Description
By: Michael Argetsinger .
More than 3o years after his death, Mark Donohue remains one of the best known and most fondly remembered figures in American motor racing. Donohue's record as a driver was spectacular: He won national sports-car championships as an amateur, and later, the popular Trans-Am sedan series driving both Chevrolet Camaros and AMC Javelins. Though best known as a road racer, his versatility also made him competitive on ovals, with his most famous victory coming at the Indianapolis 50o in 1972. A year later he won the Canadian- American Challenge Cup (Can-Am) title at the wheel of the iconic Porsche 917-3o, as well as the inaugural International Race of Champions (IROC) in early 1974. His death in 1975 following a practice accident at Formula One's Austrian Grand Prix stunned the entire sports world.
Donohue's good looks and friendly demeanor made him a favorite with fans and the media, who dubbed him "Captain Nice." But close friends, teammates, and fellow drivers knew these qualities belied an intensely competitive nature and a determination to win at all costs. And in an era of rapid technological change and ever-increasing competition, Donohue also became widely recognized for his ability to apply what he experienced on the track to the testing and preparation of each car he drove. While this partly reflected his formal training in engineering at Brown University, a naturally analytical mind and a relentless work ethic instilled by his family were even more important. This unique package of on- and off-track skills allowed Donohue to make the most of cars with inherent disadvantages, such as AMC's Trans-Am Javelin. And in a superior vehicle such as Porsche's 917, the result was what one writer called "the ultimate man-machine combination in the history of motorsport."
Drawing upon years of research and interviews, author Michael Argetsinger re-creates the full scope of Mark Donohue's ambitions to his greatest triumphs. Along the way he includes observations from such great drivers as Mario Andretti, George remarkable life and career, from his earliest childhood Follmer, David Hobbs, Parnelli Jones, and Sam Posey, all of whom raced alongside Donohue. He also goes behind the scenes to get further insight from Donohue's engineers and crew, as well as friends, family, and fans. Mark Donohue is the ultimate portrait of an American racing legend.
In the first full biography of Mark Donohue, author Michael Argetsinger tells the story of racing’s ultimate driver-engineer, one who set the standard for generations to come. He also explains how Donohue’s life and career were shaped by his friends, family, and fellow drivers, as well as by the rapid changes in technology and competition that swept through racing during his time.
