C.J. Ichiban

any of you guys read the senna and prost instructional books?

2BWise

The Senna instructional book is boring and has all the same content as every other "how-to drive" book. Plus, it's out of print and expensive. I'd say pass. There are better options out there.

Slakker

Reading Tune to Win by Carrol Smith right now. Obviously more chassis related but I'm enjoying his writing style.

ProCoach

No BS kind of guy. When I started as a professional mechanic a long time ago, his series of books were required reading.

Matt Romanowski

And still should be. Though I agree with most that Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners, and Plubming Handbook should have been known as Screw to Win.

mrbill_fl

add:

Carol Smiths series, engineer to win, prepare to win, dive to win, tune to win, etc.




woops! someone already posted this... I can't delete a post anymore?

ProCoach

Hahaha! Good one, Matt!

Coochas

I've recently been listening to books as my commute time has gone up.
I listened to the Art of Racing in the Rain. Wow. I really enjoyed it although it is a bit 'difficult' at times.
The racing references and application to real life should make this book enjoyable to just about any car nut.
It was very clever and while predictable it also had me wondering at times.
Two enthusiastic thumbs up to any racing and/or furry four-legged fans.

mlct

Well...I can second most of the recommendations already made and will be buying those mentioned I don't have yet.

My own reading started with:

the Skip Barber Going Faster (love the video to see what the guys I have met looked like back then!),
Frere,
the Prost book (after reading it and the Senna book again I really cannot recommend them anymore),
Elford
Sam Posey
The Stainless Steel Carrot by WIlkinson
The Unfair Advantage
All of Steve Matchett's books
Stirling Moss
Murray Walker
lots of other coffee table books

then after actually driving on track....being a former academic ....

Taruffi (wow!), the Speed Secrets series, the Smith series, the Brouillard series, and Krumm(which I really like).
the data analysis, tire (that one was fun), and suspension books already mentioned above

I can only add Jan Zuijdijk's (of JRZ) Vehicle Dynamics and Damping to this serious list for those interested in suspension damping
After reading all these clearly I should be faster. More than one wit has suggested I stop thinking on track...

Here are some for general interest that I don't think have already been mentioned

Fast Girl by Ingrid Steffensen about starting to do DE's and moving on to being an Instructor. I gave it to all the women in my family who questioned me about driving on the track! Not to worry it doesn't go over the cost...
Denis Jenkinson The Racing Driver and also a collection of articles called just Jenks.
Tales from the Toolbox by Michael Oliver. About being and F1 mechanic back in the day
The Mechanic by Marc Preistley. More F1
I Just Make the Tea by Di Spires ...still more F1 stories
Sid Watkins Life at the Limit...and more F1
How to Build a Car by Adrian Newey
The Perfect Car a bio of John Barnard by Nick Skeens
Go LIke Hell and also Ford vs Ferrari about the battle for LeMans in the mid-60's
Jackie Stewart Winning is not enough (btw there are some great YouTube videos of him driving and instructing) Also the Monaco film Weekend of a Champion.
Keep them coming....

Mark
P.S. should probably have included Peter and Ross's video track walks...

Matt Romanowski

I can't agree on this one. I'm still mad they stole my money on the first edition, then they duped me with a second edition saying it was heavily revised!

mlct

Yeah...I bought the 2nd one too thinking it would have more. Oh well....

I think the second edition Krumm was worth it though

Mark

seanseidman

I'm glad to see Krumm's book mentioned, a good complement to ultimate speed secrets.
Go like Hell was a great read.
Carroll Smith books next on the list.

conceptDawg

I've added most of these—and a couple extra—to a LibraryThing list for easy browsing.
Feel free to add more (you'll need an account to add/edit, but it's free)

http://www.librarything.com/list/20256/all/Auto-Racing

Gofishracing

I like to keep a copy of Carroll Smith's Engineer in Your Pocket as a guide.

TFBoxster

Slightly different, but for those interested in technology advancement and approaches to finding an engineering advantage in Motorsport its an interesting book -