How about a thread regarding "good reads" for those who want to learn more about racing. Please add to the list....

Speed Secrets - Ross Bentley
Going Faster - Danny Sullivan and Carl Lopez
Drive to Win - Carroll Smith


Greg

 

Competition Driving by Alain Prost (and another french guy)

Are you looking for books on technique, or about racing in general?

 

The Unfair Advantage by Mark Donahue is fascinating stuff for geeks like us

 

The best book for the SERIOUS newbie is "Winning: A Race Drivers Handbook" it does not go into technical setup issues at all, but is the most PRACTICAL book on racing I have come upon. Its author is an experienced SCCA chief steward and deals directly with starting out in club racing. Whats interesting about this book is that it has guest commentaries from the authors of the OTHER great racing books, including Carroll Smith, which makes for a lively read as well as highlight the important points.

It covers EVERYTHING from how to choose a car, safety, accidents, how to REALLY drive faster (not just "slow in, fast out" they debunk that statement pretty well), race starts, how to prepare for a race (very important stuff not covered in most books, like even where to paddock), how to practice on the street with your street car (its NOT what you think! you'll have to read for yourself what they say) Theres even a short chapter on Autocrossing. The illustrations are better than average and go deeper into advanced driving techniques without getting technical. This book is a true club racers book with no fluff. The only downside is that it totally ignores FWD like every other race book, but they do address why.

I've read or skimmed all the other books everyone listed and more. I think this is the most important book for those of us who do track days and are starting out in racing.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...352399-9890222

oh yeah, and it even has a compilation of "Hot Laps" from SportsCar magazine which has notes of many popular tracks across the country, altho some of its dated.


[Modified by Tyson, 4:03 PM 7/1/2002]

 

Two of my faves:

http://www.soloracer.com/goingfaster.html

http://www.soloracer.com/solosecrets.html

 

The Secrets of Solo Racing - Henry Watts


Im in the process of reading it and it is a great book.


Mike D