Brian Redman: Daring drivers, deadly tracks

by Brian Redman, Jim Mullen, Mario Andretti (Foreword)

2016 ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB MOTORING BOOK OF THE YEAR

Brian Redman is one of very few notable British racing drivers whose racing life has yet to be put on record in book form. Now that is about to be rectified. Packed with photographs, Redman's memoir is a vivid account of his varied racing exploits, with special focus on the period when he won major sports car races in Ford GT40s, Porsche 908s and 917s, and Ferrari 312PBs, and also became North American Formula 5000 champion three years running. Highly readable, and at times both humorous and poignant, this is a very personal book that will be welcomed by this popular and highly respected driver's legions of fans. - Five themed chapters about Redman's experiences at the greatest circuits and races of his Spa-Francorchamps, the Nurburgring, the Targa Florio, Le Mans and Daytona. - Diving deep into Redman's fears, friendships and mindset during his time at the top. - Redman won at this daunting track in four consecutive appearances in 1,000Kms races for sports cars, but was also injured in the first of his three big crashes, in the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix. - The two big sports car wins with his greatest driving partners, Jo Siffert and Jacky Ickx. - The Targa in 1970 Redman won this heroic race over the uniquely punishing 45-mile circuit in Sicily - and suffered severe burns in another big crash the following year. - Le he led France's 24-hour classic five times but never won it. - the world's other great 24-hour race, in Florida, brought three wins - in 1970, 1976 and 1981. - Stories about driving for Porsche, Ferrari and colourful privateers, plus anecdotes about the era's most famous drivers, managers, heroes and rascals. - Successes in Formula 5000 (three-times champion in the USA) and 2-litre sports cars (South African champion) complete Redman's credentials as one of the finest all-rounders in motor racing. - Mario Andretti provides an insightful Redman and he were team-mates in Ferrari's sports car team (1972-73) and the top drivers in North American Formula 5000 (1974-75).

300 pages, Hardcover

Published May 15, 2016

Reviews

[Fred Klink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Redman is a survivor of the deadliest era of motor racing. Today he is one of the great gentlemen of vintage racing and has done much to preserve and present the cars and drivers of the "classic" era. This book is another contribution to that effort. The book is beautifully illustrated with many rarely-seen photos. Unlike most race driver biographies, Brian takes us to each of the major tracks and tells about his experiences there. For each track, he also provides a sidebar (actually, two full pages), entitled "A Lap of ----". At least that's how the first half of the book goes. But then he switches to a more traditional linear autobiography. The problem with that is that if he has already told the story of a major race say at Spa or Le Mans, it is left out of the linear narrative later in the book. So the reader (or at least this reader), finds himself flipping back to the earlier portion of the book and asking "Isn't this the same year that he drove with Siffert at the Nürburgring?". For that reason, I give the book four instead of five stars but I still recommend it very highly to vintage motor racing enthusiasts.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was better than anticipated. Gained good insights on some of the racing events and series that I had heard of but, was not all that familiar with. Truly a special and excellent perspective from a very competitive driver in an era where life expectancy was practically an afterthought.

[Damage98 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Redman's story is one of the most exciting and vivid recollections of a deadly era. Enjoyable and inspiring from a true legend. You will love reading this book.