Strictly Off The Record
By Louis T. Stanley
Louis Stanley has taken a lifetime of privileged access in motor sports and brought it to the readers’ eyes, both with words and in pictures. He spent 20 years as chairman of the BRM Motor Racing Team, bringing them from conception to the constructors World Championship in 1962. As director general of the International Grand Prix Medical Service, he was instrumental in bringing about safer racing conditions and proper emergency response support teams into Grand Prix racing.
Stanley’s text is superb. This book is filled with his feelings and concerns regarding the many aspects of auto racing – the drivers and key people that made it all work, as well as the places, great races and the sadness of the women whose men lost their lives racing. Stanley’s “tell it as it is” attitude is prevalent throughout the book. From his years of involvement in motor racing, he has a wealth of knowledge and has formed opinions on many subjects – opinions that he is not afraid to share with the reader.
The book is also filled with great, never-before-seen photos taken from Stanley’s private collection. Given his ability to be where even the professional photographer could not go, Stanley has taken many candid shots which give the reader a behind-the-scenes look into the life of motor racing in the ’50s and ’60s.
Stanley has also included controversial insights and amusing anecdotes, not only about the drivers, designers and mechanics, but also about the rich and famous who graced the vibrant social scene surrounding the sport.
This book is well worth owning and a nice addition to any collection. Available through Classic Motorbooks at $34.95.
