Description
Book Synopsis The first quarter of the 20th century was a time of dramatic change in auto racing, marked by the move from the horseless carriage to the supercharged Grand Prix racer, from the gentleman driver to the well-publicized professional, and from the dusty road course to the autodrome. This history of the evolution of European and American auto racing from 1900 to 1925 examines transatlantic influences, early dirt track racing, and the birth of the twin-cam engine and the straight-eight. It also explores the origins of the Bennett and Vanderbilt races, the early career of America''s Speed King Barney Oldfield, the rise of the speedway specials from Marmon, Mercer, Stutz and Duesenberg, and developments from Peugeot, Delage, Ballot, Fiat, and Bugatti. This informative work provides welcome insight into a defining period in motorsports.
Trade ReviewPromises the reader the ride of a life-time.... This is a fascinating book and well worth the time to explore, as the reader will get a solid historical foundation in 'veteran to vintage' era American and European auto racing." —
SAH Journal"Meticulously incorporates media reports from and histories of the era...recommended." —
Choice"This informative work provides welcome insight into a defining period in motorsports." —
Antique Automobile"Dick provides a fresh perspective on the leading racers. Dick has unearthed a wealth of historic photos." —
Classic & Sports Car"Provides a lot of the answers from a technical viewpoint a lot of other books fail to answer concerning the early advances of engines...wonderful anecdotes of drivers, and sometimes the races and companies, which have never been reported before...extremely well researched." —
Auto Racing History"Vivid text...many fascinating photos and action shots not seen before...not just informative but also entertaining and packed with incidents.... Anybody who wants to learn about this era (the early years of automobile racing) should get this important book." —
Autosport.com"Superb history...highly recommended." —
Octane"Excellent." —
SpeedReaders"Recommended." —
Reference & Research Book NewsTable of Contents
- Preface 1
- 1. Bennett 3
- 2. Vanderbilt 14
- 3. Hippodrome Sprints 31
- 4. Auto Import 41
- 5. French Scenery 55
- 6. Specials 69
- 7. Mercer 82
- 8. Stutz 97
- 9. Mason-Duesenberg 109
- 10. Camshaft Handlers 121
- 11. Indy Expedition 138
- 12. Peugeot Career 149
- 13. Aero-Engines 161
- 14. New Wave Racers 174
- 15. Sheepshead Bay 186
- 16. Farewell Performance 196
- 17. Fiat School 215
- 18. Bugatti's Way Up 232
- 19. New Generation 251
- Appendix A: Biographical Data 269
- Appendix B: Technical Data 274
- Appendix C: Riding Mechanics 277
- Notes 283
- Bibliography 295
- Index 297
