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Vic Elford: Reflections on a Golden Age in Motorsports

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To read an articulate and well written book on automobile racing and one's life in it is a rare treat indeed and "Reflections on a Golden Age in Motorsports" by Vic Elford certianly meets that criteria. He traces his life in racing from an afternoon outing with his father to the British Grand Prix just after the war through driving in road rallys in Europe with much success to becoming one of the premier endurance drivers of his era with significant victories both in Europe and North America in the late 60's and early 70's while driving for Porsche. He gives interesting insight into the life and demands of such an occupation, but it is written with the feeling one derives from totally emersing themselves in their chosen lifes work with all the triumphs and tragedies that accompany it.
People looking for more technical focus in auto racing books will not be disappointed either. He gives interesting insight into the driving of rally cars, the powerful Porshe 917 and its variants, as well as the original Shadow Can-Am car, and the legendary Chapparal 2J "sucker" ground effects car as well as development work he contributed to on the Porshe 911 rally cars, and the Toyota Can-Am car not to mention his forays into Formula One and NASCAR.
The book is written in an easy conversational narration style that flows easily from one topic to the next. Generous use of photos from Mr. Elfords' personal collection coupled with good editing and a complete index augment this work even more.
Whether you are a die hard or passing race fan from any era this is a very worthwhile read and a welcome additon to anyones racing library. Racing books of this caliber only come along every once in a while. The reader will feel fortunate to have shared some of Mr. Elfords' racing life through this book. You won't be disappointed. I'm already looking forward to his next book.

This very well written account of Vic Elford's racing career will appeal to all those who were fans of motor sport during the 1960s and '70s. What a contrast with today's drivers. Quick Vic piloted anything and everything, and was always brave and always fast. It would seem amazing to a driver today to hop out of a rally car and into a Grand Prix Car, then pitch up a few weeks later to race a Porsche sports car. Vic tells the story with modesty, humour and honesty. The book is one of the best of its kind - very well illustrated, nicely produced and easy to read. Strongly recommended.

a great bio and history of vic , very interesting reading and gives alot of back ground to the Porsche years and victory's

Vic Elford fans won't be disappointed with Vic's latest effort. A remarkably talented individual, with a devoted, extended family, Vic is that rare breed that can not only drive any type of motor racing car, but also write equally well about it. I enjoy tracking down old articles from his pen; always delightfully written and hugely informative. Love the packaging on David Bull Publishings effort on Vic's memoirs. Far too similar efforts fall very short in content, but Vic provides a very slow page turner, in that you'll read a page and then read it again just to take in all of the information he has so graciously given. It seems that nothing, no matter how insignificant, got by Vic while traveling at over 200 mph (ability to concentrate driving a multitude of cars was probably second to none for his era). Being ranked as one of the greatest sports car drivers of all time by "MotorSport" magazine is an accomplishment in itself; just wish others on that list were as equally talented with the pen to do their memoirs; but alas, some never will, having perished in the sport. Thanks Vic for doing what you do best. You vintage sports car crowd out there, go out of your way to sit and chat a spell with Mr. Elford- a most agreeable person and always a fan favorite. Having met him before on a few occasions, I'm not bashful to stay that he's one of my true boyhood heroes- worshipped but still down to earth like the rest of us. Vic's also a delightfull after-dinner speaker, similiar to our mutual dear friend Brian Redman, also a top 20 of all-time sports car drivers.