Customer Reviews

Go Ahead - Take the Wheel

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've always wanted to race, but always thought it was out of my reach financially. Who can afford to race? Those people are rich! At least that is what I thought until I bought this book. This book shows you how to start racing on a budget that the average working person, like me, can afford!

Thanks to Dave, I'm still enjoying days at the racetrack, but now people are watching me instead of the other way around! Go ahead, take the wheel, it's intoxicating.

If you think that you want to race, but you don't know where to begin, this is a very good book to start out with.
No fluff, straight forward, ways to get you involved in wheel to wheel racing.
Mostly geared towards SCCA, but easily adaptable to different clubs in your region.
Even if you are not ready to take your care out on the track, Dave Gran offers insight to other ways to volunteer to work the track and work with some of the crews out there now.
Sure you knew that is what you needed to do, but he tells you how to get yourself there.
He offered solutions to get involved into the racing that I was looking for, and saved me a great deal of time trying to find out how to go about it.

Road racing is possible at just about any age. I got my racing license at age 47 in 2003...I REALLY wish Dave Gran's book was around when I first started out as it would have shortened my learning curve significantly. Getting into road racing has been one of the most awesome things I have ever done. Racing can be an affordable hobby and Dave's book will show you how to do it on your budget!

Scott Neville
NASA SpecE30

Right from the start, Gran got me sucked into his book by explaining what a day at the races is really like. Normally I find myself putting down books often, but this one captively held my attention with a highlighter in hand. I purchased this book based upon reviews I read from Motor Trend and Grassroots magazine, in hopes it would shed light on how to begin racing - it most definitely accomplished that goal. I also found myself referring back to it several times and re-reading various chapters.

The book is written in a very fun and friendly manner as if Dave was talking to me over a few beers, which is why I found myself lured into turning page after page. Instead of simply stating information like a text book, many of the chapters use anecdotes and provides the information in a much more interesting manner. It is full of valuable information that will save you a significant amount of money and heartache. I've have heard that racing can be accomplished on a relatively low budget, but what exactly does that mean? I was told "you can buy a racecar inexpensively." Exactly how much is that? Go Ahead - Take the Wheel lays it all out on the table defining the various costs associated with racing. Whether you're a budget minded racer like myself or have a deeper pocketbook, it's all there.

The author is upfront in that this book is not aimed at discussing racing lines or other technical racing techniques and refers people to other books for this purpose. I did however find the chapter that discussed what's necessary to become a front runner very interesting and helpful.

So, if you've ever thought about racing, you really need to pick-up a copy of this book. Gran's advice has surely saved me a lot of money on stuff I don't need and given me the necessary information to get out there myself.

Excellent book! I read the whole thing in one sitting. It is probably the only book I have ever read cover to cover. I thought I had a pretty solid plan to start getting into road racing. After reading the book, I realized I was way off. This book covers all the stages you will encounter during your racing carrer. Whether you have never driven a racecar, are an amature racer, or an experienced racer you will benifit from this book. Thanks to Dave, I will be saving myself a ton of money! Thank you! You guys reading this page, stop wasting your time and buy the book! You will not regret it.

I happened across this book recently when a friend who was just starting out showed the advertisement for it to me. I was surprised to see that it was actually written by someone I know and have raced with (we both tried to occupy the same space in one race several years ago at Summit Point but that's racing!). I found Dave to be a terrific guy and one who I would race with any day. In short, I bought the book for my friend and it's been well worth it. The path that Dave followed in his SCCA career obviously paid dividends for him as it will any new person just starting down the road. Kudos Dave and thanks!!

Lauren
Chief of Pit, Summit Point Raceway
#68 ITA Neon Middle Atlantic Road Race Series

This book fits a very practical need for the motorsports enthusiast who wants to get involved in motorsport with their own car, and needs to learn and understand what it involves in terms of money and preparation. Most books in this niche space address "how" to drive. This book addresses how to prepare to get your car and yourself in a position where you "can" drive. For the uninitiated that can be initimidating enough to keep them from even trying. Mr. Gran's book takes all of that away as an excuse to not give it a try, and in an infectiously enthusiastic and joyful exhuberance shared openly by someone who has learned a lot, and generously shares it. There isn't another book at this time that serves this purpose exclusively, or any part of another book that does it as well. Knowing what you will be getting into and how to measure it will allow the reader to make an informed decision on whether this is something they can responsibly embrace on their budget. While the book helps prepare to engage in wheel to wheel racing programs with proper event sanctioning sponsors, much of it is equally applicable to the growing number of HPDE and time attack drivers, who can benefit from Mr. Gran's insights and advice.

Dave's book is great. I read it when I started getting into motor sports this season, and it was a fantastic guide into getting one's feet wet at autocrosses, then move on to performance driving schools, and I will use it to move on into club racing.

I met Dave at a driving school where he was my instructor; he is a great guy, experienced and very supportive, interested in sharing what he knows to help a newbie get on the track.

What's important is how this book saves you a fortune. Dave tells you what you need and don't need to get started: every beginner, including myself, would probably first spend a ton of money on car performance and racing-related items, maybe even a fast car. Not only is much of that unnecessary, much of it may even not be allowed in sanctioned competitive events. The book tells you what forms of racing and classes there are and what you need to do to compete. It is also a good starting point with web links etc. to get further information.

There is just a ton of advice from someone who went through every stage of club racing himself and knows first-hand what issues will come up if you choose to race, on and off the track. It's even funny!

If you want to get started with racing, or are even just pondering the idea, this book will be the best few dollars you ever spent.

If you are like me and have an interest in going racing someday, this book really shows you what you have to do to get into the sport on a decent budget. I read the book in a day (which is a HUGE feat for me - I never liked books very much). It is very informative and sometimes humorous. It's laid back, but provides the advice and teachings that would prove very helpful when the time comes. Gran, the author, even goes into explaining how to prep a car... Anyway, I really liked this book. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in Autocross, SCCA Club racing, or just interested in racing.

A MUST read if you want to start road racing, have just started road racing or even have been turning laps for years. The book brings up a lot of great points often overlooked. Easy and quick to read, I couldn't put it down! This is real life information you need and won't get from any sanctioning body or how to drive book.