Racing Hell: The Hidden Truths of Motorsport

by Peter Cate

The veteran British endurance racing driver with the most Nürburgring 24 hour race starts at the fearsome 'Green Hell', Peter Cate has achieved success across more than thirty years of top-level competition.

RACING HELL is a candid, behind-the-scenes exposé for aspiring racers to better prepare for the realities of a career on the grid and for serious enthusiasts to understand what's really going on behind the pit garage door. From club racing to Formula 1, much about motorsport is misrepresented or misunderstood. This driver's eye view is grounded in authentic accounts of actual events in the often-controversial world of the paddock, providing contemporary insights which reveal the essential truths and hidden dangers of a life in motorsport, before reaching a uniquely immersive and thrilling conclusion.

'A fascinating read and a must for anyone with a passion for motorsport who wants to know more about life on track' Sir Chris Hoy, Six-Time Olympic Gold Medallist and Racing Driver

'Peter falls into a formidable group of no-nonsense, highly-focused racers. His insights are worth their weight in gold' Alex Brundle, Racing Driver

'Peter's motorsport life lessons and thoughtful rationale are delivered with a refreshingly frank and engaging honesty' John Hindhaugh, Sportscar Broadcaster

'Peter's fusion of memoir, history and seriously informed analysis cuts no corners and glosses over no cracks' Lauren Sneath, GPFans



A message from the

Racing Hell is a handbook of motor racing truths, packed with uncensored recollections of this veteran driver who managed to cross over from the oily rags and muddy fields of club racing to the spotless pit garages of professional motorsport.

I’ve drawn upon my detailed notes from more than 30 years behind the wheel with top-level teams, to share some of the very best and worst features of our sport as I have seen them. I’ll detail key aspects I wish I’d known before I started racing, exposing the realities of striving to compete with the best.

You’ll read about incredible things that happened to me or to people around me, the awesome cars I’ve raced (and the not so awesome!), the super-talented world-class team mates, the subtleties of car set-up and the breathtaking tracks that were the scenes of so many challenging contests.

But when the pit garage is opened, there are also dark things that live in there which need to be dragged into the light, including the psychological fears, the frustrations, the fools and fraudsters and even the outrageous skulduggery of saboteurs which can make racing hell, destabilising or even crashing a driver’s career at any level.

A book of this nature cannot be complete without acknowledging the importance of sponsor partnerships, the real fuel in any competitive race car and the source of most of the unfairness in our sport. I have proactively developed vital relationships that have sustained my driving career far longer than most. By revealing my path, I hope talented racers can also find and sustain support for the breaks they deserve.

After sponsorship issues brutally cut short my own British Touring Car Championship career, I discovered a different kind of racing for more than two decades, the Green Hell has reinvigorated my racing ambitions, offering everything I initially imagined motorsport would, including much I had lost along the way. Truly authentic, unadulterated motorsport.

274 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2023

Reviews

[Diogo Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Racing Hell, as a huge motorsport fan including the N24 race. It provides very interesting background stories about the world of motorsport, written in the first person. In particular, the author's challenges in the BTCC and the subsequent transition to endurance racing is a very good story on reinventing a career.
I think however the book could be more ambitious - it currently appeals only to a niche of extremely hard-core motor racing fans, who know Peter's background and achievements.
I am not sure, for example, how much an aspiring racing driver gets out of the book, it could have more of an educational and advisory tone for those who want to get into the racing ladder.
As a racing fan, I didn't learn many new things either - a lot of the book reads like a bio or explains not-too-complicated concepts that most of the audience will already know.
Hesitated between three and four stars, ended up with three which may seem harsh, but at the end of the book the reader is left with the question - where are the "hidden truths of motorsport" the title talks about?

[Richard Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely brilliant read! I thoroughly enjoyed the insights, anecdotes and experiences written in an absorbing and personable way. Perfect for any petrolhead, or anyone that wants to know more about motorsport racing and culture. Highly recommended.

[Maxy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great first-hand insight into the highs and lows of life as a racing driver! The author's sometimes brutal take on motorsport not only shares many secrets of his success but also his shocking encounters with the dark-side of the sport. It's gripping and a must read for any motorsport enthusiast who wants to understand what really goes on in a sport that has had it's fair share of controversy over the years.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love driving and motorsport, but I’m not at all technical, so I wasn’t sure if this book would be for me. But Peter makes everything so accessible without dumbing it down - I feel I really learned a lot about how to drive effectively. The backstory and early days of his career with its trials and tribulations were fascinating too. I thoroughly recommend this, it’s an incisive, informative and very readable guide into behind-the-scenes motor racing.

[Terry Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent insight into the inner workings of a professional racing driver and the teams they race for. A lovely tribute to the green hell. A track guide corner by corner that has me visualising as I read through it feeling like I was almost behind the wheel.

[2023Beth C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Gives brilliant advice for all new drivers (both young and old) entering the ruthless world of motorsport!

[Molly Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a roller-coaster read! Watching motorsport will never be the same again.

[Seb D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I’d read this ages ago. Explains a lot! I’ve never seen such an honest take on motor racing.

[Peter Cate]

I wrote RACING HELL for the many aspiring racers and serious enthusiasts who need to know what really goes on behind the scenes of professional motorsport. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!