the public loads up on the good horses, but this reduces the odds, so the long shots get undervalued and provide the winning odds.

Chapter 6-7. Be aware the owners and trainers need not always focus on winning. Know what motivates the owner of the horse to enter the race. Are they building a reputation? Trying to win purses? Trying to turn the public against the horse, then win as a long shot? Understand the rules constraining owners and trainers. Know the claiming rules. Know how to read the weight reports.

Chapter 8: Sum the odds. The odds are reported as 3-1, 4-1, etc, so it isn't obvious that the sum should be 100. Convert the odds to percentages and sum the list. If the sum of each horse's chance of winning is less than 100, bet on every horse and you are sure to win. If you are sure a favorite won't win, you can create a sure win by betting on everything else (less than 100 sum). The track is sure to make money if the sum is over 100.

Chapter 9: Make your own price lines (100% books) and test them every day (paper workouts)

Chapter 10: Pittsburgh Phil's system: buy the stuff that no one wants. It takes guts to stick with the system. It killed Pittsburgh Phil at 52. It takes guts, that is why it doesn't matter if everyone knows the system. Guts isn't the ability to ignore fear, it is the ability to stick to your original goal, process and strategy. (!!!!)

Chapter 11: Money management: the obvious, don't spend your living expenses, but also, the important thing is your emotional balance. Without balance, you switch and that is how to lose.

Chapter 12: you cannot grind, you must speculate. You can't chisel, you must gamble. Accept and expect more losers than winners.

Chapter 13-15: Reading the racing publications

The rest of the book is a detailed plan for seasonal betting, January through December, one chapter per month.

While reading, I speculated on how to apply this to the securities markets. What is a 'race', a day of trading? In terms of stocks, what are 'claiming races'? What are weights?

The notion of 'ever changing cycles' is really interesting. The 'racing game' is clearly a product of some evolutionary process that weeded out less robust 'betting markets'. By looking at the 'game' as a whole, one can see it as an activity perfectly designed, but having no designer. Most will lose, but still find it enjoyable enough to continue the playing. Further, it is impossible to investigate unemotionally, since the attraction perpetuating the games existence is entirely emotional. The opacity is central to the game's survival.

Excellent!!One of the best books on professional speculation around!! How rare is the man that understands mass psychology and how to "copper" the public. Heard famous speculator vic niederhoffer used to make this reqd reading for all new employees. It is a true gem on the great endevour of speculation and the speculative mind.

I read the book and it was fantastic and not because i wanted to its because i wanted to know more about my uncle as i never knew him he died a few years before i was born, and to find out that he was a world champion and that people love him then and even now makes me proud to be an O'Dell.

The story begins with a realistic look of sidecar racing history and its great drivers and passengers. Things you have to know about the subject. The late George O'Dell describes his way to the top, the ups & downs. All that in a environment of the authentic Continental Circus as it was (70-ties) and never will be again. The upcoming of two-stroke and down going of the famous Rennsport BMW. As well as the intoduction of monocoque frames. An change of era viewed from within a team. For the enthousiast, a book to read in one breath. I lent my book to a ex-sidecar driver and I never saw it back. I think I know why... With great, spectacular and unseen pictures.

After making every conceivable mistake in our quest to find something fun to do with our retired racing greyhound, we found this book. What a great resource! The author walks you through all the steps to get started in amateur performance events. It's also been a wonderful reference work as we've continued to participate and learn.

I have been enchanted with sighthounds since I was a young girl. I'm still in awe at how they've survived since ancient times virtually the same. This book covers sighthound breeds commonly seen at AKC dog shows: Afghan Hound; Borzoi; Irish Wolfhound; Saluki; Scottish Deerhound; ect.... But there are also fascinating histories of breeds virtually unknown in the USA, or even outside of their homelands. There is also information given on a few breeds believed to be extinct. Photos are not provided for every breed due to the breed's obscurity. The photos & line drawings are all in black & white; some are quite old so the quality isn't the best. I must add that this book is the only one I know of to date that includes information on the Silken Windhound! If you are infatuated by sighthounds as I am, I definately recommend this book to you! It's not for the casual dog person though.

It's eighty-seven degrees, just after noon and Danny and his father are sharing a cigarette in the heat on their way to the track.

This is the way of Michael DeCapite. How he moves through the telling of what he sees. Life as it is, with no embellishment. Slow mostly. Mostly time passing...

DeCapite is to writing what baseball is to sports-deceptively simple, slow, quiet, an expanse of green spread out under sun or lights, a few players...waiting...most of them. Men returning to the field daily, doing it again, waiting it out. A field so perfectly laid out that the deeper into you get, the more you realize the perfection of the game-from the precise incline of the pitcher's mound, adjusted over the years to most evenly match pitcher and batter-to the distance to dead center-it all matters...quietly...it's all headed somewhere. And there is so much going on in any given moment that you can scarcely take it in. This is DeCapite on the page.

Sitting Pretty is a quiet story. Seven men spending an afternoon together, old friends, one of them dying, his grown son too `slow,' too `troubled' to realize. "Those doctors know what they're doing. They're scientists. My dad was sick but he went to see the doctor. They can do anything. The doctor gave him some pills, he's better now. Aren't you, Dad? Hey Dad, you're my sunshine, right?"

Gambling, drinking, cancer, oppressive heat, loss, the horses barreling down the stretch for home...all this hanging from the afternoon sky, while downstage, seven lives move tenderly through another couple of hours. So quietly you might miss it if you didn't know where to look. A father's hand on the back of his son's neck. The whole world is in it.

DeCapite traffics gracefully in the realm of the overlooked - here in Sitting Pretty and in his novel Through the Windshield. I hope America doesn't overlook Michael DeCapite.

I had to read it twice, and will probably read it several times more to get all the little nuances that Decapite has filled this story with. My favorite line on first reading..."It's so bright my soul squints..." The story is very male socially and very human relationally. It offers an insight into something that most of us take for granted, a father's love. Decapite's writing captures the essence of the human relationships in a microcosm that is so full, it is like glimpsing the angels on the head of a pin.