The Technique of Motor Racing

by Piero Taruffi

In his prophetic foreword to "The Technique of Motor Racing," Fangio anticipates the importance Piero Taruffi's book would have for a generation of new drivers. Trained as both a racing driver and an industrial engineer, Taruffi provides a unique perspective on the art and science of motor racing. He drove for the work teams of Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, and others, in a career that spanned over 25 years and was crowned by his victory in the 1957 Mille Miglia. First published in 1959, "The Technique of Motor Racing" has become the standard by which other driving texts are measured.

Genres: Sports

125 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1988

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars because literally nothing has come close to replacing the relevance and accuracy of this textbook.

I use the word "textbook" specifically; Taruffi was a trained engineer in addition to being a master endurance racer, and his writing is utterly dispassionate in its examination of how to handle a car to find a best lap time and win a race. While in many cases the descriptions and photography are of a piece with the original 1959 publication, the logic and mathematics (the core of the book is page after page of charts and calculations) have not lost an iota of relevance, even in the carbon-fiber age. Taruffi was among the first to logically disprove the tire-sliding, wheel-sawing hero-driver style in favor of absolute control and late apexes. Time has repeatedly reproven his conclusions.

For what it's worth, the photography (featuring the glorious Goetterdammerung of the front-engine race cars and the infancy of the British mid-engine giant-killers) is gorgeous, too.

If you've started to understand that driving fast involves more than pressing the gas pedal, treat this as multiple generations of drivers have done; it is the authoritative word.

[Laszlo F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part history book, but part very insightful observations for any racing (or sim!) driver even in the 21st century. It may seem expensive, but definitely worth the price as it is one to be kept in close reach on the shelf for enthusiasts, Taruffi's book can help with explaining and understanding cornerning in details.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhat on the technical side, a how-to really yet filled with this Legendary Racer explaining his method on world-famous racetracks along with several black and white photos, there have been several subsequent printings of the book I have the 1960 version. I recommend it along with the book Works Driver about his life.

[Tom Landry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty interesting book. Since it was written in 1959 there are a lot of differences between racing then and now and there are a lot of things that are the same. It was neat to compare the differences. I did get lost in some of the formulas and graphs the author made to describe cornering forces and things like that. Over all it was a neat read and I believe most auto racing enthusiasts would like it.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply awesome