Motorcycle racing books

Hi all, another topic I think could be good. As it is new you might use it for recommandations on allready published books.

Some of my own books are :

Motocourse 50 years of Moto Grand Prix
Continental Circus 1949-200 by Maurice Bula
The Grand Prix Riders by Woollett & Clifford
MotorradSport by Krackovizer & Carrick
Legenden auf 2 raedern by Jurgen Kiesslich
Motorcycleguide 1974 by SIL SPORT
Sidecar Championship by George O'Dell

to name those with overall GP racing .

Top of my list,
Jon Ekerolds book, brilliant!!, & the 1974 Sil book, pocket size great pics, a small version of Motocourse, way ahead of its time.
Enjoyed No time to lose by Alan Peck about Bill Ivy.
Not so good, Mick Grants & Steve Hislops.
Roger Marshall book is good also.
A new Bill Ivy book has just come out by Mick Walker, must get.
Also Julian Ryders books are usually good, but obviously not so nostalgic. I think he did Colin Edwards book, that was a good un to.!!

Both of the Colin Seeley books are brilliantly researched, written and produced - they're nice and big too, so the pics are particularly impressive.

Edited by Russell Burrows, 09 June 2009 - 19:05.

Completely agree with the Jon Ekerold book. It's a belter, really captures the time.
Any of the 1970s Motocourses are excellent too, back when the book itself almost had a voice in the world of racing.
Of the Barry Sheene books, the Harris/Parrish book is my favourite.
Not so wonderful are most of the other "autobiographies" (Reynolds/Walker/Haslam/Slight etc) although Jim Whitham's is an absolutely cracking read. Just like he was narrating it to you. Couldn't put it down.
Also the Bill Ivy is excellent. From an era well before my time as well.

For the pictures, all of the Stephen Davison books are superb.

I know it's being picky but most racers' books contain some howling typos, mainly riders names and even circuit names. Guess it's just my detail side coming out, as it really bugs me.

PS This SIL 1974 book. Is it available at all?

Edited by bobness, 09 June 2009 - 19:05.

Completely agree with the Jon Ekerold book. It's a belter, really captures the time.
Any of the 1970s Motocourses are excellent too, back when the book itself almost had a voice in the world of racing.
Of the Barry Sheene books, the Harris/Parrish book is my favourite.
Not so wonderful are most of the other "autobiographies" (Reynolds/Walker/Haslam/Slight etc) although Jim Whitham's is an absolutely cracking read. Just like he was narrating it to you. Couldn't put it down.
Also the Bill Ivy is excellent. From an era well before my time as well.

For the pictures, all of the Stephen Davison books are superb.

I know it's being picky but most racers' books contain some howling typos, mainly riders names and even circuit names. Guess it's just my detail side coming out, as it really bugs me.

Yep I have the Northwest 200 book a real cracker!!
I preferred the Barry Sheene book by Michael Scott of a couple of years a go (I provided the pics of Sheenes Daytona crash, well the DVD that they are from) got a free book for that.
Just checked & the Colin Edwards book is by Bertie Simmons. Well worth having.
Joey Dunlop by Mac Macdiarmad is excellent too!! full of pics a quality item.

Completely agree with the Jon Ekerold book. It's a belter, really captures the time.
Any of the 1970s Motocourses are excellent too, back when the book itself almost had a voice in the world of racing.
Of the Barry Sheene books, the Harris/Parrish book is my favourite.
Not so wonderful are most of the other "autobiographies" (Reynolds/Walker/Haslam/Slight etc) although Jim Whitham's is an absolutely cracking read. Just like he was narrating it to you. Couldn't put it down.
Also the Bill Ivy is excellent. From an era well before my time as well.

For the pictures, all of the Stephen Davison books are superb.

I know it's being picky but most racers' books contain some howling typos, mainly riders names and even circuit names. Guess it's just my detail side coming out, as it really bugs me.

PS This SIL 1974 book. Is it available at all?

Occasionaly crops up on ebay Bob. Well worth getting, I have had mine from new, its a bit misleading though coz it reviews the 1972 & 1973 seasons not 1974.

hallo all,

Some of my books that are good:

If you want to build any bike: The racing motorcycle 1&2 by john Bradley.
Briljant pictures: Pitwalk photo collection by Nobuya Yoshimura
Team suzuki by Roy Battersby
Ballington unkorked
World champion road racer by Bill Lomas
Kawasaki racers by Ian Falloon
Motorcycle racer tests by Alan Cathcart
Winning Motorcycle engines by Vic Willoughby
John Britten by Tim Hanna
Honda 500 GP motorcycle wins by Mat Oxley
Yamaha all factory and production two strokes from 1955 to 1993

Cheers and best whishes to all on this forum
Remco

Where can i find Jon Ekrolds book?

Edited by littlemono82, 09 June 2009 - 21:44.

World champion road racer by Bill Lomas

I have this book and it's a great read...

I have this book and it's a great read...

Twinny, any idea where I can get a copy of Bill Lomas´s book? It´s been highly recommended by several people .

Edited by ex Rhodie racer, 09 June 2009 - 22:30.

I wrote a feature on this very subject a couple of years ago: here's the link: http://superbikeplan...Jan/080107b.htm
It's a list of books I thought you really needed to have on your shelves. Looking at it again, i see that i was trying to build a reference library that would cover as many aspects as possible of racing over the last 60 years. That meant well researched marque histories like Team Suzuki plus key biographies that are actually worth reading - usually because they're written by a good writer.
If i was writing it now, I would be tempted to add Jim Whitham's biography. One editor who published this added the magnificent photo books American Racer. Quite honestly, anything by Vic Willoughby could be on the list as could just about anything by Michael Scott.

Edited by jules ryder, 10 June 2009 - 06:47.

I wrote a feature on this very subject a couple of years ago: here's the link: http://superbikeplan...Jan/080107b.htm
It's a list of books I thought you really needed to have on your shelves. Looking at it again, i see that i was trying to build a reference library that would cover as many aspects as possible of racing over the last 60 years. That meant well researched marque histories like Team Suzuki plus key biographies that are actually worth reading - usually because they're written by a good writer.
If i was writing it now, I would be tempted to add Jim Whitham's biography. One editor who published this added the magnificent photo books American Racer. Quite honestly, anything by Vic Willoughby could be on the list as could just about anything by Michael Scott.

Hi Julian. Haven´t seen you post on here before, so a big welcome to you. I´m sure the lads will be chuffed to have your insights on the many subjects discussed on here.

Edited by ex Rhodie racer, 10 June 2009 - 07:24.

Twinny, any idea where I can get a copy of Bill Lomas´s book?

I've just checked and amazon.co.uk have it in stock, but I'm not sure how much help that is to you...

...just about anything by Michael Scott.

I'll second that and also Julian's choice of Mat Oxley's books on Rossi. Actually I have a few of those on the list, including Julian's SBK history.

Meanwhile I now have an urge to read Whit's autobiography, so I might just be back off to Amazon...

Jarno Saarinen by Klaas Tjassens (spelling?) a quality quality book!!, Supermac Phil McCallen biography is very good too. Niall Mackenzie book very readable and amusing also.
Must get the Whitham book now!!
Back to Julians books, great stuff on WSB racing.

Jarno Saarinen by Klaas Tjassens (spelling?) a quality quality book!!, Supermac Phil McCallen biography is very good too. Niall Mackenzie book very readable and amusing also.
Must get the Whitham book now!!
Back to Julians books, great stuff on WSB racing.

Got to disagree about the Saarinen book. It's a badly translated fan book. Nice pics though.
J

I'm currently reading Mick Walker's new book on Bill Ivy, and it's not bad. I also have his Mike Hailwood and Geoff Duke books. I can't say I find the writing as good as I'd hoped. It certainly seems a bit of a 'cut & paste' read from the magazines of the day and lists of statistics can seem a bit dull. However the Bill Ivy book is a million miles better than the Alan Peck book.

Both of the Colin Seeley books are a tremebdous read, extremely well laid out, an absolute joy.

Jim Redman's autobiography was excellent as was Mike Duff's MAKE HASTE SLOWLY.

Least liked? Probable FOGGY. He didn't come across as a likeable person and that had a big effect on how I enjoyed the book.

Jim Redman's autobiography was excellent

Despite the author´s woeful lack of writing skills, I did enjoy Jim´s book, as his tale is quite riveting. What I did find a bit unfortunate however, was his unreserved disclosure of his family affairs, and his very public humiliation of his brother, which left Peter´s reputation in tatters.
I´ve always liked and respected Jim, but that was way below the belt, and totally uncalled for IMO.

Got to disagree about the Saarinen book. It's a badly translated fan book. Nice pics though.
J

We will have to agree to disagree,

Quite a few that were mentioned are among my favorites.

One of the best biographies I've read is : You don't know the half of it by Aaron Slight. Amusing stories about John Kocinsky and about his own remakable fight for a comeback after brain surgery.

Some others:
Mann of his time (about DIck Mann) by Ed Youngblood. These dirt track riders were suerely as toough as the GP riders in the sixties
Australian M/C heritage by Jim Scaysbrook
The Castrol 6 hour productionrace by Jim Scaysbrook (a very important race for the Japanese factories in the seventies). Even Kocinsky once took part with a Yam FZ750
Champions du monde en blue. A Gauloises publication with nice pics of Pons, Sarron and Olivier Jacque
Jack Middelburg Te snel aan de finish (by ao Henk Keulemans, longest serving GP photographer), some vy funny stories about this Dutchman who hhad a lot setbacks but never lost his sense of humour
Grand National by Joe Scalzo.
plus a dozen or others
such as the Legend of Yoshimura (subtitle: I've got the power")

Regards
Dick
L' année motocycliste was also a nice serie of m/c annuals in the sixties/seventies, later renamed L' année moto

One of the best biographies I've read is : You don't know the half of it by Aaron Slight. Amusing stories about John Kocinsky and about his own remakable fight for a comeback after brain surgery.

Correction: the word "amusing" does not apply to the story about his remarkable fight for a comeback

Despite the author´s woeful lack of writing skills, I did enjoy Jim´s book, as his tale is quite riveting. What I did find a bit unfortunate however, was his unreserved disclosure of his family affairs, and his very public humiliation of his brother, which left Peter´s reputation in tatters.
I´ve always liked and respected Jim, but that was way below the belt, and totally uncalled for IMO.

Well it's been a long while since I read the book and I don't recall that at all. He certainly seemed a 'Jack-the-Lad' sort in his business dealings. I think I may well re-read it to see what I missed.

I tend to agree Rhodie, but if it has bugged Jim all these years there may have been a cathartic element in getting it off his chest and into print... and where else but his autobiography ? Still a great read from a groundbreaking pro who continues to dazzle us to this day.


Edit : Littlemono, the Yamaha roadracing two-strokes book is by Colin MacKellar.

Also worth adding to the list, for differing reasons... Top Dead Center, by Kevin Cameron
and Leanings, by Peter Egan.

Edited by GD66, 11 June 2009 - 10:13.

I find the Scaysbrook stuff disappointing. It promises a lot and has great potential but lacks the real nitty gritty details to really finish the job properly.

For some reason I believe a new book on the GP's recently has been published ?

I have long been looking for books on older bike racing. The most useful I have found so far are:
Those published by Geoff Davison's TT company eg Road racing 1949, a Million Miles of Racing, Short Circuit and so on. Ted Mellor's book has brilliant
The Motor Cycling Yearbooks 1950 to about 1961
Motociclismi Annuario (I think) 1957 ish to 1967 ish
Where did the big black book author get his stats from ?

And where are the complete WC results on road racing ?

I really didn't enjoy the Mat Oxley book STEALING SPEED one little bit. His toe curling use of the English language and his phraseology would do a Sun reporter proud. A great story spoilt IMO.

And where are the complete WC results on road racing ?

1949 - 2008 ............ Click

And on Vincent Glon's fantastic website ...... Click

Edited by HEMEYLA, 09 July 2009 - 20:02.

Thanks for the link , seems to be a reasonable price ? Who has this book and can say some words about it , because I remember mailing the FIM some time ago , they telling me the results was only top 6 where possible ? Not even top 10 ! ????

And , yes Vincent's site is very good !

Still however you dont get the full picture when its only points finishes. How many time did they finish without points etc. ?

Edited by Bjørn Kjer, 09 July 2009 - 20:10.

I don't have the book Bjørn, only race results of interest for the FIM are the points for WC.

So from 1948-1969 1-6th, 1970-1987 1-10, 1988-2008 1-15 place.

Dutch magazine MOTOR has complete results from the Assen TT.

Edited by HEMEYLA, 09 July 2009 - 20:54.

Sorry to go O/T, Ton, how do you change the link URL to 'Click' ?

Look ...... Click

Edited by HEMEYLA, 10 July 2009 - 01:30.

Look ...... Click

Many thanks Ton, I didn't know about that.

I just got the 5 of Mick Walkers racing motorcycles (not hardbound) books. I think they are very good giving a good view of racing MC's after the war. Especially to the lesser known makes ! Recommended.

MotoGP RESULTS - 1949-2007 GUIDE (FIM)

Who has this book and can say some words about it , because I remember mailing the FIM some time ago , they telling me the results was only top 6 where possible ? Not even top 10 ! ????

Last year, I bought a copy of Werner Haefliger's 2,100 page door-stopper to replace an earlier edition. The book will feel familar to Christian enthusiasts; it's printed on Biblically-thin paper and has the weight of a King James. Containing so little prose, this review will concentrate on its contents.

Whilst my 2008 Edition is called 'MotoGP Results - 1949-2007 Guide' it includes results only for the current 125cm3. 250cm3 and 500cm3/MotoGP classes. Other classes - 50cm3, 80cm3, 350cm3, 750cm3, sidecar - are excluded. From memory, I believe the results for these classes are included in the earlier editions when they were current.

Each Class Section consists of two sub-sections:

Section 1 is a GP by GP result source from (say 1949 to 2007).

• Sketch portrait of the relevant World Champion
• Full listing of the overall World Riders' Championship by Rider, Nationality, Machine and Points scored
• Constructors' Championship results
• Result summary for each individual GP including date, circuit, laps, distance, and the number of Non-qualifiers, Non-starters, Starters, Retirements and Finishers.
• GP results for all points-scorers (e.g. 15 places in MotoGP); Position, Rider Name, Nationaility, Machine, Race time, Race speed together with fastest lap etc.

Section 2 provides the Statistical results for each Class (very useful for commentators):

• Individual results by Rider's Name showing their Position, Race and Year
• The riders with the most WINS in that class (down to those having just one win)
• The riders with the highest number of Successive Wins (down to 2 successive wins)
• Other interesting statistics including Wins by Manufacturer and the full list of winners and machine etc for each event such as the Australian GP from 1989 to 2007)

At the very back of the book is a thin, 88 page section headed '1949-2007 All Classes Rider's Statistics.' This is the only section mentioning the 50cm3, 80cm3, 350cm3 and 750cm3 classes. From here you can learn that the top-scoring manufacturer is Honda with 621 GP wins and that Agostini won the most number of 350cm3 titles (7 of them).

If you're interest is Sidecars then I regret that this book fails to mention them anywhere that I could find.

This is not a cheap book mindful that it becomes out of date as each year passes and Euros 35 is a hefty price to pay for just one year's extra results in three classes. For that reason, I doubt that I shall update my own copy for some years yet.

This book is really a historical reference unless you possess the very latest edition. It also has its limitations such as the absence of certain class data. But on the positive side it is quite compact and is the only book I have found providing this level of detail. If you need to astound your friends with your encyclopaedic knowledge of GP results and statistics, this book is a must have. Finally, you can always argue that the book is an investment. Used copies of older editions are listed on abe.com at up to $US 55.00 (search for Author = Werner Haefliger).

Ray Battersby

Edited by Sergio, 02 August 2009 - 18:57.

Not so much a book from the past, but an early warning (and that could be case in some chapters!) of a book in the future by Graeme Crosby.

He was in town today, visiting his son who is at university. Had the pleasure of meeting up with him and Dennis and Angela Ireland and over coffee and the next hour Croz was at his entertaining best. And that's what he wants his book to be.

It's due out in time for Christmas 2010. He says he's enjoying writing; that's when he's not landscaping and planting his expansive new garden. Yes, Croz the gardener!

He was interested to learn about the forum, and is especially keen to hear from anyone who has interesting pictorial material from his racing days, particularly if there is a story to go with it.

Edited by peterd, 25 August 2009 - 11:53.

Not so much a book from the past, but an early warning (and that could be case in some chapters!) of a book in the future by Graeme Crosby.

He was in town today, visiting his son who is at university. Had the pleasure of meeting up with him and Dennis and Angela Ireland and over coffee and the next hour Croz was at his entertaining best. And that's what he wants his book to be.

It's due out in time for Christmas 2010. He says he's enjoying writing; that's when he not landscaping and planting his expansive new garden. Yes, Croz the gardener!

He was interested to learn about the forum, and is especially keen to hear from anyone who has interesting pictorial material from his racing days, particularly if there is a story to go with it.

Wow , thats wonderful news , a great guy , and a great rider . Had the pleasure of sharing a beer with him on a couple of occasions
Success never seemed to change him . , I named my son after him ....................... no not Crosby

Not a book but a website with some interesting info about GP results in PDF format, raceresults - startnumbers - startgrid placings - fastest laps.

Click

An interesting site, but the results only seem to go up to 1974 - or did I miss something?

P.S. I will be adding details of the books I have at some point...

When selecting a rider it go up further ..... Click.

In some races more results than the points finishers !

Here is another website with pictures around 1970 : http://race-photos.online.de

PS. Mentioned on the TNF.

Edited by Bjørn Kjer, 26 August 2009 - 06:53.

Would like to draw attention to, what I think is a great book: Kawasaki Trois Cylindres - Deux Temps - Une Légende by Eric Breton. Published by Editions LaRiviere (some years ago)

This book has for those with interest in the subject but not fluent in French one (and only one) drawback: the language.

But ít's a tremendous book: 320 pages of which about 200 about the race bikes, hundreds of pics, detailed information. Brits: don't worry: Grant and Ditchburn anre not forgotten, nor is John Williams, Dave Simmonds etc.

I will try to make some reasonable scans, and to upload them, but it's impossible to gvie a good impression of the books with just a few pictures. You should see it, or if you are a kind of fan(anatic): you won't regret buying it

(Just saw one for sale on Ebay Italy)

DH
Holland

Would like to draw attention to, what I think is a great book: Kawasaki Trois Cylindres - Deux Temps - Une Légende by Eric Breton. Published by Editions LaRiviere (some years ago)

This book has for those with interest in the subject but not fluent in French one (and only one) drawback: the language.

But ít's a tremendous book: 320 pages of which about 200 about the race bikes, hundreds of pics, detailed information. Brits: don't worry: Grant and Ditchburn anre not forgotten, nor is John Williams, Dave Simmonds etc.

I will try to make some reasonable scans, and to upload them, but it's impossible to gvie a good impression of the books with just a few pictures. You should see it, or if you are a kind of fan(anatic): you won't regret buying it

(Just saw one for sale on Ebay Italy)

DH
Holland

Thanks DH

I'll look out for that as my French isn't bad! I know a buggered bougie when I see one


David

PS This SIL 1974 book. Is it available at all?

There is a German language edition of this available on eBay right now - search for item 130340991578.

There is a German language edition of this available on eBay right now - search for item 130340991578.

I must admit that some of the books listed above seem to me to be badly written and shoddy stuff - OK for an 8 year old who has seen BSB on the TV but that's about it. For the serious enthusiast, I agree that Amercian Racer, Ray Battersby's Team Suzuki and Colin Seeley's stuff are all excellent.

Also try the Italian language books by the ex Gilera/Ferrari engineer Sandro Colombo, namely GIlera Quattro, Moto Guzzi da corsa (two volumes) and his history of the Lario TT 1921 to 1939.
In French, try L'epopee Moto: Les annees Jules Tacheny - based on the career of Belgium's Tacheny, star of the FN team of the 1930s but wide ranging review of racing in Belgium pre War.
In Spanish with some English, try Montjuic - what it says on the tin.
In Czech, go for 100 years of Czech Motorcycle Sport (with limited English text) - wonderful photos of Jawas, CZ etc
For those English readers with limited linguistic skills, all are wonderfully illustrated.

All these books put some of the English language publications to shame. Apart from the Ekerold, Duke and Lomas books, most autobiographies might as well go straight into the WPB. Badly written, infantile fairy tales.

I really didn't enjoy the Mat Oxley book STEALING SPEED one little bit. His toe curling use of the English language and his phraseology would do a Sun reporter proud. A great story spoilt IMO.

Couldn't agree more.

I am more frequently lurking on TNF but pop over here from time to time, and very good it is too. I have just been reading about the unfortunate Cal Rayborn which brought back sad memories I thought I had forgotten of what I saw that day at Pukekohe . . .

Can anyone point me in the direction of any books that cover pre-war motorcycle racing, perhaps in the way Chris Nixons Racing the Silver Arrows does for cars ?

I’ve been meaning to share a list of the books I have, but it might take some time to get done. I am a relatively recent convert to bike racing, but I am an avid student of the subject and have been collecting books for a few years. Let me start with the yearbooks.

Obviously Motocourse first of all. I’ve had some of the recent ones from new, but most of mine are clearly second hand, which means a few that are a bit damaged, and a couple that have no cover:
Motocourse 1976-77 and
Motocourse 1979-80 through to 2008-2009
also Motocourse 50 Years, TT 1907-1989 and The Grand Prix Riders
-- still looking for affordable copies of 1977-78 and 1978-79....

For earlier seasons (than 1979) I have:
Motor Cycle Racing Guide 1974 (see above, covering 1972 and 1973)*
Motorcycle Year 1975 / 1976*
Motorcycle Year 1976-1977*
In German, Motorrad Weltmeisteschaft for 1974, 77, 78
Motor Cycle News Yearbook editions covering 1976 to 1979 seasons*
* including other branches of motorcycle sport and not just road racing
and of course Grand Prix Motorcycle Championships of the World 1949-1975 (I) - top six GP results

Not finished there:
Rothmans Grand Prix Motorcycle Yearbook for 1986/87/88 seasons, including major and plenty of UK championship data
Motorcycle Grand Prix Year for seasons 1986/87/88/89/90 (last one MCN), written by Michael Scott before joining Motocourse
Superbike 1990 and Superbike 1991 (not the same as the Italian produced SBK yearbooks of more recent times)
a couple of photographic Grand Prix yearbooks - 1990 and 1991
IRTA Grand Prix Yearbook for seasons 1991/92/93
and some of those later Superbike annuals.

More later

Edited by subh, 17 November 2009 - 20:34.

THE 500cc WORLD CHAMPIONS by Michael Scott (Haynes) - a really enjoyable book mostly about riders I knew little about. Michael Scott's writing style just suits me down to the ground, so I must search out other books by this author.

THE 500cc WORLD CHAMPIONS by Michael Scott (Haynes) - a really enjoyable book mostly about riders I knew little about. Michael Scott's writing style just suits me down to the ground, so I must search out other books by this author.

Agreed, and I have a few of his titles in my collection - I’ll list them for you later. If you are interested in the specific seasons, I would particularly recommend the reports and essays in his GP yearbooks (mentioned above). Some options for you here:
http://shop.ebay.co....5...op=15&_sc=1

His other books include titles on Barry Sheene, Freddie Spencer, Wayne Rainey, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki.

Edited by subh, 18 November 2009 - 10:04.

Titles authored by Michael Scott that I have are these:

Barry Sheene: A Will To Win (1983) - which I think has been updated or superseded in glossy/photographic format
Kimberley’s Grand Prix Bike Team Guide No. 1: Yamaha (1986)
Kimberley’s Grand Prix Bike Team Guide No. 2: Honda (1986)
- both of the above being 26 pages only, but well illustrated with photos
The Champions: Freddie Spencer (1987)
Grand Prix Suzuki (1995) - behind the scenes photography by Chris Bennett, text by MS
Wayne Rainey: His own story (1997)
The 500cc World Champions (2002) - another one that has been updated to include Hayden and Stoner, and presumably much more about Mr Rossi
Grand Prix Year and Motocourse (as covered above)

There is also The World’s Fastest Motorcycles by MS and John Cutts, which I haven’t seen.

You didn’t ask, but he also wrote a chapter on the GP machines of 1988 in the Rothmans Grand Prix Motorcycle Yearbook 1988-89, and contributes to at least one edition of the IRTA Grand Prix Yearbook....

My books.