The Technique of Motor Racing

Rating:
Summary: The science of motorsports, and a lot of nostalgia
Review: Although written in 1959 this book is still one of the best introductions to the techniques of motor racing. The author was a rare combination: he was both an engineer (for Ferrari, among others) and a racecar driver. As an F1 driver, Taruffi was not extremely successful: after all, he had Manuel Fangio as a teammate! His greatest success was his victory in the last running of that famous Italian long-distance road-race, the 1957 Mille Miglia (1000 miles around Italy), driving a fabulous Ferrari 315S. Maybe even more fabulous was the Lancia 3300 that Taruffi drove in the Carrera Panamericana of 1952 (three Lancias took the first three spots, including Taruffi's).

The technical level of the discussion of topics like tire-slip, early and late apex, standard line, etc., is more advanced than more recent books: this book has more equations. The basic principles, however, are explained simply enough for the average reader (and the hand-drawn illustrations are very clear).

Of course the numerical values were appropriate to the cars of fifty years ago: the coefficient of adhesion of tires were about 0.6 or 0.7, rather than about 1.0 or more, like they are now, and cars had no aerodynamic down force. But the theory was still the same.

Testimonials by Fangio and Niki Lauda demonstrate the value of the principles described by Taruffi for the champions of two different generations.

But, of course this book is not just about technique, it is also about nostalgia: old photographs document the running of the 1954 Indianapolis 500, Monza 1957, Taruffi's 315S on the Passo della Futa, the layout of the old Nurburgring...



Rating:
Summary: One of the first and still one of the best
Review: One of the first books written on the "art and science" of auto racing and by far still one of the best. His comments still hold true today even with great advances in car technology. If you're interested in racing and/or high-performance driving, buy this book!

Rating:
Summary: A marvelous technical manual for race driving.
Review: Signor Taruffi, a Civil Engineer, was one of the great race drivers of the 1950's. His engineering background gave him the precision in writing, as well as in driving. Charming, hand-drawn diagrams in this book make the well-written text even easier to grasp. There are plenty of photographs that show famous tracks and great drivers of the past. Oh and, Signora Taruffi's beautiful too....

Rating:
Summary: Still The best beginner's book on motor racing:
Review: Taruffi's book is still the best beginner's book on motor racing despite its being decades old! As a former professional racing driver I can tell you that Taruffi presents the concepts a racer needs to master before getting into a car ... in fact, many driving schools use this book as a primary teaching text. Taruffi got it exactly right ... anyone who wants to race, or just do a better job of navigating the local twisty roads, should get this book and savor it

Rating:
Summary: The Art and Science of Motor Racing!!
Review: The Technique of Motor Racing
by Piero Taruffi

Aloha,
Thirty years ago I was a driver for the "Jim Russell International Racing Driving School" out at Willow Springs, CA USA. One of the greatest times in my life. Jim Russell (JRS) at that time had schools simultaneously on five continents. We taught in so many languages that we did not have a textbook of our own. JRS was busy training movie stars and World Champions for Formula One Race Car Driving. JRS put students in signal seaters from day one! We use to order Taruffi's by the case. It had been "The Book!" for over ten years and was very hard to find. I think Harry Morrow would get them for us from England. They would sell out every time. We could not keep them on the shelf.

I use the principles I learned every time I take to the road. I believe it has helped make me a safer and definitely faster better Motor Vehicle Driver. Probably contributed to my long life, considering I am in the habit of winning on or off the track.

For decades I did not see Taruffi at all. Sometimes I would pick them up in old bookstores. I am glad for the sake of all future drivers that someone has had the wisdom to keep Taruffi in publication. Just the fact that it is around after all these years should tell you something.

Even today, you will seldom see them sold used. You will never see them sold cheap. Many driving books are about the author. Some are about street driving. Taruffi is pure Racing!! How you can drive a car faster. The essence of driving. I do not see how things could have changed enough to invalidate anything Taruffi has had to say. Decide for yourself, you can always return it.

If you have read every book on Motor Racing ever published. You will find The Technique of Motor Racing not only has a lot to offer you. It may just be the most compact bit of Racing Knowledge you have ever found in one place.

Pass Um`
-ooO-(GoldTrader)-Ooo-

Rating:
Summary: The Art and Science of Motor Racing!!
Review: The Technique of Motor Racing
by Piero Taruffi

Aloha,
Thirty years ago I was a driver for the "Jim Russell International Racing Driving School" out at Willow Springs, CA USA. One of the greatest times in my life. Jim Russell (JRS) at that time had schools simultaneously on five continents. We taught in so many languages that we did not have a textbook of our own. JRS was busy training movie stars and World Champions for Formula One Race Car Driving. JRS put students in signal seaters from day one! We use to order Taruffi's by the case. It had been "The Book!" for over ten years and was very hard to find. I think Harry Morrow would get them for us from England. They would sell out every time. We could not keep them on the shelf.

I use the principles I learned every time I take to the road. I believe it has helped make me a safer and definitely faster better Motor Vehicle Driver. Probably contributed to my long life, considering I am in the habit of winning on or off the track.

For decades I did not see Taruffi at all. Sometimes I would pick them up in old bookstores. I am glad for the sake of all future drivers that someone has had the wisdom to keep Taruffi in publication. Just the fact that it is around after all these years should tell you something.

Even today, you will seldom see them sold used. You will never see them sold cheap. Many driving books are about the author. Some are about street driving. Taruffi is pure Racing!! How you can drive a car faster. The essence of driving. I do not see how things could have changed enough to invalidate anything Taruffi has had to say. Decide for yourself, you can always return it.

If you have read every book on Motor Racing ever published. You will find The Technique of Motor Racing not only has a lot to offer you. It may just be the most compact bit of Racing Knowledge you have ever found in one place.

Pass Um`
-ooO-(GoldTrader)-Ooo-

Rating:
Summary: Classic book covering the concepts and techniques of racing
Review: The timeless book which has taught hundreds of racing enthusiasts to exceed their expectations and conquer the race track. Although this book was originally written 40 years ago, there are few books which detail the techniques and concepts behind motor racing so clearly. This is definately a book that belongs on every true racing enthusiasts bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: Classic book covering the concepts and techniques of racing
Review: The timeless book which has taught hundreds of racing enthusiasts to exceed their expectations and conquer the race track. Although this book was originally written 40 years ago, there are few books which detail the techniques and concepts behind motor racing so clearly. This is definately a book that belongs on every true racing enthusiasts bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book about cornering!
Review: This book, first published in 1959, is mostly devoted to cornering, and this is the best publication about turns on flat surfaces with high adhesion, used in sport racing, and this information is still valid.

It has a pretty little chapter on physical training of a driver, with the schemes gymnastic exercises recommended for a motorist.

The details of driving position and handling of a steering wheel are mentioned, but not covered well enough.

Nevertheless, the cornering is explained fairly well, in 69 pages full of formulas, schemes and illustrations.

If you need a deeper text-book about fast and safe cornering, which is not only applicable to sport but also to driving on public road, and which covers slippery surfaces like ice, snow and dirt, I would have recommended a published work by Professor Tsygankov.

Rating:
Summary: A Superb Book on Motor Racing Technique
Review: What a superb book on motor racing. Mr.Taruffi excelled in giving facts & information on motor racing technique. With all the diagrams, charts & photos added, it makes this book a must for beginners in motor racing. Mr. Taruffi excelled marvellously on driving topics such as cornering, braking and even general advice relatively on motor racing. With his vast experiences in racing such as Mille Miglia & Grand Prix along with top drivers during the racing hayday such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Ascari, Farina and others, it makes him a truly proffesional author to write on this matter.