Flat Out, Flat Broke: Formula 1 the Hard Way! (Paperback)

by Perry McCarthy (Author), Damon Hill (Foreword), Perry McCarthy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
'a lesson in sheer determination' Motorsport News

Product Description
Perry McCarthy decided at the age of 18 that he wanted to reach the top in the world's most expensive sport. This is his autobiography. Foreword by Damon Hill. "Perry McCarthy does for Formula One what Bill Bryson did for travel writing. But beneath the black humor and wisecracks-funny enough to make you laugh out loud in public-lies an inspiring and at times poignant tale of the rarest kind of racer: one who never gave up and was, literally, prepared to die trying" David Tremayne, The Independent on Sunday.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Haynes Publishing; 2nd edition (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844250180
• ISBN-13: 978-1844250189
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #247,727 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another side of racing - a must for Formula One fans!, November 8, 2002

By	S. Caldwell (dayton, oh United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Flat Out & Flat Broke Formula 1 the Hard Way (Hardcover)

Many people are familiar with the stars of racong. In Formula One today, it's Michael Schumacher. Ten years ago, it was Ayrton Senna. This story is about the people on the other end of the grid.

Perry McCarthy knew very little about racing until a friend took him to a racetrack. Perry immediately became hooked and started on a quest to be World Champion.

You won't believe the hard luck that he has along the way. He does make it to the pinnacle of motor sports, Formula One, in a roundabout sort of way.

There was a baseball book called "Good Enough To Dream" that was written about minor-league players. This is a book about someone that is even closer than that, a fraction of an inch away from realizing everything that he ever wanted.

You might think that someone in that position would be bitter, but McCarthy displays a sense of humor that will keep you turning the pages! And along the way, you meet up with the like of Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert, and other familiar names.

A nice addition to your Formula One library.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flat out, Flat good!, September 7, 2003

By	The Cross "trmccandless" (Kirkwood, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flat Out & Flat Broke Formula 1 the Hard Way (Hardcover)

Being an F1 fanatic, I had just finished the great book by Murray Walker. Looking for another good book about F1, I found this gem on Amazon. Mad Dog is among other things, a fighter and you have to give him credit; getting into the worlds most expensive sport with no cash is quite a feat.

The book is very well written in a Conversational style that makes you feel like one of the rat pack. Like F1, its paced at the speed of taking Eau Rouge flat out. After reading this story, you certainly wish you were one of the blokes lined up to give him money. He has a charm and whit that is infectious and translates well in print. I strongly recommend this book. Not to learn about F1, but to learn about Perry. To learn something of risk, gambles and the will to succeed at all costs. The parallel stories of his mates; Hill, Blundell and Herbert are equally entertaining. The overall story of his father, who was foreshadowing Perrys own career choices and paths, is a welcome angle to this book as well. In short, this book was a total surprise and treat for anyone that just likes good stories of life and struggles in the motor racing world.

To Perry, I say good luck to you sir. You have had a difficult road to travel but what memories it has provided for you, and now me.

4.0 out of 5 stars A view at the other end of the grid, June 24, 2009

By	J. B Wilt "JBW857" (Katy, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Utterly fantastic. As one who tried to enter the sponsored world of Formula 3 in 1984/5, I can certainly understand the trials and tribulations that Perry McCarthy experienced trying to work his way to the top. During his rise to the top, I was familiar with many of those whom he described and could certainly sympathise/empathise with his struggles. If you race in Formula Fords (or any other minor series) and you think you want to go to the top, read this book! Truly amazing. Definitely worth a read to find out what Formula One is really like at the other end of the grid...and it ain't pretty.