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Motor #1
Saturday Night Dirt
It’s a sizzling summer Saturday, and Headwaters Speedway has suddenly become the place to be. Thanks to rainouts across the state, this small-town dirt track is drawing both big-time stock cars and local drivers. There’s Trace Bonham, whose Street Stock Chevy is acting up in a big way. And Beau Kim, whose “stone soup” Modified has been patched together from whatever parts he could scrape up. And no one could forget Amber Jenkins, a strawberry blonde who has what it takes to run rings around them all. Keeping everyone on track is Melody Walters, who knows that the impending rain might be exactly what they need to keep her father’s speedway afloat—or sink it for good. In Will Weaver’s high-revving novel, the first in the Motor series, a cast of car-obsessed teens and adults are all out to prove themselves, both on and off the quarter-mile track, as they move through their day on a collision course to meet on Saturday night dirt. Saturday Night Dirt is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2008
33 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Will Weaver
46 books101 followersI grew up in the Midwest, and had no idea I'd become a writer one day. However I gradually felt a need to tell my own stories. To explain, in writing, how I saw the world.
Today I'm a full time writer with 13 novels, many short stories, and two movie adaptations. I enjoy visiting schools and libraries, and sharing what I've learned about writing.
My newest novel POWER & LIGHT (Sept 2023) is now out. The first of a two book adult saga, it follows the arc of a Norwegian emigrant family to the Midwest–their hardships and ultimate triumph.
Today I'm a full time writer with 13 novels, many short stories, and two movie adaptations. I enjoy visiting schools and libraries, and sharing what I've learned about writing.
My newest novel POWER & LIGHT (Sept 2023) is now out. The first of a two book adult saga, it follows the arc of a Norwegian emigrant family to the Midwest–their hardships and ultimate triumph.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 15, 2014
This book takes place in Minnesota. Melody Walters, the track manager, helps her dad run Headwaters Speedway which doesn’t have much money. Melody is a really great person and will do anything to help her father. At Headwaters Speedway they race sprint cars and super stock cars. Melody is trying to get some big named drivers to come and race at the raceway to try and bring a big amount of money so the speedway doesn’t go out of business. There is one catch though; there is a thunderstorm coming on the race day which could cancel the races. There is Trace Bonham, Beau Kim and Amber Jenkins are all young racers looking to make an impact in the circuit. These young drivers bring big crowds to any track that they go to.
This book is short and a very fast read. It is the perfect length and not too long. The book just keeps you wanting to read and never put the book down. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes racing or who likes fast pace books. I rate this book a 5.
This book is short and a very fast read. It is the perfect length and not too long. The book just keeps you wanting to read and never put the book down. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes racing or who likes fast pace books. I rate this book a 5.
December 13, 2019
"Saturday Night Dirt," is a good book to show what happens at race tracks. This book is a great book for people that likes that like to race. I picked this book because I saw it was about racing. It turns out that the book was very good. I am hooked on the series now. This book is not for kids there is some language in the book not for kids.
October 22, 2010
This book is really getting interesting book. I really like the way they described the cars and the drivers and what they are doing to the cars to get it ready for racing. They almost didnt finish the night because of the weather but I liked the part where trace won his feature event. The said part was Beau crashed in his feature event and everybody thought he died. At the end it started to rain and everybody piled in cal hopkins trailer and cal told a story when him and johnny raced sprint cars and that it was his fault that johnny crashed. My favorite part was when cal told trace to tryout for team blu. I loved this book and I think it can be made into a movie. I choosed this book because I could relate to what it was telling and my uncle races sprint cars on dirt tracks and we sometimes go to Minisota to race at the elco track they have. Its genre is Ficton. Trace races street stocks at Headwaters and there was alot of out of town higher classed guys and he was excited because he won his feature against them. The problem in the story is they were trying to water the track and the water truck died and trying to get the night done before it rains. The problem was solved by pulling the water truck with a tow truck and making the classes go with a bunch of drivers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2009
Hm. An average book in my estimation. This is my second Will Weaver book and I'm not blown away by it.
PROS: It short, the length is not intimidating. It's very easy to read. There is no language, violence, or sex - nothing to send parents into a fit. There are both male and female protagonists. It's a local, relateable setting and a relateable plot (I think - to me at least).
CONS: It lacks some of the depth in other books. The revolving cast of characters means you get to know each one less - some I didn't even know why they were included. While it would attract some reluctant boy readers, it would probably NOT attract more people.
I think Will Weaver is a great, fabulous person who really cares about kids and reading. His books just aren't amazing to me. They're good.
PROS: It short, the length is not intimidating. It's very easy to read. There is no language, violence, or sex - nothing to send parents into a fit. There are both male and female protagonists. It's a local, relateable setting and a relateable plot (I think - to me at least).
CONS: It lacks some of the depth in other books. The revolving cast of characters means you get to know each one less - some I didn't even know why they were included. While it would attract some reluctant boy readers, it would probably NOT attract more people.
I think Will Weaver is a great, fabulous person who really cares about kids and reading. His books just aren't amazing to me. They're good.
February 4, 2016
I am not a car person, least of all car racing, but I enjoyed this book quite a bit (skimmed over the car talk). The book follows several characters over the course of a Saturday as they prepare for the weekly races at a local track. Some characters are more memorable than others such as Melody, the business-like track manager and Maurice the by-the-book flag man. Car racing is the big entertainment in this small town and the author describes the culture, track action and the people involved in a way that will absorb young readers.
September 19, 2017
This book was a great book. The plot is based around a local dirt track. Trace Bonham was a race car driver in the street stock class. Mel Waters was the track manager at Headwaters Speedway, with rain outs across the state this made for a great night of racing down at Headwaters. Beau and his little mod four was in for one of the craziest nights of racing of his life. The last thing he would expect was his enemy Amber Jenkins protecting him. Amber Jenkins was another mod four driver With fiery red hair and a wicked fast car with her crew of brothers they were almost unbeatable. The question was, Would the big names take the wins, or could the local drivers hold on to make a shocking upset?
I liked this book because of the details, I've been around racing my whole life and this book I could relate to super easily. The way Weaver crafts the characters is extraordinary, he makes the characters and there problems super easy to understand. I like the way how he makes you feel like ur right there as things are happening right in front of you, it is very Intriguing.
Weaver's writing pulls you in a makes you want to read more. The way he crafts his writing around the traditional American teens. Another thing I like about this book is view point in which he writes, he writes in a third person view point of view, yet he doesn't write from just one person the stories view he sets certain chapters for certain characters views. I also like how he displays the setting of the book. Headwaters Speedway is such a great setting for the story because it really connects the setting with the characters, and draws you in. This book is 10/10 it is so amazing
I liked this book because of the details, I've been around racing my whole life and this book I could relate to super easily. The way Weaver crafts the characters is extraordinary, he makes the characters and there problems super easy to understand. I like the way how he makes you feel like ur right there as things are happening right in front of you, it is very Intriguing.
Weaver's writing pulls you in a makes you want to read more. The way he crafts his writing around the traditional American teens. Another thing I like about this book is view point in which he writes, he writes in a third person view point of view, yet he doesn't write from just one person the stories view he sets certain chapters for certain characters views. I also like how he displays the setting of the book. Headwaters Speedway is such a great setting for the story because it really connects the setting with the characters, and draws you in. This book is 10/10 it is so amazing
March 20, 2018
This book was a great choice for me because the main topic of the book is about cars. The characters in the book were pretty understandable and the were very connected with each other. The only bad thing in my opinion about the book is the chapter format, with every chapter being a character name. Another thing that was good about the book is how they used relatable vocabulary involving cars. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in cars and some good drama to go with it.
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December 5, 2019it was a good book
November 11, 2025
love this book only car book in my school library for a while such a wonderful book I would love to read it again for the first time.
June 22, 2008
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
It's not NASCAR or the Indy 500. It is small town, dirt track racing. There's dust in the air, and colorful characters racing their cars around the track. There's plenty of competition, an intense desire to win, and enough mystery and intrigue to keep even non-racing fans on the edge of their seats.
SATURDAY NIGHT DIRT is set at Headwaters Speedway in Minnesota. Mel Walters and her father, Johnny Walters, are struggling to keep their little race track in business. Johnny, once a driver himself, is now confined to a wheelchair after a tragic accident years ago. Mel's mother needed only a few short weeks to determine she couldn't stay married to a man in a wheelchair, so Mel and her dad have been on their own for quite some time.
Still in high school, Mel acts as track manager, and she is probably the sole reason for the track's continued success. The story begins and ends on one Saturday. Because of Mel's drive and determination, it's a Saturday that makes history for the track and just might breathe some new life into it.
Other members of the cast of characters include several young racers like Trace, Amber, and Beau hoping to make their mark in racing. There's Patrick, who handles parking and sings the national anthem before the night's racing begins. Maurice is a retired navy man who handles the signal flags like a pro. There are also the down-and-out racers like Sonny from the local reservation who lack the funds to really be taken seriously by the other competitors. Even the ever present threat of bad weather becomes a player in the non-stop action at the track. Each plays a part in the Saturday night excitement and helps make the story a real page-turner.
SATURDAY NIGHT DIRT is billed on the cover as "A Motor Novel." Hopefully, that means it is the first of many more. Weaver's book is especially excellent for reluctant guy readers, even if they don't have a special interest in the sport of dirt track racing.
It's not NASCAR or the Indy 500. It is small town, dirt track racing. There's dust in the air, and colorful characters racing their cars around the track. There's plenty of competition, an intense desire to win, and enough mystery and intrigue to keep even non-racing fans on the edge of their seats.
SATURDAY NIGHT DIRT is set at Headwaters Speedway in Minnesota. Mel Walters and her father, Johnny Walters, are struggling to keep their little race track in business. Johnny, once a driver himself, is now confined to a wheelchair after a tragic accident years ago. Mel's mother needed only a few short weeks to determine she couldn't stay married to a man in a wheelchair, so Mel and her dad have been on their own for quite some time.
Still in high school, Mel acts as track manager, and she is probably the sole reason for the track's continued success. The story begins and ends on one Saturday. Because of Mel's drive and determination, it's a Saturday that makes history for the track and just might breathe some new life into it.
Other members of the cast of characters include several young racers like Trace, Amber, and Beau hoping to make their mark in racing. There's Patrick, who handles parking and sings the national anthem before the night's racing begins. Maurice is a retired navy man who handles the signal flags like a pro. There are also the down-and-out racers like Sonny from the local reservation who lack the funds to really be taken seriously by the other competitors. Even the ever present threat of bad weather becomes a player in the non-stop action at the track. Each plays a part in the Saturday night excitement and helps make the story a real page-turner.
SATURDAY NIGHT DIRT is billed on the cover as "A Motor Novel." Hopefully, that means it is the first of many more. Weaver's book is especially excellent for reluctant guy readers, even if they don't have a special interest in the sport of dirt track racing.
September 14, 2009
"Saturday Night Dirt" is by Minnesota author, Will Weaver. I like Will Weaver, and I liked this book. The book is told in turns by each of the central figures in the story. The novel takes place all on one summer day and night at a small dirt track named "Headwaters Speedway" located in Northern Minnesota. Johnny Waters, a paraplegic former race car driver, owns and runs the track with his teenage daughter, Mel. The track is failing and in danger of going under. But rain, on this particular day, sends many bigger name racers to the track on this particular night so that they can earn racing points. It is a turning point for all involved.
Weaver's writing is not the stuff of great literature. It is pretty straightforward. He does make somewhat of an awkward attempt at using symbolism (the weather and the osprey nest) and imagery. And the use of alternating points of view works well to help develop character.
However, I think the story is terrific. He does just what he needs to do to get at his intended audience - reluctant teen male (and female) readers. I recently read the article in VOYA that talked about his purpose in writing the book ("If You Give a Kid a Ride"). He is spot on in this respect. I have three teen nephews who are enamored of anything with an engine. They hate school, and they hate reading. They would love this book ( I will buy it for them)! It is a fast, easy read with a focus on plot and character. They would get the lingo and really relate to the setting and the characters. I admire what Weaver has done here. I book talked this book today, and it was gone in seconds. I had some disappointed boys because I only had one copy of the book. I immediately called Barnes and Nobel and ordered four more copies!
Weaver's writing is not the stuff of great literature. It is pretty straightforward. He does make somewhat of an awkward attempt at using symbolism (the weather and the osprey nest) and imagery. And the use of alternating points of view works well to help develop character.
However, I think the story is terrific. He does just what he needs to do to get at his intended audience - reluctant teen male (and female) readers. I recently read the article in VOYA that talked about his purpose in writing the book ("If You Give a Kid a Ride"). He is spot on in this respect. I have three teen nephews who are enamored of anything with an engine. They hate school, and they hate reading. They would love this book ( I will buy it for them)! It is a fast, easy read with a focus on plot and character. They would get the lingo and really relate to the setting and the characters. I admire what Weaver has done here. I book talked this book today, and it was gone in seconds. I had some disappointed boys because I only had one copy of the book. I immediately called Barnes and Nobel and ordered four more copies!
October 16, 2012
I loved this book it was fantastic! I couldn't put it down, it was so interesting. I think everyone should read this book because of how good it was! My favorite part was when trace got a full ride on being sponsered by a super stock race car driver, Cal Hopkins. My other favorite part was when they got all of the race car drivers came to headwaters race track to race and they got all the races done just in time before the storm hit. This book was a non-fiction book and the title fit it very well. When I first started to read this moto novel I wasnt very interested, but when I started to read this one I liked it better than the first one! This book is about a teenage driver and his friends making there dreams come true. Mel wants to help her dad at the race track and make it a bigger and better place and bring back sprint cars. Trace wants to make it to super stock car racing and make it big time some day. Then theres Patrick who just wants to make it alive when he works at the track for Mel. There is also Johnny Mel's dad who wants just wants Mel to achive her dreams and help her out the best he can. This book also made me think about following my dreams and never give up just like the characters in the book!
March 12, 2015
This book was all about racing, and race cars. This book is about Mel and her dads race track. Its not a very big town, and not many people race there. The city is even thinking about shutting the race track down! Mel is trying to do everything she can to keep it open. Its Saturday night and who knows if they are gonna even race. There is rain headed there way and most of the other speedways already got hit and had to cancel. Mel is getting calls from other racers from a couple of hours away and they are asking if they are still gonna race tonight. Mel says yes right away to everyone. The more people they get the more money is earned. The rain is on its way, they get hot laps going right away, then right to the feature. Everything goes good. Then right after the last feature it starts raining. It was perfect timing, the racing night was great, and successful.
Extra Information: 163 pages, non-fiction
Extra Information: 163 pages, non-fiction
September 25, 2010
Good for sports/reluctant readers.
"Northern Minnesota's Headwaters Speedway is running high on both octane and energy as it prepares to host big-time stock cars and local drivers for Saturday night's competition on its dirt track. Owner and former racer Johnny Walters is relying on this event to give his track a financial boost, and his daughter Melody, track manager, keeps things running smoothly in spite of the looming rainstorm that threatens to cancel the race. Accompanied by stories told by the drivers themselves -- from Trace to Beau Kim to Amber -- and racing jargon, "this first novel in a projected series holds lots of appeal for motorheads and race fans as well as reluctant readers" (KLT)."
"Northern Minnesota's Headwaters Speedway is running high on both octane and energy as it prepares to host big-time stock cars and local drivers for Saturday night's competition on its dirt track. Owner and former racer Johnny Walters is relying on this event to give his track a financial boost, and his daughter Melody, track manager, keeps things running smoothly in spite of the looming rainstorm that threatens to cancel the race. Accompanied by stories told by the drivers themselves -- from Trace to Beau Kim to Amber -- and racing jargon, "this first novel in a projected series holds lots of appeal for motorheads and race fans as well as reluctant readers" (KLT)."
February 26, 2013
I like this book because of how the was made with the reasonability of the different characters and how their role took place. One reason is Mel, Mel had to take care of the track while her dad was sick. She organized the races and made sure everybody was in to shape. While Trace was one of the best mod four cars he had a problem with the engine in his car.
My Favorite part of the book is when trace was driving and his car went out of control and tipped over. While this happened Amber was coming up fast and had to do something so she did not hit Trace. She did an amazing move by drifting around Trace so she did not hit him. To me I think this book can be for anyone that likes action and thrill. Because this book has a lot of excitement to it.
My Favorite part of the book is when trace was driving and his car went out of control and tipped over. While this happened Amber was coming up fast and had to do something so she did not hit Trace. She did an amazing move by drifting around Trace so she did not hit him. To me I think this book can be for anyone that likes action and thrill. Because this book has a lot of excitement to it.
June 6, 2014
This book was pretty cool because of the cars it mentions they use at the races. They have old muscle cars and i am a big fan of them. The book was pretty good but dry at times where i began to lose focus and then get back too thinking about the book. I didn't enjoy it too much except for the cars that is really what left me holding on threw the rest of the book. I thought there would be more action in racing but it really was not that much action but more of a drama. I was a little bit disappointed with how the book turned out because the cover looked pretty good but then again "don't trust a book by its cover." I would recommend it to people who like acing and drama and a quick read as well.
February 8, 2017
dirt-track racing, action on and off the track, YA
June 21, 2008
Will Weaver knows his dirt racing - I am thrilled to have read in the liner notes that his publishers sponsor the modified (type of race car) he owns. This is a hardcore racing novel for young racing fans. All the better if this young fan has a local dirt track she or he visits on occasion. I would have loved this as a kid - hell, I love the book now! Before I ever went to a NASCAR event, I had gone to numerous Friday night racing programs at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY. I couldn't believe something this awesome, this big, this loud was practically in my backyard! I hope this book finds some of those kids who are like I was.
March 23, 2009
Quick Read ~ Fiction
VOYA Book Review Codes ~ Quality 5A; Popularity 4P; Grade Level Interest M, J, S
Developmental Assets: 2, 4, 10, 14, 18, 26, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34
This was a fast paced book that takes place on a warm summer Saturday between noon and 8 p.m. at a small Minnesota dirt speedway. Each new chapter uses the name of a character in the book and revolves around this character. The book is subdivided into four sections - noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. The first three sections each end with a chapter entitled "Weather" because that plays such a huge role in whether the night's race will be held.
This was a fun book to read!
VOYA Book Review Codes ~ Quality 5A; Popularity 4P; Grade Level Interest M, J, S
Developmental Assets: 2, 4, 10, 14, 18, 26, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34
This was a fast paced book that takes place on a warm summer Saturday between noon and 8 p.m. at a small Minnesota dirt speedway. Each new chapter uses the name of a character in the book and revolves around this character. The book is subdivided into four sections - noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. The first three sections each end with a chapter entitled "Weather" because that plays such a huge role in whether the night's race will be held.
This was a fun book to read!
December 30, 2015
I read this on an airplane on the way to NerdCon: Stories so I could give it to the HP Alliance's Apparating Library. It was fairly fast paced and had quite interesting details about dirt track racing* but seemed a bit simplistic perhaps?
*note: this comeing from a girl who learned everything she knows about NASCAR, which is not dirt track racing, from ANSCAR Harlequins so... take my opinion with many grains of salt.
I definitely enjoyed how local it felt as it is set in Northern Minnesota and several Minnesota things are mentioned. There's also quite a diversity in age of the perspectives we read from.
*note: this comeing from a girl who learned everything she knows about NASCAR, which is not dirt track racing, from ANSCAR Harlequins so... take my opinion with many grains of salt.
I definitely enjoyed how local it felt as it is set in Northern Minnesota and several Minnesota things are mentioned. There's also quite a diversity in age of the perspectives we read from.
March 11, 2011
I read this because it was nominated for the Maud Hart Lovelace award this year. It's not a book I would have been likely to start otherwise, since dirt track auto is not really my thing. I was impressed by how Will Weaver drew me into the story and made the automotive and race related content accessible and enjoyable even to someone who knows very little about any of it. There were a lot of interesting characters including some strong female characters, and by then end, I was actually excited to see how each race would turn out. It was a quick, fun read - I even laughed out loud once or twice!
October 17, 2012
I liked this book and checkered flag cheater the same because they are realy good books and they are fun to read. These books are the coolest because I like racing alot, because my uncle races a superstock just like the main character Trace. I like the main character because i think he is lucky. I think he is lucky because he gets to take his high school class on line and just travel and race. Trace races someone elses car. He races for team blu racing. I would recomend this book to anybody that likes racing, motors, or cars. The next one that im going to read is called superstock rookie, and I cant wait.
June 27, 2009
I am not into auto racing at all. But if you'v read his baseball books you know that Will Weaver knows how to tell a good story and make his characters come alive. Here he introduces us to the denizers of a small town dirt track, from the owner's daughter to the guy who pushes wrecked cars off the track. The style of the introductions is a little awkward, but once the story gets going you begin to get involved with the different characters. There are a lot of loose ends that Weaver doesn't tie up--because the story continues in [book:Super Stock Rookie|6261402}.
March 20, 2011
It helps to know your way around a car for this story. I don’t, but I still thought it was very fun and fast and well-written. I was lost among the engine details a few times, but it didn’t hurt my understanding of the story. With concentration, I could even pretend to learn something.
It was more of a disappointment to see the various storylines tie together so conveniently toward the end. There’s a lot of feel-good here. Overall this book is a winner for all sorts of readers. For teens who like fast cars, this book is a rare find.
It was more of a disappointment to see the various storylines tie together so conveniently toward the end. There’s a lot of feel-good here. Overall this book is a winner for all sorts of readers. For teens who like fast cars, this book is a rare find.
July 29, 2011
Aw, this book made me miss Friday nights up at the I-94 Speedway like no other. :o( I loved how Weaver followed people from all different walks of the small town racing world so the reader could see what racing is REALLY like. My NASCAR fans (and car enthusiasts) are sure to love this story.-------------------------Since we use Weaver's totally awesome "Memory Boy" as part of our literature circles AND--bonus!--he's a Minnesota author, I'm looking forward to reading this novel. Plus, this is the first young adult novel I've ever seen that focuses on dirt track racing. Bring it!
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August 25, 2011I liked this book because there was suspense, action,and basically evrything exiting there anyone could put inside a book.One of my favorite parts in the book was when Trace finally catches Larry (the guy who worked for him) right in the midst of him trying to sabatoge Traces car and not make it run very well.
One of the other things that I liked about this book was the authors word choice. The best section of word choice came whenhe described the dry dirt come up "like a giant mushroom cloud"
Saturday night dirt was one of the better books that I have ever read!
One of the other things that I liked about this book was the authors word choice. The best section of word choice came whenhe described the dry dirt come up "like a giant mushroom cloud"
Saturday night dirt was one of the better books that I have ever read!
December 17, 2012
I loved this book right when I opened it up I thought will weaver does a fantastic job on writing books like this one. But I liked when trace got a full ride on being sponsored by a super stock race car driver. This book is about how good race car drivers there dreams come true. I also loved when was when they all of the race car drivers came to headwaters race track to race and they got all of the races done just in time before the storm hit I have to say that that was my favortite part. This book is fiction.
April 30, 2008
It's Saturday night in rural Minnesota and only one thing matters; who is racing and who is going to win. For the small time race track Headwaters Speedway, this Saturday is make or break, and Melody Waters is doing everything she can to make this night count.
Told from multiple POVs from people involved in the races in all sorts of ways, Sat. Night Dirt is an action packed peak into the exciting world of racing.
Told from multiple POVs from people involved in the races in all sorts of ways, Sat. Night Dirt is an action packed peak into the exciting world of racing.
August 31, 2011
summer reading continues - i have been avoiding the "boy/sports" books, but now i'm getting to the end. i really enjoyed this more than i thought i would. i could actually relate since i'm from south dakota, dated a gear head in the 70's and had an uncle who had a stock car. i've been to dirt tracks and the races and helped my boyfriend change out engines. i actually knew the terminology as well! don't know if new york/rochester city kids will relate but it is a quick interesting read.
December 16, 2009
Will Weaver brings the drama behind the Saturday Night dirt track racing to life. I was drawn into the lives of the characters and enjoyed the detailed description of the racing--detail that was good enough to help someone who doesn't follow racing understand what goes on during those high speed laps.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews