Touch wood,

by Duncan Hamilton, Lionel Scott

Duncan Hamilton won the classic Le Mans 24-Hours race in 1953, co-driving his workcentered C-Type Jaguar with Tony Rolt. In 1954 the same pair finished second, losing to a much larger-engined V12 Ferrari and by the narrowest margin in years. In all, Duncan Hamilton competed in nine of those great Le Mans endurance classics. Having cut his racing teeth in such pre-war cars as the R-Type M.G and the Bugatti Type 35B, Duncan graduated to one of the immortal Lago- Talbot Grand Prix cars—which he subsequently mislaid in a French coal-hole. After a hugely eventful racing career—only Duncan could get himself fired by Jaguar for winning the Rheims 12-Hours race in 1956—he eventually hung up his racing helmet in 1958. As Earl Howe wrote in the original 1960 foreword to this book, though the drivers of this age were fiercely competitive, there were also "friends to meet, stories to tell and almost certainly a party to be enjoyed…" Duncan Hamilton was certainly a little larger than life, and this book tells the story of a man who wasn’t just one of the most successful drivers of the 1950s, but also the man who trespassed at Brooklands, who spent the war in the Fleet Air Arm accidentally trying to drown American Admirals, and who was once stopped for speeding on the Cromwell Road, rushing to take part in a TV program on road safety. It is a must for any classic car enthusiast’s bookshelf.

Genres: Nonfiction

229 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1971

Reviews

[Nick Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rip-roaring tale of motor racing from back when men were men, driving on the edge at crazy speeds, and being killed was almost inevitable.
Living in Ireland, I was shocked I had never heard of Duncan Hamilton - he was Irish and a phenomenally successful racing driver with many wins, including the Le Mans 24-Hours race. 'Touch Wood' is a fascinating memoir filled with incredible scrapes and fantastic tales of daring-do, some so outrageous as to be almost unbelievable. But it's all true.
The races, close shaves and tragedies are told in such a casual conversational manner as to be both exhilarating and shocking at the same time. This book really brings home how brave - and perhaps foolhardy - racers were back before seat belts, fire suits, crash helmets and car safety cells were commonplace for race cars travelling at 200 mph.
'Touch Wood' is a great read, even if you are not a motor racing fan.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hamilton starts his "racing" career at age two by figuring out how to get the wheels of his pram moving while still in it. This results in him somersaulting down thirty eight steps to the garden below and knocking himself unconscious for several hours. Thus begins an adventurous life.

He survived WW2 after crashing planes and having at least two ships sunk from underneath him. During his racing career he was ejected from a number of cars suffering many injuries and concussions but still carried on.

To get over an all night drinking hangover he needed a double brandy just two hours before starting the 24 Hours of Le Mans (which he and his co-driver won). There are also a couple of other instances where he had mid race drinks of alcohol for various reasons. Not exactly an anti drinking and driving poster boy.

It was not all fun and games because it was an era of motor racing where drivers were killed on a regular basis. But somehow Hamilton survived it all and got to write an exciting and surprising book of racing in the 50's. If this is an era you are interested in I can't imagine a better book.

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography of an extraordinary character in the very difficult circumstances of the 2nd world war. An unusual hero...apparently accident prone and self deprecating Duncan survives being a pilot in the second world war and turns his hand to motor racing...winning le mans....a roaring tale of escapades and an inspiration.

[Mrs E Wetherall · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a bit of a bragging list of races, princes and one night stands. His wife dutifully hung around and of his daughter Caroline he says almost nothing. Says a lot about the era of rich blokes enjoying themselves. Racing was spectacular though with the spectators and hapless gendarmes sharing the danger. Makes F1 and it's drivers look not only dull but slow in comparison. 200mph in the 50s on pram wheels. Wow!

[Mark Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, thoroughly enjoyed this book

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable romp, told with great spirit, through 1950s sports car racing by a wealthy and talented privateer who enjoys the good life and a good prank. How do you keep going when so many of your friends are being killed year after year (and after so many very close misses)? Alcohol seems to play its part, but I wonder if the war experience made it easier. His war stories alone are worth the price of the book.

[Ady Stimpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another old school book written some fifty years ago but simply "un-put-down-able"! A rare glimpse into the pre-commercal world of motor racing. Funny and engagingly written. Loved it!

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really entertaining read. This guy survived so many calamities it is just unbelievable. All written in a typically British way with the amusing anecdotes coming thick and fast.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for fans of 1950s sports car racing