Track Talk Book

I bought this cheap thinking it'll kill some time and, like most Formula 1 books I've read in the past, be average to boring. However I was pleasantly surprised how engaging Ian Stafford's humorous motor racing book is. Written during 2004, it's about his goal to prove himself against the best racing drivers in the world including the perceived best in Michael Schumacher, despite having little racing experience, being the ripe old age of 40 and the teasing of his family. Like most men in this world, we feel we're awesome drivers but Stafford takes it a step further by actually trying to prove it... with hilarious results. Along his journey he meets some of the best drivers in the business past and present, trying to get an idea on what makes a racing driver tick, including Stirling Moss, Chris Amon, Niki Lauda, Peter Brock, Jack Brabham, David Coulthard Jenson Button and Markko Martin. Each expresses their view on driving and their past experiences, many with some quite funny things to say about the trade. He also gets a taste of racing in F1 cars and rally, while trying for a racing license himself. I liked Stafford's style of writing and found myself quite entertained with what he had to say and description of events. He certainly puts the reader in the driver's seat in a style that allows those with little knowledge of motor racing to not get overwhelmed with what's going on, and it also works for those like myself who know quite a bit. And yes, he does meet Michael Schumacher in the end but I won't spoil what happens.