Best of
Racing

2016

Watching the Wheels: My Autobiography


Damon Hill - 2016
    For the first time ever he tells the story of his journey through the last golden era of the sport when he took on the greats including Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher and emerged victorious as World Champion in 1996, stepping out of the shadow of his legendary father Graham Hill. Away from the grid, Watching the Wheels: The Autobiography is an astonishingly candid account of what it was like to grow up as the son of one of the country's most famous racing drivers. It also tells the unflinching story of dealing with the grief and chaos that followed his father's tragically early death in an aircraft accident in 1975, when Damon was 15 years old. Formula One drivers have always been aware of their mortality, and the rush that comes with the danger of racing was as intoxicating for Hill as it had been for his father's generation, until he came face-to-face with catastrophe when his team-mate, Ayrton Senna, was killed in 1994. The swirling emotions that Hill was faced with in light of the death of Senna was a defining moment for his generation of drivers and for the first time ever Hill talks candidly about the impact that Senna had on his life, even as he watched his own son step into motor racing.Courageously honest, and hugely rewarding, Watching the Wheels is a return to the last golden era of F1 racing, whose image still burns ferociously for those who love the sport for what it reveals about human skill in the face or near certain death.

Jeff Gordon: His Dream, Drive & Destiny


Joe Garner - 2016
    “People are going to be able to read about me like they’ve never read about me before.” The first-ever authorized biography of Jeff Gordon, the four-time champion racing legend. For over a year, Garner interviewed and observed Gordon at races, special events, and at home. The book is based on extensive interviews with Gordon – as well as in-depth interviews with dozens of family members, friends, competitors, and colleagues, some of whom have never gone on the record before. Jeff speaks candidly, sometimes brutally so, about his childhood, his much publicized divorce, those he competed against, his family, and life after racing. This fully illustrated hardcover biography will allow privileged access to a wealth of exclusive unseen and rare material from Gordon’s personal photo and memorabilia collection. Gordon’s meteoric rise through racing’s ranks is a classic American success story. Readers will find inspiration in Gordon’s candid take on his pivotal life episodes. About the Author: Five-time New York Times bestselling author Joe Garner has become one of the premiere chroniclers of America’s popular culture. With his seminal work, WE INTERRUPT THIS BROADCAST, he took publishing by storm, selling nearly 700,000 copies and hit the New York Times bestseller list in two consecutive years. He has produced several other bestsellers. His most recent New York Times and USA Today bestseller is 100 YARDS OF GLORY, about the greatest moments in NFL history, with Bob Costas. Gordon and Garner first worked together in 2006 on the multimedia book titled SPEED, GUTS & GLORY, about landmark moments in NASCAR history. Gordon narrated the video chapters that accompanied the book. About the Foreword: Tom Cruise is an American actor and filmmaker. Cruise has been nominated for three Academy Awards and has won three Golden Globe Awards. He is also a huge NASCAR fan.

Earnhardt Nation: The Full-Throttle Saga of NASCAR's First Family


Jay Busbee - 2016
    Weekends he could be found going pedal to the metal at the dirt tracks, taking on the competition in the early days of box car racing and becoming one of the best short-track drivers in the state. His son, Dale Earnhardt Sr., would become one of the greatest drivers of all time, and his grandson Dale Jr, would become NASCAR’s most popular driver of the 2000s. From a simple backyard garage, the Earnhardts reached the highest echelons of professional stock car racing and became the stuff of myth for fans.Earnhardt Nation is the story of this car racing dynasty and the business that would make them rich and famous—and nearly tear them apart. Covering all the white-knuckle races, including the final lap at the Daytona 500 that claimed the life of the Intimidator, Earnhardt Nation goes deep into the fast-paced world of NASCAR, its royal family’s obsession with speed, and their struggle with celebrity. Jay Busbee takes us deep inside the lives of these men and women who shaped NASCAR. He delves into their personal and professional lives, from failed marriages to rivalries large and small to complex and competitive father-son relationships that have reverberated through generations, and explores the legacy the Earnhardts struggle to uphold.

Plants vs. Zombies #9: Petal to the Metal


Paul Tobin - 2016
    Zomboss unleashes a horde of mobile, fast-moving zombies on the innocent citizens of Neighborville! Riding inventive hot rods and crazy contraptions, both zombie and plant forces alike pull out all the creative stops in a series of contests to win control over the city! A competitive, race-filled finale as our Petal to the Metal story arc closes! The comedy jumps from each and every page, and the preposterous nature of the whole thing is just golden.Dread Central

Downshift


Winter Travers - 2016
    Now, the King of the Street Racing scene, he finally has everything he wants and he won’t let anyone take it away from him. Violet Barnes lived a sheltered life growing up, never fitting in except in the books that she loved. After losing her parents, she forges forward, creating her own little world, content in being alone. When Violet stumbles into Luke’s shop, sparks fly but neither can let go of the hard lessons they learned growing up. Will Violet give Luke a chance to prove he’s not just another gear head? Or will Luke write Violet off before they even have a chance to see that they both need to let go of their past, and focus on the future?

Fastlane Series Box Set: Surge, Thrust and Burn


Sloan Storm - 2016
    The bad boy of Formula One Racing.The ultimate playboy, there isn’t a hairpin turn he can’t handle or a woman he can’t have. Dyson lives life like he drives – hard, determined, and like it might be his last day.The first time I met him he was completely naked, and he couldn’t have cared less.The second time I saw Dyson, he just stood there, staring at me. His fire suit hung low on his waist, and his body was dripping in sweat, grease and… well, you get the idea.I’ve been thrust into his fast-paced world, and the more time I spend with him -- the more I see of the troubled man behind the roguish charm -- the more my resolve crumbles. Our chemistry is undeniable but isn’t without risk. Jealousy and threats to my home life mean I could lose everything I’ve worked so hard to protect.The stakes have never been higher.Will we make it, or are we destined to crash and burn?ThrustFrom the instant I met mysterious, hard-bodied Formula One driver Marco Rhys, he took charge - leading me on a red-lined, wild ride into his world.But I'd vowed to never give a man control of my life. Ever. It was my unbreakable rule, a principle I promised to never compromise - no matter what.So despite his rock hard abs, devilish good looks and charm to match, I felt sure I'd rise to the challenge. After all, I'd handled my fair share of billionaire playboys in my short career and never failed to deliver. I had too much at stake, and too much to lose if I failed.If I couldn't sign Marco to the investment firm I worked for, I could wave my dreams goodbye. Everyone who said I would never amount to anything would be right.But I didn’t count on the unstoppable force of Marco Rhys.Everything depended on our battle of wills. One of us would have to conquer the other – in the boardroom or the bedroom.Which one of us would surrender first?Why did I feel like it might be me?BurnChance Vix -- what kind of maniac rips down a straightaway at more than two hundred miles an hour on a motorcycle which, oh by the way, costs more than a mansion?What kind of brute crushes all challengers, decimates rivals and has owned the crown of one of the world's most deadly sports for years? What kind of stud leaves women everywhere desperate for his attention, willing to do almost anything to try and tame him?I'll tell you what kind. The most mouth-watering, heart-stopping, daredevil of a head-to-toe hunk I'd ever laid eyes on in my life - that's what kind.When an unplanned trip to an exotic locale, far removed from midwest gloom, brought Chance and me together, I had no idea how much my life would change.Could I hold on? Was I crazy to even try?

Indy 500 Memories: An Oral History of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing"


Art Garner - 2016
    Twenty different race winners representing more than 40 victories are among those sharing memories, including the greatest names in the sport: Foyt, Unser, Andretti, Rutherford, Cheever, Mears, Sullivan, Rahal, Montoya, Castroneves and Kanaan. Others include Gurney, Guthrie, Goodyear, Patrick, Power, Stewart, St. James and many more. The book is as much about dreams as it is memories, from A.J. Foyt listening to the 500 in his daddy’s garage as young boy, to Bev Patrick bursting into tears as her daughter, Danica, becomes the first woman to lead the 500. There is laughter and tears, triumph and tragedy, ranging from Evi Gurney hiding under a stack of sweaty driver uniforms in the back of a car so she can sneak into Gasoline Alley, to Indy’s darkest days in 1964 and 1973. The memories are full of surprises and unbridled honesty. “I felt like I was at the point of an arrow that was being hurled forward by a hurricane,” recalled Eddie Cheever. “It was so violent, to control it for 500 miles and finish a race, I thought would be a miracle.” Fans and family have always been an integral part of making the event “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and both are well represented in Indy 500 Memories. Whether the stories are about family traditions or secretly spreading a loved one’s ashes on the Speedway’s grounds, they are often as personal and interesting as those of the drivers. From the first memory by Mario Andretti, to the last one of Ryan Hunter-Reay, Indy 500 Memories is sure to invoke surprise, laughter, tears and awe and is a must read for any racing fan.

Speeding to Love (Hudson Friends Book 2)


Colby Taylor - 2016
    After crossing paths with Gia Gordon, a former trauma unit nurse, fireworks erupt. The woman is determined to keep him off the track, and he is determined not to allow that to happen. In an attempt to get close to her, and eventually taste the victory of conquering her, he struggles to figure out if he is actually ready for what being with a woman like her requires... A monogamous relationship. Gia, who is always relaxed and controlled in relationships, is trying to escape falling deeper, for the only man to make her react. Something about being around Roman, makes her behave in a manner that she is not accustomed to. What is it, and why does she care about this man so much? Will they both run from the emotions that are driving both to the break of insanity? If they give love a try, can they survive the wreck, that Roman's lifestyle, constantly brings to their already tumultuous relationship? Will they finally admit what they feel, and start SPEEDING TO LOVE????

Brian Redman: Daring drivers, deadly tracks


Brian Redman - 2016
    Now that is about to be rectified. Packed with photographs, Redman's memoir is a vivid account of his varied racing exploits, with special focus on the period when he won major sports car races in Ford GT40s, Porsche 908s and 917s, and Ferrari 312PBs, and also became North American Formula 5000 champion three years running. Highly readable, and at times both humorous and poignant, this is a very personal book that will be welcomed by this popular and highly respected driver's legions of fans.- Five themed chapters about Redman's experiences at the greatest circuits and races of his era: Spa-Francorchamps, the Nurburgring, the Targa Florio, Le Mans and Daytona.- Diving deep into Redman's fears, friendships and mindset during his time at the top.- Spa-Francorchamps: Redman won at this daunting track in four consecutive appearances in 1,000Kms races for sports cars, but was also injured in the first of his three big crashes, in the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix.- The Nurburgring: two big sports car wins with his greatest driving partners, Jo Siffert and Jacky Ickx.- The Targa Florio: in 1970 Redman won this heroic race over the uniquely punishing 45-mile circuit in Sicily - and suffered severe burns in another big crash the following year.- Le Mans: he led France's 24-hour classic five times but never won it.- Daytona: the world's other great 24-hour race, in Florida, brought three wins - in 1970, 1976 and 1981.- Stories about driving for Porsche, Ferrari and colourful privateers, plus anecdotes about the era's most famous drivers, managers, heroes and rascals.- Successes in Formula 5000 (three-times champion in the USA) and 2-litre sports cars (South African champion) complete Redman's credentials as one of the finest all-rounders in motor racing.- Mario Andretti provides an insightful foreword: Redman and he were team-mates in Ferrari's sports car team (1972-73) and the top drivers in North American Formula 5000 (1974-75).

Can-Am 50th Anniversary: Flat Out with North America's Greatest Race Series 1966-74


George Levy - 2016
    Or at least damn few rules. The bodywork had to enclose the wheels and there had to be something that loosely resembled a passenger seat--if your passenger was a badly misshapen human or perhaps a lab monkey. Otherwise, set your racing mind free. No limits to engine options or output, no restrictions on aerodynamic aids or body shape. It was as close to unrestricted road racing as racing had ever gotten or would ever get again. And it was fantastic. From its introduction in 1966 to the end of its classic period in 1974, North America's Can-Am series was the most exciting, technologically advanced, and star-studded racing series of the day. Its essentially rules-free formula attracted everyone from crazed backyard engineers to specialists like McLaren, Chaparral, Shadow, and Lola to manufacturers like Ford, Ferrari, Chevrolet, and Porsche. Top drivers including Mario Andretti, Jackie Stewart, Parnelli Jones, and Bruce McLaren competed on tracks across the US and Canada.Can-Am 50th Anniversary offers a heavily illustrated look back at what is arguably the greatest race series ever to grace the roadracing circuits of North America. Photographer Pete Biro was Goodyear Tire’s official photographer and followed the series throughout the entire run from 1966-'74. The vast majority of the book’s images are unpublished or long out of circulation. Biro brings his unique perspective and his close relationship with the drivers, team owners, and constructors to bear on the captions while former AutoWeek editor George Levy provides an exciting text reflecting the thrill of Can-Am racing.

Drift Heat


Adrian R. Hale - 2016
    I wanted to make a name for myself and I wasn't going to let anyone get in my way. So when I saw the opportunity of a lifetime, I jumped. Being the face of the hottest new racing team in the business was a dream come true.Until he showed up.Griffin McGregor. Bad boy star driver. On the track, he's gold. Off the track? He's everything my daddy ever warned me about. Infuriatingly egotistical, explosive temper, argumentative know-it-all...why does he have to be so freaking hot? It'll be a miracle if we can get this team to the championship title without killing each other. Or worse. Because the last thing I'm going to do is wreck my career by jumping in bed with a race car driver.

Lost Road Courses: Riverside, Ontario, Bridgehampton & More


Martin Rudow - 2016
    Some of the greatest drivers to ever compete raced wickedly fast machines, staged epic duels on winding strips of asphalt, and created history. This history left an enduring legacy that is revealed and celebrated in Lost Road Courses. Road racer and road racing expert Martin Rudow retraces road racing's glorious past and visits the defunct classic road courses across the United States and Canada. Many road courses were built in the 1950s and 1960s, the golden age of American road racing. These classic road courses built and hosted famous races for Trans-Am, Can-Am, IndyCar, Formula 1, and sports car racing, but did not survive the times. They fell victim to changing times, poor business decisions, urban sprawl, safety standards, and increasing real estate prices. Rudow recounts the breathtaking races and fascinating history of more than 16 tracks from around North America. Riverside International Raceway, Bridgehampton Race Circuit, Ontario Motor Speedway, Continental Divide Raceway, and many others were once major race venues that have since closed. The great race teams, legendary drivers, classic race series that visited the tracks, and cars that turned laps are brought into full focus. The exploits of Chaparral, McLaren, Bud Moore, Lotus, Penske, and other race teams as well as racing greats Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, Jim Hall, A. J. Foyt, Al Unser, Jim Clark, and Dan Gurney are covered. Rudow also digs beneath the surface to reveal the story behind the story. The visionaries and businessmen who saw potential and risked capital to build these palaces of speed come back to life. He also recognizes the unsung heroes and regional racers who competed, staffed, and took on various roles at these tracks.In the pages of this book, a nostalgic tour of these famous races at these vintage road circuits unfolds. Many period photos illustrate the racing action and the tracks themselves in their former glory, and modern color shows the tracks as they currently stand. If you're a fan of classic sports car, Can-Am, Trans-Am, IndyCar, Formula 1, as well as classic and unique tracks of yesteryear, this book is a must-have.

NASCAR's Greatest Race: The 1992 Hooters 500


Rick Houston - 2016
    On November 15, 1992, the entire NASCAR racing community tuned in to watch as six drivers strapped in for a chance to win the NASCAR Winston Cup. And what a race it was.Heading into Atlanta, Davey Allison, Bill Elliott, and Alan Kulwicki each had a real shot at winning the Championship. On the track, Allison was in and out of contention until trouble found him, which left Elliott and Kulwicki to race for the title in a nail-biting finale. And who could have imagined that a young Jeff Gordon would take the handoff from Richard Petty on this day. Author Rick Houston has gathered new interviews from Bill Elliott, Paul Andrews, Larry McReynolds, Ray Evernham, Rick Mast, Brett Bodine, Kyle Petty, and Tim Brewer. They all give fresh recollections and new information on the events leading up to and including the 1992 Hooters 500.With NASCAR's Greatest Race: The 1992 Hooters 500, readers can relive the closest championship contest in NASCAR history to that point. All while learning new details on how the entire season culminated into a single lap to determine the title!

Love in the Fast Lane


Melissa Kate - 2016
    A thriving career and sexy holiday fling have Nathan riding the high life. But the past haunts him and could ruin it all.After six long years, Brielle Woods has finally put the past behind her. Or so she thought, until she bumps into the hotshot who turned her world upside down and left her...to raise their son...alone.Can they overcome baggage from their past and give into the passion that still burns between them? Or will they lose the chance at true happiness and the family they both long for?

Le Mans 1923-29: The Official History Of The World's Greatest Motor Race


Quentin Spurring - 2016
    This title covers the seven 24 Hours races of the 1920s, plus, as a prologue, all the events held at the Le Mans circuit during the period 1906-23. Each running of the 24 Hours is exhaustively covered in vivid photographs, an insightful commentary providing more detailed information than has ever been published about the period, and full statistics. Compiled by an acknowledged authority of this legendary race, this series of books is treasured by all enthusiasts of sports car racing.- The 1920s saw a fascinating variety of machinery from 55 marques, three of which won: Bentley (1924 and 1927/28/29), Chenard-Walcker (1923) and Lorraine-Dietrich (1925/26).- Above all this was the era of Bentley and the famous ‘Bentley Boys'.- Highly detailed year-by-year treatment of the decade's seven races, giving unprecedented depth of information and photographic coverage for each year.- Official status provides a number of unique features, including the reproduction of photographs and full-colour race poster artwork from the ACO's archives.- The emphasis is on photographs that enthusiasts will not have seen before.- The story of each race is told through photographs and an accompanying commentary.- Complete data for each year includes technical regulations, entry list, circuit changes (with diagram), full results and category awards.- The whole work is beautifully designed and presented.