Motor racing -Circuits                                                           *SPECIAL BOOK OFFER*                                       

Heavily illustrated reference books profiling some of the world's leading motor racing circuits 

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Monaco Grand Prix -a photographic portrait of the world's most prestigeous motor race (Hardback book)
HXH4401
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  Front cover    By Michael Hewett. Hardback, 315 x 245mm, 320 pages, 200 colour & 200 b&w illustrations
Exquisite photographs, most of them published here for the first time, provide an intimate portrait of the Monaco Grand Prix, from the first race in 1929 through to the present day. The images come from three collections - British photographer Michael Hewett, who has attended every race since 1962, the Rainier family's Palace Archives and the Monaco Tourist Board. Shot from every possible vantage point on the mountainous street circuit, the photographs capture the magic of this fabulous event.  "Unremittingly wonderful" The Daily Telegraph

Monte Carlo Rally -The Golden Age 1911-1980
HER15
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 Front cover   By Graham Robson. 240 pages. 270 x 210mm. 300+ illustrations

In its heyday the Monte Carlo Rally was the only rally that made the daily papers. Hundreds of entrants, in cars of all shapes and sizes, battled through mid-winter snow, fog, ice and darkness from far-flung starting points towards the magical principality of Monaco. Mishaps, breakdowns and smashes abounded and close encounters and feats of crazy bravado were commonplace. The first rally was run in 1911, with just 23 starters. In 1930 there were 115, in 1949 205, and in the peak year, 1953, there were no less than 404.

In this book, every Rally held between 1911 and 1980 is covered, including results and route maps. As the years unfold we see the successes of Hotchkiss in the late 1940s, Sunbeam-Talbot in the early 1950s, Mini-Cooper in the 1960s, Porsche 911 in the late 1960s, and the dominance of Alpine Renault and Lancia Stratos in the 1970s.

World renowned rally expert and author Graham Robson also provides essential information on regulations, routes, on what competitors were required to do, on the tests held after arrival in Monaco, on classes of entries, and on the various Concours, including for instance the Concours de Confort, that were there to be won. With more than 300 archive photographs, this book provides both the definitive history of the greatest motor rally of all time, as well as an evocative view of motor racing's golden age. "An interesting read. This is a major research exercise which will provide an ever useful reference" The Automobile

Autodrome -the lost race circuits of Europe
VEL6
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 Front cover    By SS Collins and Gavin D Ireland. 250mm tall x 250mm, 176 artpaper pages, 160 pictures (100 colour). Cloth hardback binding
From the great speed bowls of Monza and Brooklands, to the parkland of Crystal Palace (London), this fine book takes a nostalgic look at Europe's 'lost' motor racing venues in their heydays and ... and as they are today. It contains stunning original photography of every circuit, as well as track diagrams which show the evolution of the circuits and also includes period photographs and period memorabilia illustrations such as programme covers/event posters. Many of the circuits featured now lie like long forgotten monuments, wind swept and abandoned, with derelict buildings and crumbling tarmac.  "Well-written and captivating to look at, Autodrome captures the romance and faded glory of these old circuits before time and developers destroy them forever" Classic Car Weekly 

Brands Hatch -The definitive history of Britain's best loved motor racing circuit
HXH4334
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 Front cover   By Chas Parker. Hardback, 280 x 230mm, 240 pages, 125 colour & 125 b&w illustrations
The Brands Hatch circuit in Kent is a motorsport mecca, and was once the busiest motorsport venue in the world. Scene of many classic Formula One and sports car races, as well as numerous other international, national and club events, the circuit is currently undergoing a renaissance under the ownership of Jonathan Palmer's MotorSport Vision company. Here is the definitive history of Brands Hatch, featuring the events, cars, motorcycles and characters that have made it Britain's best-loved motor racing circuit.  "Plenty of fantastic quotes from former owners, the photographers who made it their second home, plus many of those who raced there." Classic and Sports Car

Motor Racing at Brands Hatch in the Seventies (Hardback book)
VEL4
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Front cover    By Chas Parker. Hardback. 190 x 205mm. 80 pages. 150 pictures mainly in colour.
During the 1970s, Brands Hatch was the busiest motor racing circuit in the world. Using previously unpublished photographs and accounts of events, this book provides a personal view of activities and changes at the track during its heyday and paints an affectionate picture of motor racing at its very best. "Cheap and cheerful and a charming scrapbook quality" Motorsport Magazine

Brooklands -100 Years of the Birthplace of British Motorsport and Aviation
VX9MRP16
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 Front cover    By Ron Bambridge. HB 192 pages 270 mm x 270 mm. Full colour dust jacket Over 130 photographs

Prior to 1907, motor sport was banned on public roads in the UK, forcing drivers to enter races in Europe. To address this situation, Hugh Fortescue Locke-King decided to transform 330 acres of his Brooklands estate near Weybridge in Surrey into the world's first purpose-built race track, and Brooklands Motor Course was born.  Motor racing at Brooklands then came to an end in 1939 when it became one of Britain's first aerodromes and a world-renowned centre of engineering excellence. This book, featuring all new photography from the collection of famous cars, motorbikes and aircraft at the Brooklands Museum, was specially commissioned by Brooklands Museum and takes a fascinating look at the history of the birthplace of British motor sport.

Brooklands -the official Centenary History (Hardback book)
HXH4329
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 Front cover     By David Venables. Hardback, 280 x 230mm, 256 pages, 100 colour & 200 b&w illustrations
This book on Brooklands was produced to celebrate the centenary of the racing circuit in 2007 and its important role in British motoring history and aviation. But, as David Venables reveals in this glorious commemorative volume, the famous Surrey landmark, with its banked race circuit and aircraft manufacturing, hosted many other activities too, from motorcycle and bicycle racing to land speed records, not to mention stunts, wagers and even the odd scandal.  "A wonderfully evocative book....worth it for the photographs alone" The Daily Mail

Brooklands Giants -brave men and their great cars (Hardback book)
HXH4315
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 Front cover     By Bill Boddy. Hardback, 270 x 210mm, 320 pages, 300 b&w illustrations
Brooklands has legendary status in the world of motor racing and this book is a combination of two classic earlier books "Brooklands Giants" and "Aero-Engined Racing Cars at Brooklands" reissued as a huge, single volume to meet popular interest in the extraordinary machines that roared round the famous banked racing circuit from its inception in 1907 to its demise upon the outbreak of war in 1939. With an enthusiast's delight, the revered author, Bill Boddy, the long-term Editor of Motor Sport magazine, describes those adventurous times, the monster cars and their intrepid drivers. "A must for anyone remotely interested in Brooklands" The Automobile

Daytona 500: An Official History
HXDB1819
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daytona-smallbook
Front cover  By Bob Zeller. Hardback, 279 x 279mm, 192 pages, 268 colour and black & white illustrations

Finally! The first comprehensive book about the greatest race in America! The individual stories of the men and machines that have made Daytona NASCAR’s premier event are powerfully told in this sensational book. Beginning with the early beach-and-road course era, the book reveals the drama behind each race from the inaugural 1959 race through the tragic 2001 event in which Dale Earnhardt lost his life. Richly illustrated with never-before-seen photos uncovered from the depths of the Daytona archives.

Postcards from Detroit -Remembering Formula One in the Motor City (Hardback book)
HXDB1872
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 Front cover     By Roger Hart. Hardback, 255 x 230mm, 96 pages, 103 b&w photos
No one would ever confuse Motown with Monaco but in the 1980s the two cities had at least one thing in common: both were hosts to Grands Prix. In 1982 in an effort to showcase the home of Ford, G.M. and Chrysler as an international world-class city, community leaders lured the F1 circus into running a 2.5-mile course on the bumpy streets around Detroit's Renaissance Center. After seven years and winners (John Watson, Michele Alboreto, Nelson Piquet, Keke Rosberg, and Ayrton Senna), the races left Detroit, never to return. Dramatic photos and insightful reminiscences from drivers, teams, and journalists capture the event's rich stories and distinctly American atmosphere. "Wonderfully rendered in black and white, which gives it the kind of intimacy of an earlier era" Road and Track

Motor Racing at Goodwood in the Sixties (Hardback book)
VEL3
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  Front cover    By Tony Gardiner. Hardback. 205 x 190mm (landscape). 96 artpaper pages. 150 period photographs in monochrome.
Another "pictures from the past" type publication -this one taking a nostalgic look at the famous Goodwood race circuit in Sussex. It is packed with 150 never before published & wonderfully evocative photos taken between 1961 & 1966 when the famous & popular circuit closed. A concise text tells the story behind the pictures about how accessible motor racing used to be.

The British at Le Mans, 85 Years of Endevour (Hardback book)
VXMRP3
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 Front cover     By Ian Wagstaff.  Hardback, 286 x 236 mm, 280 pages, over 400 b&w and colour illustrations
Every year, scores of British drivers converge on Le Mans to compete in the world’s most gruelling motor race; hundreds more support them in the pits and paddock, and many thousands of Union Jack-waving enthusiasts make their annual pilgrimage to cheer them on from the grandstands and spectator terraces. These are their stories of what many regard as the ‘British race held in France’. In 32 chapters and scores of side bars, this book not only pays tribute to the people who sit behind the wheel, but to all who have shared in their successes and disappointments over the years. Car designers, engineers, team managers, timekeepers, flag marshals, truckies, caterers, press officers, journalists, broadcasters, photographers and cameramen are all part of the support troops for the annual battle against the 24-hour clock and the foreign opposition, but are all too often forgotten when the champagne corks are released. In this wide-ranging book, the author takes the reader behind the scenes to reveal their stories behind the stories, many of them as fascinating as the main drama played out on the track. "This well illustrated book contains a lot of interesting history and is a better reference book than most on the subject" The Automobile 

The Magic of the Mille Miglia -The World's Greatest Road Race
HXH4139
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 Front cover   By Anthony Pritchard. Hardback, 280 x 230mm, 256 pages, 20 colour & 230 b&w illustrations
First held in 1927, and staged periodically over the next 30 years, the Mille Miglia ('thousand miles') road race was one of the greatest of all motorsport events. It attracted a vast number of entries, from amateur drivers in family cars as well as the great drivers and marques. Published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the last race, this fascinating book recreates the races, the atmosphere, the politics, the technical changes - even the weather and road surfaces. "This book does a good job of conveying stories of the world's greatest road race with hundreds of period photos" Classics Monthly

The Shelsley Walsh story -A century of motorsport
HX4090
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 Front cover  By Simon Taylor. Hardback, 280 x 230mm, 224 pages, 250 historic illustrations
For a hundred years some of motorsport's greatest drivers and cars have tested their power at Shelsley Walsh, the Midland Automobile Club's famous speed hillclimb course in rural Worcestershire. Here - packed with atmospheric detail, archive photography and a directory of records - is the inspiring story of the oldest motorsport venue in the world that is still operational. In this era of commercialism, Shelsley still stands for sportsmanship, hard-fought but friendly contests, and motorsport purely for fun. "Impressive" Classic and Sports Car