Motor Racing: The Pursuit of Victory 1930-1962

Reference works for complete beginners in motorsport have become all the more necessary as the number of clubs, organising bodies, categories and regulations has expanded, no one-time saloon racer and journalist Terry Grimwood's declared intention is "to cut through some of the confusion that exists and provide a usable guide to competing with everyday road cars". This he achieves with some success, listing the various disciplines and the various series open to those who cannot afford to own separate vehicles for commuting and racing, explaining the class structures and statutory safety requirements of each in turn, and listing useful addresses. Nowhere else is the novice's budget range of options so clearly catalogued. The final quarter of the book gives tips on refitting a road car and setting up its suspension for competition purposes, as well as on racing techniques. There is also an introduction to the work of racing schools. Illustrated throughout in black-and-white and assuming very little knowledge on the part of the reader, this laminated paperback fills what appears to be a gap on the library shelves at reasonable cost. Unfortunately, by accurately presenting all the facts about administrative bureaucracy and required modifications it risks deterring some of the would-be competitors it seeks to attract to grass roots motorsport.

The needs of a true competition engine are quite different than those of the engine under the hood of a typical commuter car. From the basic design needs, to the base component materials, to the sizes of the flow-related hardware, to the precision of the machining, to the capabilities of each pertinent system, very few similarities exist. Many books exist showcasing how to make street-based engines more powerful and/or durable. This book is different, in that it focuses purely on the needs of high rpm, high durability, high-powered racing engines. It begins by looking at the raw design needs, and then shares how these needs are met at the various phases of an engine's development, assembly, testing and tuning. This book features reviews of many popular modern tools, techniques, products, and testing/data collecting machinery. Showing the proper way to use such tools, how to accurately collect data, and how to use the data effectively when designing an engine, is critical information not readily available elsewhere. The special needs of a competition engine aren't commonly discussed, and the many secrets competition engine builders hold closely are openly shared on the pages here. Authored by veteran author John Baechtel, Competition Engine Building stands alone as a premier guide for enthusiasts and students of the racing engine. It also serves as a reference guide for experienced professionals anxious to learn the latest techniques or see how the newest tools are used. Baechtel is more than just an author, as he holds (or has held) several World Records at Bonneville. Additionally, his engines have won countless races in many disciplines, including road racing and drag racing.