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Post by indy on Jan 19, 2015 11:32:30 GMT -5
Gentlemen, start your lists!!
Jordan
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Post by alwaysindy on Jan 19, 2015 11:34:52 GMT -5
Gentlemen, Start your engines-----Wilbur Shaw++++++good, but much is about behind the scene stuff
Black Noon--------Art Garner++++++++++++++++++++I loved it because it really helped me understand the Indy vibe in 1964
The Unfair Advantage-------Mark Donahue++++++++++expensive to buy
Adventure on Wheels--------John Fitch++++++++++++++this one started it all for me: from P-51 pilot to Lemans '55...virtually impossible to find now
All the B S Levy books+++++++++++++++++++++++++++entertaining books about early sports car racing:Sebring, Carreras Panamericana,Watkins Glen etc.---well done
Umbrella Mike ---------Brock Yates++++++++++++++++++excellent read about how The Boyle Special came to dominate
Peter Revson (can't remember the title)++++++++++++++interesting but short...his comments about Indy and F1 are fascinating
These are some I've read except for Donahue which I'm trying to get...please add to the list, comment, review, etc. This is just a list to start the conversation...Also, I' m up for trades etc...once I read a book, I rarely re-read it..
Tim
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Post by indy on Jan 19, 2015 11:38:21 GMT -5
Personal favorites:
Rick Mears' Thanks (4x Indy 500 & 3x series Champ)
Alex Zanardi's My Sweetest Victory (2x series Champ)
Dr. Steve Olvey's Rapid Response (Dr on CART/Indy Safety Team)
Bill Simpson's Racing Safely, Living Dangerously (Safety gear innovator, former Indy racer & owner)
Currently reading Nigel Bennett's Inspired to Design (designer for Lotus/Ensign in F1 and Lola/Penske in CART/Indy) and it has been good so far.
Jordan
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Post by 2lapsdown on Jan 19, 2015 14:48:31 GMT -5
Revson's book is Speed With Style
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 14:52:08 GMT -5
That Peter Revson book is titled 'Speed With Style' Good to read for flavor, but not a true favorite. I'll tell you how old I am. I was racing about three years by the time Donohue's book 'The Unfair Advantage' came out. I have a first edition, and I could have had it autographed. Dum Dum. I knew the guy who first wrenched for him, and the book does him no justice whatsoever. Lou Shultz was a racing philosopher and 'guidance counseler' to me as well. His ideas about race cars were a tad antiquated by then, but his ability to get the right attitude and strategic thinking from his drivers was amazing. When Mark died Lou was a broken man. I tried to distract him with my own racing activities, but there was a bit of him missing.
The Mudge Pond Express- Sam Posey. Not bad at all
Offenhauser- Gordon White- essential reading
The Indianopolis 500- Jack C Fox- Every car from the beginning up to 1967 is depicted (Thumbnail size) and the winner
is briefly described and well pictured. A bit of history and a great reference book.
Bobby Rahal, The graceful Racer- Now this time I DID get autographs; on the side cover from my Formula Ford, A 1/43rd Model of his last Indy car, and of course, the book.
The Art and Science of Grand Prix Driving- Niki Lauda. just plain fascinating
There are more; both biographic and technical that I consider worth the time. Right now I'm overhauling my airbrush and I want to get back to that so I can proceed with the important work, making models!
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Post by clm1545 on Jan 19, 2015 15:42:01 GMT -5
I would add
Ford, The dust & the glory Vol 1 and 2 **** Leo Levine
Indy 500 Mechanic **** Clint Brawner
Lone Star J R **** Johnny Rutherford
My Hero, My Friend Jimmy Bryan **** Len Gasper
A J, My life as America's greatest
race car driver **** A J Foyt
If you ever wondered how good A J was, he is glad to tell you
Ebay can be a good place to find books at a good price
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 16:02:03 GMT -5
"They call me Mr. 500" by Andy Granatelli
" My years with Ferrari" by Niki Lauda
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Post by Calvin on Jan 19, 2015 16:54:37 GMT -5
I'm only able to read picture books.....does that count?  |
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Post by hurtubise56 on Jan 19, 2015 17:09:56 GMT -5
I would have to 2nd "They Call Me Mr. 500" and for a great contrast to Lauda's driving book, try "Techniques of Motor Racing" by Piero Tarrufi.
Brian
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Post by 2lapsdown on Jan 19, 2015 17:44:32 GMT -5
Dr Steve Olvey's book "Rapid Response" is a real eye opener into the safety aspects of modern day racing.
John
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Post by oldphotos on Jan 19, 2015 18:10:08 GMT -5
Update on the Jack Fox book The Indianapolis 500
The first edition cover 1911-1967 as mentioned before
The 2nd edition covers 1911-1975
The 3rd edition covers 1911-1984
the 4th and last edition covers 1911-1994
all edition are the same on all the years just updated for the new years added.
A great source for reference on most Indy 500 cars and drivers.
Oldphotos
Walt
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Post by trevor83 on Jan 19, 2015 18:11:25 GMT -5
Wall Smacker by Pete DePaolo
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Post by clm1545 on Jan 19, 2015 19:17:15 GMT -5
I'm only able to read picture books.....does that count? No, Calvin. Turn the TV off, and read a book |
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Post by 1961redlegs on Jan 19, 2015 20:10:36 GMT -5
This is a great list, and as a prolific reader I would add the following for your consideration:
Thunder at Sunrise-book about the earliest years of American racing, it is what Blood and Smoke could've been. This is an excellent yet almost overlooked title. It's pricey but it is worth the money. I got mine several years ago.
As a Matter of Fact I Am Parnelli Jones
Janet Guthrie: A Life at Full Throttle-best racing memoir I've ever read.
King of the Boards-this is a biography of Jimmy Murphy that is chock full of photos. This is another excellent title.
Team Lotus: The Indianapolis Years-as the title states it covers the years Team Lotus contested the Indianapolis 500 as written by an insider, Andrew Ferguson. Excellent, excellent title.
Rodger Ward: Superstar of Racing's Golden Age.
My Road to Indy-memoirs of Len Sutton
Challenge Me the Race and Champion Year-both memoirs of Mike Hawthorn, insightful.
Team Lotus: My View from the Pit Wall, behind the scenes with the team from 1970 to the end.
Ralph DePalma: Gentleman Racer
The 1912 Milwaukee Races-excellent photography and text about the 1912 Grand Prize and Vanderbilt Cup races.
Formula One:Year by Year-published in 2012 and is an extremely valuable resource for me.
Leader Card Racers: A Dynasty of Speed
Damn Few Died in Bed
My Life at the Limit-Graham Hill's memoirs, hilarious as well as poignant. Essential.
Winning is not Enough-Jackie Stewart's memoirs.
Tracks: Racing the Sun-a novel about the 1920's and 30's Grand Prix Circuit published last year.
Hard Luck Lloyd- Biography of Lloyd Ruby
A Month at the Brickyard-another classic.
A Hand for the Wheel-biography of Mel Kenyon
The Autocourse Official Guide to the Indianapolis 500-Donald Davidson wrote this so you know it's quality.
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Post by 1961redlegs on Jan 19, 2015 20:23:33 GMT -5
I'm with Craig, Calvin. There are some incredible titles out there you'd love!
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Post by Chris on Jan 19, 2015 20:52:56 GMT -5
I picked up a copy of "They Call Me Mr.500" by Granatelli,at an estate sale, when I got it home I opened it up to reveal it was signed by Ed Winfield, the famous Carb manufacturer and Novi specialist, the chapter on the Novi had tons of underlining done by Mr. Winfield, referencing all his development work and contributions to the car and race.. quite interesting and very uncommon.. Chris
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Post by Michael Chriss on Jan 19, 2015 21:10:41 GMT -5
I recently finished "Beast" about the 1994 Mercedes Penske Engine. I wondered how a whole book about making an engine could be interesting, but I enjoyed it allot. Highly recommended.
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Post by Calvin on Jan 19, 2015 21:35:01 GMT -5
I'm with Craig, Calvin. There are some incredible titles out there you'd love! I have a lot of books...two book shelves full actually (over 100 books) but I really have a hard time sitting down and relaxing and reading......most of my books are picture books...I need to be better about reading chapter books but I just don't have it in me to ever sit down and doing it. Whenever I did book reports in school I always lied as I never read the book. here recently I got the 1960's and 70's Dick Wallen books and those are incredible! it has great pics and reviews all the USAC races and it's in chronological order which I LOVE! |
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Post by Calvin on Jan 19, 2015 21:36:26 GMT -5
I'm only able to read picture books.....does that count? No, Calvin. Turn the TV off, and read a book But...but...  |
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Post by racerbrown on Jan 19, 2015 23:14:08 GMT -5
any of the bob gates books are well done: troy ruttman, hurtubise and vukovich.
le mans '55
mickey thompson
kurtis-kraft by gordon white
safe at any speed - joie chitwood
miller cars and biography by borgeson
rex mays pole position
race man the traco dynasty
miller dynasty by mark dees
fearless by gene crucean
i'll also put a plug in for the good people at coastal 181 where i by a lot of my books from.
duane
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Post by oldphotos on Jan 19, 2015 23:56:30 GMT -5
It's hard to pick a good book when I have Over 600 books to use for reference on models and real cars.
And this is not counting Race programs or press kits.
They are all good in there own way,
Oldphotos
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Post by Calvin on Jan 20, 2015 3:27:29 GMT -5
It's hard to pick a good book when I have Over 600 books to use for reference on models and real cars. Holy smokes! Is the oldphotos motorsports library open to the public? |
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Post by pje on Jan 20, 2015 14:49:20 GMT -5
All great reads listed so far. I have many of them and Andrew Ferguson’s book Team Lotus: The Indianapolis Years stands out as my personal favorite. (a lot of pictures in this one Calvin) I would like to add “Mario Andretti, A Driving Passion” by Gordon Kirby and also Steve Matchett’s books: The Mechanic’s Tale, Life in the Fast Lane, and The Chariot Makers. Paul Erlendson |
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Post by raceparke on Jan 20, 2015 17:34:46 GMT -5
Second that on the Kirby book. Also Indy car by RogerHuntington, Lotus racing cars 1948-1968 by John Tipler, the Ludvigsen series-Indy cars of the 1960s and others.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2015 20:34:05 GMT -5
Go: The Bettenhausen Story
A favorite of mine.
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Post by gwstexas on Jan 21, 2015 10:19:08 GMT -5
For those of us who love racing history, and who doesn't, I would have to say the essential books are all of the Dick Wallen books, Gordon White's Offenhauser book, Jack Fox's Indy, sprint and midget books, and Mark Dees' Miller Dynasty.
My favorite biography is Hurtubise by Bob Gates but all of the ones mentioned here are great.
Gary
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Post by kip on Jan 21, 2015 12:51:43 GMT -5
I really enjoyed The Watson Years by Gary Wayne. Amazing research behind this one. I got mine from Pit Stop Books. I would second those that have recommended the Dick Wallen books and totally endorse gwstexas in recommending Herk (but then I'm biased). Actually Herk is very interesting, especially his pre-indy years about how drivers rose to the top in those days.
kip
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Post by jamesharvey on Jan 22, 2015 8:03:15 GMT -5
It seems several of us have and appreciate many of the same books. I am a fan of the Watson roadsters and have found The Watson Years to be invaluable. I also really enjoy and find useful Dick Wallen's books including Board Track Guts, Gold & Glory. That book is a wonderful read with great pictures (many from Indy) which is encouraging to take on some of Gary Doucette's latest offerings.
Jim
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2015 10:49:42 GMT -5
Here is a few more to add to the mix.
The American Dirt Track Racer
Indy Racing Before the 500
The Unser Legacy
The British at Indianapolis
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Post by racerbrown on Jan 22, 2015 19:01:39 GMT -5
thanks to jerry (1961redlegs) i picked up a copy of "thunder at sunrise". it indeed looks like a great book to add to my collection. he was right about it being a bit pricey as the cheapest hardcover copy i could find was $740.00.  fortunately they sell a paperback version for a little over $30.00. duane |
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