Brian Redman – Daring Drivers, Deadly Tracks
By Brian Redman with Jim Mullen
It’s always good to see a new book hit the shelves reminiscing about the era those of a certain age regard as the “golden years” of motor racing. Well-informed authors write many of these books, but their narrative, although good reading is somewhat second hand with drivers, mechanics, team managers, et. al. telling them this or that and conclusions drawn on evidence gained. It was very refreshing to open the package containing Brian Redman’s debut offering. Although written with the help of Jim Mullen, this is a true first hand, seat of the pants memoir of a period in the sport that claimed many a life of a participant driver irrespective of ability. Following a foreword by Mario Andretti, Brian describes racer deaths of that period, 1965-1975, very eloquently—“It was if an unseen sniper haunted the tracks and picked off random victims without warning, unsparing of veterans and even legends.” In spite of this, this is not a tome of despair, but an honest recollection of the motor racing scene during a traumatic decade. As you delve through the pages littered with great photographs depicting incidents, venues, victories and personalities, the text is a roller-coaster ride of highs, lows and emotional periods told in that unmistakable Redman spirit and fashion—typical of his Lancastrian roots. An epilogue by Marion Redman and an afterword by Sam Posey round off this well-presented work.
The reader also shares laps of a number of famous tracks with the author as chauffer: the 8.7-mile Spa-Francorchamps in a Porsche 917K; the original Nürburgring with 170 corners in a Porsche 908; the Piccolo Madione/Targa Florio, again in the 908; Le Mans and Daytona aboard the 917K. Chapters of action are interwoven with those of his early years, the mind of a driver, family life and stories of the 1960s and 1970s—including the day he said “No” to Ferrari. So, let Brian Redman take you on a journey through what could be considered as the “dark years” of motor racing; passionately told with sentiment and compassion for those who perished and his unique wit, humor and frankness of events both on and off the track. This book is an outstanding read and once picked up will be hard to put down again—totally recommended.
Available for UK£50.00/US$79.95 direct from publisher Evro at www.evropublishing.com
