Rodney Walkerley

Lovely little book, long out of print of course, but still available 'used' at reasonable prices and well worth it if you like to read about the sport's history. In 17 chapters, it contains some fascinating race accounts, mostly by actual competitors or associates. All are extracted from original sources. Walkerley's role is as a compiler who introduces each chapter, providing some background commentary including race results etc.

The races covered: S. F. Edge - 1902 Gordon Bennett Trophy; Charles Jarrott - 1903 Paris to Madrid; W. F. Bradley - 1906 Targa Florio; The Motor (November 1934) - 1906 French GP; Peter De Paolo - 1921 French GP; Henry Segrave - 1923 French GP; Motor Sport (September 1926) - 1926 British GP (Brooklands); 'Tim' Birkin - 1928 Le Mans; Giovanni Lurani - 1930 Brooklands Double-Twelve Hours; Richard Hough - 1931 RAC Tourist Trophy (Ards); Alfred Neuberger - 1933 Tripoli GP; Prince Chula - 1936 JCC International Trophy (Brooklands); David McDonald - 1938 LSR attempts at Bonneville; Paul Frere - 1955 Belgian GP; Fangio/Marcello Giambertone - 1957 German GP; Mike Hawthorne - 1958 French GP; Stirling Moss - 1959 Le Mans (his thoughts before the race).

All are amazing evocative pieces of writing, but my favourites are the early ones, in particular Charles Jarrott's riveting account of the 1903 Paris - Madrid marathon. He was first on the road on that fateful day, arriving second at Bordeaux where the race was stopped. His description of his own race, ending with a dawning realisation of the tragedy unfolding behind is spellbinding.

The book includes several blocks of monochrome plates and circuit/route diagrams within the text. There are other editions currently on offer, but I am not aware how they differ from this 1963 issue.… (más)