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Performance Driving books / videos

Discussion in 'Tracking & Driver Education' started by speedy_sam, Feb 18, 2010.

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  1. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

    Jul 13, 2004
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    #1 speedy_sam, Feb 18, 2010
    <Hopefully this is isn't a duplicate thread>

    What are the good books or videos that helped you drive better on the track or even on the road? I am looking for something that will help an enthusiast level of driver - not something for established racers to become Schumachers. :)
     
  2. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

    Jan 23, 2004
    6,846
    Star Alliance Lounge
    #2 b-mak, Feb 18, 2010
    For enthusiasts, Ross Bentley's Speed Secrets is great. Just the original Speed Secrets, mind you, not any of the subsequent editions.

    Jackie Stewart's Principles of Performance Driving (or something similarly named) is not great. It's out of print and I have a copy, but it's basically Jackie's first go at an autobiography.
     
  3. EnzymaticRacer

    EnzymaticRacer F1 Veteran

    Feb 27, 2005
    5,367
    #3 EnzymaticRacer, Feb 18, 2010
    +1

    I had significant track day experience, and had progressed to running in the TT group with NASA by the time I read Speed Secrets.


    My favorite point from the book:

    "If your car feels like its on rails, you aren't driving fast enough"

    The book really helped me visualize the mechanics of what was happening while I was driving, and the engineering that went into the cars to make them do what they do. It helped me realize that I wasn't going to get any faster until I started pushing the car past the point of "running on rails".
     
  4. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
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    #4 ProCoach, Feb 18, 2010
    The best study is that which covers the fundamentals. The Bentley Speed Secret series is very good, but the three that I would recommend are, in no particular order:

    1) Going Faster, The Official Book of the Skip Barber Racing School. Carl Lopez. 1997. Packed with terrific information and fundamental skills training perfect for drivers who aren't even contemplating competition.

    2) Driving in Competition. Alan Johnson. 1972. Still the textbook on how to analyze and most effectively and efficiently navigate them. Good theory.

    3) The Technique of Motor Racing, Piero Taruffi. 1957. If you're an engineer, this book outlines the scientific tenets on going fast very well!

    Check out Amazon for community recommendations, but these are the three books every
    driver should have on their bookshelf.
     
  5. zaevor2000

    zaevor2000 Formula 3

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    #5 zaevor2000, Feb 18, 2010
    I believe that Think To Win by Don Alexander is also an outstanding addition to those previously mentioned.
     
  6. joba

    joba Formula Junior

    Jul 23, 2009
    662
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    #6 joba, Feb 18, 2010
  7. early93viper

    early93viper Formula Junior

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    #7 early93viper, Feb 18, 2010
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2010
    Can't beat Ross Bentley's Speed Secrets I have read a lot of the track books and nothing can stand up to Speed Secrets. I would get all of them but the first and Second Speed Secrets are the best.
     
  8. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 BigTex, Feb 19, 2010
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2010
    Paul Frere (R.I.P.) wrote a very good one on Sports Car and Competition Driving.

    I have it Sameer.... drop by and borrow it.

    Some others too who's titles escape me at the moment.

    I have a VERY old title by Jackie Stewart covering not only the basics of driving but buying a good sound used car! Scotsman indeed! It's funny due to it's antiquity, early 60s probably, from the pictures.

    Edit: The other one is by Alain Prost, covering racing lines and tactics....the final chapter is:

    "WATCH OUT!! FOR AYRTON SENNA!"...or something like that....:D :D :D
     
  9. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

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    #9 speedy_sam, Feb 19, 2010
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2010
    Thanks for the suggestions everyone. :)

    I have the Piero Taruffi book. Very cool book but some of the science in it went above my head. :eek: :D

    I think I will go through some of the fundamental books identified here and see if it helps me improve. :D
     
  10. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 BigTex, Feb 19, 2010
    You need to see this framed 348 Rodeo Drive poster, anyway........drop by, if in the Heights area....
     
  11. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 darth550, Feb 19, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  12. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 darth550, Feb 19, 2010
    Right alongside the E-Monster's petrified gingerbread man! :D:D:D
     
  13. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #13 BigTex, Feb 20, 2010
    VERY nice gingerbread man!

    The 355 Event was later, I suppose.

    But the 348 is similar, it's more of a frontal view of the car....very similar artwork though.

    Valeria is "in the yard" working,, I'll get her camera later hopefully.
     
  14. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 darth550, Feb 20, 2010
    The 550 poster was similar as well. :) Lost the poster, still have the t-shirt! ;):)
     
  15. zaevor2000

    zaevor2000 Formula 3

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    #15 zaevor2000, Feb 21, 2010
    I also have Prost's Competition Driving as well as Senna's Principles of Race Driving...if you have Senna's book hang onto it it only occasionally pops up on Amazon for around $300...

    I have Stewart's Principles of Performance Driving and as others have said it's basically autobiographical and light on the technical matters. A very light read.

    I also concur that Going Faster is outstanding along with Speed Secrets...

    If you're ever up Dallas way I'll let you see the Senna book...

    Frank
     
  16. lung7707

    lung7707 F1 World Champ

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    #16 lung7707, Apr 24, 2010
    I have picked up a lot of tips from this book.
    +1
     
  17. Jaffster

    Jaffster Karting

    Mar 27, 2010
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    #17 Jaffster, Apr 25, 2010
  18. saw1998

    saw1998 F1 Veteran

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    #18 saw1998, Apr 26, 2010
    Great recommendations. Going Faster is now available in a Book/DVD set. I found it helpful to actually "see" the theoretical concepts taught in the book.
     
  19. cgh1

    cgh1 Formula Junior

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    Chuck Hawks
    #19 cgh1, Apr 28, 2010
    Ditto from here...

    Cheers & C U @ d'Track!!
    C

    Chuck Hawks,
    Pro-Driver, Coach, Instructor & Facilitator
    rEvolution Performance Driving System
     

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