Description
This is a story of excitement, laughs, astonishment and anger - a story of the determination of a man with a dream and a passion for motor racing in the big leagues. It is the first time that the history of the always under-financed Gordini racing team has been documented in English, and the first complete story of Gordini himself in any language. This volume will appeal to new enthusiasts and old hands of Formula 1 and sports prototypes, especially those who have owned a Gordini engined-car. It charts Gordini's early life and beginnings in motorsport, up to 1969 when Renault took over the Gordini company, keeping his name on all the racing engines until 1986, before finally resurrecting it for a performance version of the Renault Twingo and Clio in 2009. The book is packed with evocative period images from important collections, supplementary transcripts in English from many contemporary interviews, plus recollections from former employees remembering their time working with Gordini, and an exhaustive set of statistics. All the way it's a roller coaster of joy, despair, humour, and stunning images. The racing legend of 'Le Sorcier' lives on.
About the Author
Roy Smith is a retired company director with a life-long passion for motorsport. He began writing in the 1960s for club magazines, mainly interviews with the notables of the time, and a 40-year career in sales and marketing developed the attention to detail necessary for the preparation of his books. His first title concerned the development of the first turbocharged Formula 1 cars, and his two subsequent books covered the complete racing history of the Alpine and Renault Sports Prototypes. Roy likes to provide a good read to newcomers and hardened enthusiasts alike. Since 1989 he has written for various historic motoring magazines in France, the UK, and the US.
Reviews
'At last, an English account of this fascinating French turner and constructor - As well as design development, the extensive race history is recorded, plus fascinating human stories [and] a superb selection of historic photos, circuit maps and cutaway drawings - Book of the month.' Classic & Sports Car, May 2013. 'The wealth of information here is staggering, and the race-by-race summary is particularly welcome.' Octane, May 2013. 'Utterly absorbing.' Classic Cars, May 2013. 'Gordini's endless enthusiasm and prolific output make for an involving tale.' Motor Sport, May 2013. Deliciously told, in 288 hardcover pages fabulously illustrated with more than 400 historic photos and technical drawings, this is the definitive Gordini story ... This is a terrific work that will thrill any automotive Francophile. Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car A story that ought to appeal to anyone with an interest in the David and Goliath aspect so common to the human condition and not just to aficionados of GP racing or quirky French road cars. Add to that the fact that this is the first time the Gordini story has been recorded in English and the only time it has been brought up to date and you have a book you can't very well do without ... The writing in this ... book is supremely fluid, fleshed out, and utterly engaging. Also, and important in its own way, this book for once evidences complete command of the conventions of proper punctuation that UK writers have for years made a sport of ignoring! ... there's simply nothing not to like in this book! The Flying Lady. Recommended. - Alpine Revue.
Book Information
ISBN 9781845843175
Author Roy P. Smith
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Veloce
Publisher David & Charles
About the Author
Roy Smith is a retired company director with a life-long passion for motorsport. He began writing in the 1960s for club magazines, mainly interviews with the notables of the time, and a 40-year career in sales and marketing developed the attention to detail necessary for the preparation of his books. His first title concerned the development of the first turbocharged Formula 1 cars, and his two subsequent books covered the complete racing history of the Alpine and Renault Sports Prototypes. Roy likes to provide a good read to newcomers and hardened enthusiasts alike. Since 1989 he has written for various historic motoring magazines in France, the UK, and the US.
Reviews
'At last, an English account of this fascinating French turner and constructor - As well as design development, the extensive race history is recorded, plus fascinating human stories [and] a superb selection of historic photos, circuit maps and cutaway drawings - Book of the month.' Classic & Sports Car, May 2013. 'The wealth of information here is staggering, and the race-by-race summary is particularly welcome.' Octane, May 2013. 'Utterly absorbing.' Classic Cars, May 2013. 'Gordini's endless enthusiasm and prolific output make for an involving tale.' Motor Sport, May 2013. Deliciously told, in 288 hardcover pages fabulously illustrated with more than 400 historic photos and technical drawings, this is the definitive Gordini story ... This is a terrific work that will thrill any automotive Francophile. Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car A story that ought to appeal to anyone with an interest in the David and Goliath aspect so common to the human condition and not just to aficionados of GP racing or quirky French road cars. Add to that the fact that this is the first time the Gordini story has been recorded in English and the only time it has been brought up to date and you have a book you can't very well do without ... The writing in this ... book is supremely fluid, fleshed out, and utterly engaging. Also, and important in its own way, this book for once evidences complete command of the conventions of proper punctuation that UK writers have for years made a sport of ignoring! ... there's simply nothing not to like in this book! The Flying Lady. Recommended. - Alpine Revue.
Book Information
ISBN 9781845843175
Author Roy P. Smith
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Veloce
Publisher David & Charles
