Description
By: Mark Whitelock .
This is the story of a Grand Prix formula that no British constructor wanted, but which, ironically, became one that they would almost totally dominate ...
The 11/2-litre GP era is often largely overlooked due to a common, if unfounded, perception that the cars were underpowered and hence unspectacular in relation to their forebears and successors. Such a perception ignores the tremendously significant and far-reaching technical developments that took place during the formula's currency: developments such as monocoque chassis construction, now taken for granted in F1.
This influential period of Grand Prix racing saw the career of Stirling Moss come to a premature end amongst the tangled wreckage of his car and, in his absence, the rise to prominence of a new breed of British drivers in Jim Clark, Graham Hill and John Surtees.
The result of many years of diligent research, this unique book paints the complete picture of the 11/2-litre Grand Prix racing years, featuring the twenty-one marques and the one-hundred and-one drivers that took part in one, or more, of the forty-six GPs run between 1961 and 1965.
Sadly, many of these marques and the majority of the drivers made little, or no, impact, yet their contributions, just like those of the prime movers, deserve to be remembered and recorded for posterity.
Features
- Covers a period largely overlooked in GP history.
- First comprehensive history of the period within a single cover.
- Highlights significant technical developments originated by British manufacturers.
- Chronicles achievements of the 5 major race car constructors.
- Records contribution of 16 lesser known makes outside established constructors.
- Provides background to achievements of well-known British racing drivers.
- Records contribution of 91 lesser known drivers outside the ‘top ten’.
- Opportunity to establish niche market for histories of other periods.
- Full use made of contemporary cutaway drawings of cars and engines.
- Taps into nostalgia accumulating for the classic days of GP racing.
