Flat Out Flat Broke: The Original Stig

by Perry McCarthy, Damon Hill (Foreword)

Perry McCarthy is an ex Formula One racing driver and was the original ‘Stig’ from the BBC Top Gear TV show. Flat Out Flat broke is his hilarious and internationally acclaimed autobiography which takes you on Perry’s roller-coaster adventure as he battled on and off the race tracks of the world to fulfil his dream of Grand Prix stardom. One of the best selling motor racing books of all time, Perry’s story will have you on the edge of your seat either on the verge of tears or howling with laughter at both his bizarre misfortune and his triumphs against the odds. Don't miss it, it's the life story of a battler, a maestro in so many disciplines. But overall Perry McCarthy knows how to recover from failure and create success. From working on oil rigs to fame as The Stig, Flat Out Flat Broke is an utterly fascinating read and you will see why even other racing drivers affectionately call him ‘Mad Dog’! Perry McCarthy’s hilarious autobiography Flat Out, Flat Broke, has already become a motor racing best seller and has received rave SAMPLE OF MAGAZINE/NEWSPAPER ‘ ... this book is hilarious’ Autosport ‘Perry McCarthy does for Formula One what Bill Bryson did for travel writing. But beneath the black humour and wisecracks – funny enough to make you laugh out loud in public – lies an inspiring and at times poignant tale of that rarest kind of one who never gave up and was, literally, prepared to die trying.’ The Independent on Sunday ‘Perry McCarthy has always been excellent at describing his career in a series of memorable anecdotes, and here they are, strung together in book form. The reader is frequently left racked with sympathy at the author’s outrageous misfortune, or in convulsive sobs of laughter. This is an utterly fantastic read.’ MotorSport magazine ‘Sometimes books, like cigarette packets, should come with a surgeons health warning. Flat Out Flat Broke is a case in point, not just because it contains photographs of the author in the long forgotten days of his early childhood, but because it will make your stomach ache from laughing.’ F1 Magazine '…. A fantastic funny story' (Book of the week) The London Evening Standard ‘His engaging story of a less-than-smooth life in motor racing exudes his own cockney energy and enthusiasm and is a charming feel good tale that shows you can get what you want if you want it badly enough’ Scottish Sunday Express ‘The James Hunt impressions, the Ayrton Senna pizza delivery, the Rat Pack stories - the laughs come thick and fast in Perry McCarthy’s fantastic new book, Flat Out Flat Broke …’ Daily Express ‘The third edition of Perry McCarthy’s autobiography is a brilliant read’ Auto Express SAMPLE OF AMAZON CUSTOMER 'Fantastic' Mr. J. W. Wood (Grimsby, UK) 'Brilliant!' By True Reader' "Brock" (London, England) 'Fantastic very funny!' By S.

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2015

Reviews

[Simon Duringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flat Out Flat Broke: The Original Stig

I can't speak highly enough of this autobiographical account of Perry McCarthy's experiences whilst passing through the ranks of his Motor racing career, until he finally became Top Gears Original masked driver known as The Stig. But this kindle book is so much more as it charts his mis-fortunes, and they made me cringe, as well as his good fortunes and they made me laugh my head off! His humor within this book surpasses that of many a comedian's autobiography that I have read in the past. But most of all, the trials and tribulations, the circles and hoops he had to jump through on his way to the top level of motor racing and a seat in Formula 1 is an incredible story in itself.

I understand the paperback is in the Top 20 bestsellers of all time in the motor sports genre. Frankly I am not surprised, I have both paperback and Kindle eBook in my collection. There are a few new pictures in the kindle edition and a most incredible cover!! Well done for that indeed...

For readers who are not necessarily motor sports fans, don't shy away from this book as it is highly inspirational. It's a pick me up style of book and there are many lessons for us all to learn from Perry's experiences. Many of us would have fallen at the first hurdle given some of the problems he faced, but Perry never seemed to entertain or recognise the words 'no' or 'failure'. So, for anybody with an ounce of ambition about them and/or who may be lost or troubled or simply want a rollercoaster of a tale, which is all based upon fact, pick yourself up a copy and I guarantee your problems will pale into insignificance and your outlook on the future will change. I don't think he meant to be or even realised what an inspiration he has been to millions of Stig fans and for me that's what makes this book so special. As the old adage goes; you don't plan to fail, you fail to plan! Perry McCarthy I salute you, for what you achieved, what you had to endure to make those achievements happen and finally, for retaining such an incredible sense of humor throughout! GREAT READ!

[Lloyd Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and Hilarious

This was a highly entertaining read. A remarkable and inspiring account from someone who clearly had so much inherent determination (alongside obvious talent), he became one of the few that made it to F1 without sponsorship or even a penny to his name.
I actually read Perry's book because I'd heard about his infamous experience with the Andrea-Moda team, and his part in the original 'Rat Pack' (consisting of Himself, Mark Blundell, Julian Bailey, Damon Hill, Martin Donnelly and Johnny Herbert).
It's super funny to the point I found myself laughing out loud!
Very interesting to read about how he became the original Stig.
Thank you for taking the time to write this, Perry.
Highly recommended!

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

McCarthy can tell a good story and knows how to layer on the classic British self-deprecating humor, but I found it hard to follow all the different race series he was in and why they mattered. He could have used an editor to help him report on fewer races. He also shares some of the questionable humor of his former Top Gear colleagues so not all jokes land.

If you are up to listen to story fitting of a pub on a rainy day, then I can recommend this, and he writes like he talks so would recommend the audio book.

[Wojciech Andreas Jurczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read. Didn't learn much about racing, though.

[Dilys Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every page of this. I could hear Perry's voice telling his story. Laughter and tears in many places. Thank you Perry for rekindling my love of F1

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to like reading books about people that keep having to push up hill. Easy and enjoyable reading if you like car racing and a story of someone who just kept after his goal against all odds.