Racing Cars: Masterpieces of Engineering

by John Tipler and Helen Wilson

The fast paced world of competitive auto racing from vintage models to American stock cars to the Le Mans endurance event are covered with full color photographs and cutaway illustrations to show the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0785812326
• ISBN13: 9780785812326
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Chartwell Books
• Length: 173 Pages
• Weight: 2.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 9.4" x 12.3"

Customer Reviews

A good introduction to motor sports racing

This book was written by a British writer, which gives it a nice European flair since motorsports has pretty much been influenced by European drivers and teams since the early races in the late 1800's.The book is broken down by motorsports segment, with each particular type of racing receiving a chapter dedicated to its history, famous teams, illustrations and photos of the cars, and top drivers and teams up to the 2000 season. This is very convenient for those who are looking for information on a particular class or sanctioning body. Each chapter is sufficiently long to address each type of racing, without being too burdensome. The author has really done his homework and gone to a good bit of trouble to include forms of racing which I'll probably never see, such as the Australian Touring Class races that feature cars unique to Australia, similar to the Toyotas, Hondas, Fords, BMWs, and pocket Mercedes cars sold here in the USA.The illustrations are particularly nice, a good blend of photographs from the races and artist sketches of cut-aways to show how a particlar car is set up underneath its skin. The photographs are full-color and printed on glossy paper, with a very nice presentation. The writing is fun to read, particularly when the author includes anecdotes from his own racing experiences. After reading his introduction to the book, I'm starting to look at my 1993 Honda Civic EX with a different view (If I tighten the suspension a bit, add a low-flow intake and exhaust system, install a racing seat, pop-rivet a sheet of aluminum across the back seat to keep the gas tank out of the cabin, this baby just might be race ready!)The book was written for the general population and doesn't get too bogged down with technical details, so it could easily appeal to anyone who's enjoyed watching a race on tv. After reading the book, you may just want to see a NASCAR, Grand Prix, or GT endurance race for yourself, and perhaps spring for a paddock pass!