Books Racing driver autobiographies.

Down F0rce · 25 Nov 2006, 18:39 (Ref:1774824)

I'm interested in getting a few autobiographies by racing drivers. I have two of the "essential" ones, by Zanardi and McCarthy. What other ones hould I look out for?

kelvin88 · 25 Nov 2006, 18:49 (Ref:1774828)

might i recomend Ronnie Peterson~SuperSwede. Gives a fantistic insight of Karting and racing in the junior formulas in the 60's and 70's before his time in F1. good photos too.

Knowlesy · 25 Nov 2006, 21:33 (Ref:1774924)

I just done the Lauda autobio (To Hell And Back), I rather enjoyed it. Didn't take long to read, so it must have been good!

ensign14 · 25 Nov 2006, 22:27 (Ref:1774947)

Lauda has another one - "Meine Story" - which is better for his career pre-77.

Best of them is Innes Ireland's "All Arms And Elbows". Mark Donohue's "The Unfair Advantage" is also up there and the two Mike Hawthorn ones, which were reprinted in about 1988, are definite must reads.

Stirling Moss is well covered - "My Cars My Career" probably the best, but you can get different aspects in "Alf Francis - Racing Mechanic" and "Managing A Legend" by Ken Gregory.

And Graham Hill's two are worth a look out for.

Others will doubtless come to mind in due course...

Knowlesy · 25 Nov 2006, 22:34 (Ref:1774950)

I was going to get Meine Story, but was unsure if it was any different.

But seing as you recommend it, I'll hunt it down!

I have loads of autobio's, I just cannot remember any of them....apart from ones that have been mentioned here.

ensign14 · 26 Nov 2006, 08:40 (Ref:1775099)

Meine Story is the American title for "For The Record". I think. If in doubt get the latter.

**John Turner** · 26 Nov 2006, 09:48 (Ref:1775125)

Agree with Ensign's post#4, although I have yet to get my hands on 'The Unfair Advantage'. I also really enjoyed Derek Bell's 'My Racing Life' and Paul Frere's 'My Life full of Cars', which includes his racing exploits, is a good read.

tator2001uk · 26 Nov 2006, 19:13 (Ref:1775379)

Get hole of Dale Earnheart Juniors if you can its a good read, found it in a reduction book shop a year or 2 ago, brilliant read into the insights of what has happened to the lad!

kelvin88 · 26 Nov 2006, 19:16 (Ref:1775382)

The film "3" is a goodun too, tator2001uk. about Dale snr.

tator2001uk · 26 Nov 2006, 19:55 (Ref:1775413)

thanks, might look for that, any bargains anyone know off anywhere??? iv started a post for us all to help with the xmas prezzies!

Truckosaurus · 27 Nov 2006, 09:46 (Ref:1775749)

Can I second the Donohue "Unfair Advantage" book, it is very good, as much about the cars as the man himself, in fact Donohue is very modest as to his efforts.

Although not strictly an autobiography, "Mon Ami Mate" about Collins and Hawthorn is well worth its substantial cover price.

Editted to add: even further into leftfield, look out a copy of Tom Wolfe's "The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby" which has biographies of Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth (the legendary hot rodder) and Junior Johnson the moonshiner turned NASCAR hero.

Knowlesy · 27 Nov 2006, 17:47 (Ref:1776011)

Is the Earnhardt Jr book a biography or autobiography? What is it called?

ensign14 · 27 Nov 2006, 17:53 (Ref:1776012)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

Can I second the Donohue "Unfair Advantage" book, it is very good, as much about the cars as the man himself, in fact Donohue is very modest as to his efforts.

Very modest indeed. When reading it I was thinking "how on earth did this chap ever win anything? He's a totally lousy driver..."

Incidentally I had the same feeling reading Phil Hill's. Both seem to dwell more on failures than their considerable successes.

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