Description
Author: Cyril Posthumus, Hardbound,227 Pages, ISBN: B0007JCWAU, First Edition, 1961 - ** Second-Hand book in very good condition !**
Firmly imprinted in the mind of eve motor racing enthusiast is the fact that a British Sunbeam car won the 1923 French Grand Prix; the rarity of the deed has kept it fresh in mind, for it was the only British-driven British car to have won the great French classic until 1960.
This book is about the driver of the victorious Sunbeam, Henry O'Neal who did so much more than just win the Grand Prix for Britain. Cyril Posthumus recounts the exploits of the airman, Grand Prix driver and holder of the World's Land and Water Speed Records, who started his racing career as a private owner. "Seagrave was, undoubtedly, unusually gifted as a road-racing driver, but he secured his opportunity to attain success without the slightest influential support.
Entirely unknown and without adequate finance, he still gained worldwide recognition", wrote Captain G. E. T. Eyston. Segrave's persuasive powers matched his skill and he quickly became a works driver for the Sunbeam/Talbot/ Darracq combine, then in the prime of its racing life, and in 1927 he became the first man to exceed 200 m.p.h. on land. He died at Lake Windermere after attempting to improve his own newly-created Water Speed Record.
As well as telling the story of the career which made Segrave the outstanding personality of the motoring scene of the 'twenties, Cyril Posthumus paints a portrait of a man who was a remarkable character by any standards —a charming, persuasive, ruthlessly determined person, who saw his goal, pursued it with intimidating single-mindedness, and became the hero of a generation.
Many of the 62 illustrations from photographs and drawings have been reproduced from Sir Henry's personal photograph albums.
