3 brief book reviews

#1 "ALBERTO ASCARI" by Pierre Menard &Jaques Vassal, Good basic bio.that starts in the 1920s with father Antonio and later with son Alberto's early pre war years in Moto events.Then a brief discussion of W W II financial successes. Starting with page 44 is a good basic discussion of the post was years until 1955.Many good B & W period photo including the three wheel pit stop and the Monaco crash.Just enough behind the scene events to add color.If you want more there are plenty of additional volumes.#2 "STIRLING MOSS,THE CHAMPION WITHOUT A CROWN" by Pierre Menard & Jaques Vassal,Chronosports S.A. 2003.This volume does little to describe Moss as one of the truly greats of all time.It tells better that despite Colotti gear boxes and a lot of questionable engineering and construction at Maseratti,Lotus,BRM,and Vanwall he is still up there with Nuvolari, Caracciola and Fangio.The magic of Alf Francis was a windfall but neither Coventry Climax,BRM Vanwall or Aston Martin could provide engines to consistantly show his greatness.Three events with Aston Martin at the Ring really tell the story.According to the authors Moss had a signed letter of intent with Ferrari before the Bari snub, and again much later before the crashes that ended his career.Every major scuderia of the period wanted him and paid well to have him when they could.It just shows that despite all their problems Ferrari was the only organization which could deliver over the period of twenty years.#3"THE COBRA-FERRARI WARS 1963-1965",by Michael L. Shoen [second edition], 2005. The A C Bristol in its day dominated its class. As beautiful to look at as it was fast. Put a 289 Ford engine in it and you have a very different story.This book is all about Carol Shelby's efforts to compete in the big leagues and not with a great deal of success.The continuous efforts to modify the A C chassis to handle the big heavy 289 was never ending.Ford was of little help in modifying the engine to be competitive.High speed aerodynamic problems were never solved.The likes of Gurney,Miles,Hill Bonderant et all did some spectacular things behind the wheel.Shelby was not available to drive anymore due to heart condition.There were some successes in a few major European events but it was at home in the USA where the cars were more successful.And they were spectacular to watch power sliding there way around the tracks.The book is about the Cobra. If this is your thing then you must have this one. Enjoy. tong's crew