I'm off on me hols next week and need a recommendation for some petrol head / car / motorsport related reading. An autobiography would be good.
Come on chaps - book reviews should be submitted below...
Rich, Try 'It Beats Working' by the journalist Eoin Young. As a journalist by trade his writing is somewhat less prosaic that El Pel.
If you don't know of him see the text below from his website:
"Eoin Young is a New Zealander who left a bank job to join Bruce McLaren and help set up his racing team. More or less. He arrived in the UK in 1961 as a freelance journalist, covered the Formula Junior season with Denny Hulme, joined McLaren in 1962. Founder director of team. Established Motormedia 1966. Started weekly "Autocar" diary page in 1967 -- it ran until 1998. Covered CanAm, Indy and GP series. In 1979 established as a dealer in rare motoring and motor racing books and ephemera. Still trading with regular lists. Autobiography "It Beats Working" published in 1996. He lives in tiny low-beam period cottage in Bookham, Surrey. Drives VW Golf VR6. "
The book is both informative and very funny (in my view) and there are many tales of drivers and team owners/managers' extra curricular exploits. Along with a real insight to the motor sport scene that can only be recounted by someone directly involved.
I bought it a couple of years ago and am taking it on my hols to re-read this year.
To get a sample of his writing style have a look at his website
www.eoinyoung.com and read one of the diary pieces.
Happy reading.