The Bahamas Speed Weeks [Hardcover]

Terry O'Neil (Author), Denise McCluggage (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2006

The vision of one man, Captain Sherman "Red" Crise formed the basis for what was to become the Bahamas Speed Weeks, a series of motor races held on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas. They started in the mid 1950s and continued for 13 years, before ending due to a mix of political decisions, ill fortune and a shift in the direction motor racing had taken over that period of time.

These years were described by many commentators as the golden age of motor racing, where internationally acclaimed drivers attended the Speed Weeks to mix with the many amateur racers from America who came to enjoy the scenario of sun, parties and racing.

For many drivers the social scene was as important as the racing, and in latter years prize money was an extra incentive to turn up. This well researched account tracks the history of the Speed Weeks with its roller-coaster ride throughout its 13 years existence, and includes stunning photos, complete statistics, and more. With a foreword by Denise McCluggage.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Auto Aficionado, November/December 2006

“It is difficult not to notice when one author has accomplished something truly different from the norm. Terry O’Neil is a case in point … O’Neil’s research resulted in entertainingly informative text.”

Santa Fe New Mexican (NM), Nov. 9, 2006

“The details that O’Neil has brought together are astonishing: every particular in every race, what they drove and where they finished. And a narrative to bring it all alive. Scads of photographs.”
                                                                                                                                 
New Zealand Classic Car, September 2006
“If you read UK magazine reports from the time, you don't find a lot about the Speed Weeks, which makes this book, even more remarkable. It has 365 large pages, with incredibly full race results plus hundreds of black-and white and color photos. Added to that, O'Neill has assembled a full and fascinating history that he tells well.

 “O'Neill has unearthed some wonderful anecdotes … This is an impressive piece of racing history.”

Vintage Motorsport Magazine (UK), October 2006
“Those of us who have only heard about the legendary Bahamas Speed Weeks can now learn what we missed. For the first time the saga of this legendary race week-held from 1954-'67 on an exotic island-is told in great detail, a difficult task since many of the records were destroyed by the incoming Progressive Liberal Party in 1967 … Hundreds of photos along with program covers and badges, entry lists, invitations and race results add to this amazing treasure trove, one of the best racing books of 2006.”
                                                                                                                              
Victory Lane, September 2006
“This extraordinary well researched, written, illustrated, and produced book should be read by every vintage racer, organizer and promoter to understand how it once was and should be, as well as to enjoy a great series of the "Golden Age."

"Terry O'Neil's coverage of these races brings back not only memorable events, but many of the excellent pictures in the book document the historical time and atmosphere. Anyone remotely interested or touched by these races and events will be well served to keep this book close at hand in their library, or historical collections." – hannaian.com


"The period photography, in both black and white as well as color, brings this era to life. If ever a single volume on a particular subject can be called definitive, this has to be it." – Muscle Car Enthusiast

About the Author

Terry O’Neil has lived the majority of his life in the Midlands in England, where he worked for what was then a thriving motor industry within the sales and marketing departments for the Rootes Group (Hillman, Humber and Sunbeam) based in Coventry, then with British Leyland (Austin, Morris and MG) based in Birmingham. Terry always had the ambition to own a Ferrari, and this he achieved in 1991. Since that time he has been an active member of the Ferrari Owners Club of Great Britain, and enjoys the role of Archivist for the Club. He has written numerous articles for the Ferrari Club magazine and has contributed articles to Cavallino magazine, Ferrari Market Letter, the Austin-Healey Club of America magazine and Vintage Racecar Journal. His enthusiasm for researching less well-known races led him on a six-year adventure, culminating in his first book, The Bahamas Speed Weeks. He is currently working on a history of the Sports Car Club of America races from 1950 up to the end of 1955.  

Denise McCluggage is a journalist and author, as well as a former race car driver. As a driver she has won trophies on three continents in rallying and racing. Chief among her victories: first GT, Sebring (Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta); Copa de Damas, Grand Prix of Venezuela (Porsche 550 RS); and 1st in class, Rallye de Monte Carlo (Ford Falcon). As a journalist she is the only woman to have won the Ken W. Purdy Award for automotive journalism. She was in at the inception of Competition Press which is now AutoWeek She has a syndicated column called "Drive, She Said" in some 90 newspapers across the US and Canada.  

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Veloce; 1st edition (July 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845840186
• ISBN-13: 978-1845840181
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,170,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > History > Americas > Caribbean & West Indies > Bahamas

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bahamas Speed Weeks, November 2, 2006

By 

John Thompson (Atherton, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bahamas Speed Weeks (Hardcover)

An insightful look at this historical venue of
sports car racing that attracted the world's best drivers including Donohue, Penske, Grossman, Posey, Revson, Rodriguez, Foyt, Hansgen, P Hill, A Pabst, Surtees, Ginther, Gurney, and Morgan.
Detailed race results from 1961-1967 in each class with many B&W and color photos, many never before published.
A must have book if you love this golden era of sports car racing.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Coffee Table Book, November 2, 2006

By 

J. Drew (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bahamas Speed Weeks (Hardcover)

Strictly for the die-hard race fan. A nostalgic look back at the "vacation" racing from a bygone era. I am amazed at the amount of historical items that the author saved from the time period. All the class results and entry lists are there as well. I only wish I could have been there for one of the weekends.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE if you like cars and racing of the 50's, November 30, 2007

By 

Jim Gessner (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bahamas Speed Weeks (Hardcover)

My first experience in the Sports Car Racing world was at Lime Rock in 1959 helping a friend with a Volvo P544 slope back coupe. I was 16 and had no idea how I would get caught up in the fun of Sports Car racing. By 1964, I had moved to California and enjoyed Riverside and Laguna Seca.

This is one of the most honest books about the 1955-1967 era of Road Racing Sports Cars any where. Each chapter covers every year from 1954 thru 1966. Denise McCluggage presents the forward. And Terry O'Neil tells the story with amazing accuracy that allows one to re-live the time. As he says, "For those few lucky enought to be invited to compete, it was an experience of a lifetime" Thanks for sharing the story Terry.