The Racing Driver: The Theory and Practice of Fast Driving

by Denis Jenkinson

When The Racing Driver was first published in the U.S. in 1959, Road & Track magazine hailed it as an "excellent book . . . the best ever written on contemporary drivers and their racing styles and habits." Over 45 years later, Denis Jenkinson's book has become a classic, highly valued for its historical perspective and views into the personalities of drivers who today seem larger than life.

227 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

Reviews

[Thomas Petri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so excited about this book. Granted, it was written in a different era so not very helpful to being competitive in the modern era. that being said, his writing style rather pedantic and frankly much of his "instruction" and illustrations, verbal and pictorial, can be hard to follow and put into practice. I would think this was true even at the time of publication. I have had this book in my library from the time it was published and had started in to read it several times before I let it sit on the shelf, until I could get back to it. So, I finally did get back to it and, being more patient now I worked through it. A task made easier, not being actively involved in racing, as I was then. And Jenks, as he was known as a popular motor sport writer and competitor, writes about himself, his rubbing elbows with the greats of the day, and how close he comes to their abilities (but always admitting that he never quit makes it), and clearly, he is writing with no expectation that his readers will ever come close to the great abilities of his heroes. Still the book received rave reviews and perhaps closer reading and allowing for a writing style of a different time and place (England), I might still learn to appreciate the wisdom of a man who, after all rode with Sir Stirling Moss in the Mille Miglia, an epic drive that helped make a legend of Moss. And I am sure got Jenks many a good stiff drink at the local.

[Jose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting small hardcover book with dustjacket I have ,the edition I have is 1964 by Bentley, first published in 1959, The Racing Driver Lettering is in Yellow on The book's cover, dust jacket.It has a posthumous note regarding Mike Hawthorn in one of the first pages,It has black and white pictures and some interesting information. It is more of observations by The Author and his own experiences. I did not like him putting down those who race in a straight line of which he does not consider racing. Nonetheless, a great time capsule of a read with greats like Hill, Fangio, Hawthorn among others although it should have more greats in there.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book started off great with stories but this book isn't about stories it's about fast driving. So I lost interest after a bit but the beginning had me hooked for a bit.