Engineer to Win (Motorbooks Workshop) [Paperback]

Carroll Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Motorbooks Workshop | Publication Date: January 11, 1985

Current state of the art in racing technology by a foremost expert in the field. Covers all forms of racing cars and includes a thorough analysis of metallurgy, metal fatigue and general materials technology. Details specific components and specific activities such as heat treatments, stress relieving, etc. Plus aerodynamics, ground effects, brakes, tools, and more. ...excellent information. Popular Cars magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (January 11, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879381868
• ISBN-13: 978-0879381868
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Classic Cars
  • #63 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Racing
  • #85 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Motor Sports

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engineering for racers, June 23, 2000

By 

Michael Smith (far north Chicago suburbs, Illinios) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Engineer to Win (Motorbooks Workshop) (Paperback)

"Engineer to Win " by Carroll Smith is the third book in his series of hands on guides to racing. Anyone who has read his earlier books, "Tune to Win" and "Prepare to Win" has probably already ordered this book. Those out there haven't been introduced to Carroll Smith are in for a very enjoyable experience. All to often engineering books written by engineering professors for engineers are technically correct but drier than a popcorn fart. Smith is just the opposite. His sense of humor and down to earth writing style are a welcome relief to readers used to struggling to get through technical manuals. He teaches you basic engineering principles in easy to understand terms for the layman. This volume contains an excellent crash course (excuse the pun) in metalurgy. While he has been there and done that and doesn't B.S. you, he manages to not come off like a know-it-all. In fact, when he's not an expert on the subject, he'll tell you so and send you elsewhere for the information. For example on composites he'll send you to an experimental aircraft source because that's where the cutting edge of that technology lies. I give this book, my highest rating and recomend it to racers, fans, and anyone who ever wanted to get in to racing. Although you may want to start with one of his earlier books first, the wealth of information contained, and the manner in which it's presented in this series is enough to single handedly move you from the grandstands to the pits. Enjoy & good luck!

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Get the Book. It is that good! Period., June 12, 2004

By 

Brian Barnett (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Engineer to Win (Motorbooks Workshop) (Paperback)

I have read many books pertaining to chassis design, construction techniques, automotive materials selection, suspension design, engine design, engine components and construction, aerodynamics, downforce, sheetmetal fabrication, welding, machining, car tuning, etc. Few I have read more than twice. This is one of those few books. But why?

Carroll Smith presents the information logically, clearly and with the correct amount of depth so that you may make cognizent decisions. He is able to write in such a way that it reads easily...as though you have recorded your conversation as he answers your many questions. It is not dull, engineering jargon but interesting, factual data presented well. It would be nice if all subjects were as well documented and presented. A thanks to Mr. Smith for sharing the information. It must have taken many years (and lessons) to gather.

The pictures are done well, the graphs and tables present the information clearly and adequately backup his statements. If you read the book and absorb all that is presented for you, you will be a much wiser individual for the experience. You will be a better racecar builder AND a better driver as you will understand what is happening as you navigate the course.

I would recommend not only this book but the entire "to WIN" series as they all share these traits.

Happy learning!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not really a book on engineering, September 21, 2005

By 

R. Fingerle - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Engineer to Win (Motorbooks Workshop) (Paperback)

Smith's books have become bibles for many racers. This one has very good sections dealing with detail aspects of race car systems although it felt like something was missing in the area of suspensions. But suspensions require their own book so that is probably unavoidable.
Smith spent nearly the first third of the book explaining the history, refining, and structure of steel. Interesting stuff but what he was getting to was why ferrous metals fail, and not all of the information in the first third of the book was required for that. And this is a metals book, he had little experience with composites and there is really no useful information about them in the book.
All of his information on threaded fasteners is in his fastener book (which is very good) so reducing that would have made more space for info about race car systems.
I was surprised to see that much of his info about welding was either outdated or incorrect according to the American Welding Society.
So, don't expect too much from this one and check critical information with other sources.