20 replies to this topic

[R.S.Garritty]

Hi.

On You Tube there's a snippet of a Frank Gardner documentary produced by Castrol on his season in the 1973 British Touring Car Championship driving the Chevy Camaro. Does anyone know if this documentary is available to purchase anywhere, either on DVD or VHS ?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ryan

[Leigh Trevail]

I assume you are refering to 'Racecraft', which includes Drag on a Summers Day. I have a copy on video which I purchaced yonks ago from Duke Marketing. Worth every penny!

[R.S.Garritty]

Yes, that's exactly what I'm looking for.

I've just been to Duke Marketing's website and found they had three in stock ( VHS ) so I've put in an order.

Thanks for your help Leigh, it's much appreciated.

Ryan

[Vitesse2]

There was also a book associated with this film which was called "The Castrol Racing Driver's Manual". It now seems to be rarer than rocking horse sh*t, with none available on either ABE or Amazon.

"My" copy is at least 36 years overdue back at my school library .....

[rwills]

There was also a book associated with this film which was called "The Castrol Racing Driver's Manual". It now seems to be rarer than rocking horse sh*t, with none available on either ABE or Amazon.

"My" copy is at least 36 years overdue back at my school library .....

One on Ebay now. Well worth having on the bookshelf....

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...f#ht_500wt_1182

[R.S.Garritty]

You won't find a copy of that book on ABE since I bought the last one about a week ago from Oz ! Hoping it'll plop throught the letterbox sometime very soon.

Received the Racecraft vid' from Duke this morning and really enjoyed it. Gonna have another watch in a bit. The fifteen minute drag racing film was also a treat, with the cameraman spending a lot of the time filming assorted ladies' t and a.

[philippe charuest]

There was also a book associated with this film which was called "The Castrol Racing Driver's Manual". It now seems to be rarer than rocking horse sh*t, with none available on either ABE or Amazon.

"My" copy is at least 36 years overdue back at my school library .....

the book was translated and publish in french by Marabout a well known belgian pocket book editor then . with the title "pilote de course ,les ficelles du metier" my bible when i was a teen

[PonysiteEd]

There is at least one copy of the Castrol Drivers book left on this world - From Auckland/NZ take the ferry to that small tourist sightseeing village (I forgot the name), there is a antique bookshop on the corner. I saw it there on the shelve with a personal remark of a son or a daughter to his/her Dad on page 1 - last year. I did not buy the book there, but regret it today:) Go find it. Internet makes it possible.

[fredeuce]

I managed to pick up a mint copy of Frank's little tome for a sensible $20.00 Aus. last weekend at the Mega Toy Fair in Adelaide.

Having just looked on ebay I near fell off my chair to see the prices that they asking for this book. Are they really pulling those sorts of prices?

About half way through and a very enjoyable read. There are some interesting technical terms that Frank invented.Can anyone translate what a "split-arse frightening lap" is ? Clearly Frank was his own man.

http://catalog.ebay....d=p3286.c0.m505

Edited by fredeuce, 17 June 2010 - 10:28.

[Alan Cox]

I managed to pick up a mint copy of Frank's little tome for a sensible $20.00 Aus. last weekend at the Mega Toy Fair in Adelaide.
Having just looked on ebay I near fell off my chair to see the prices that they asking for this book. Are they really pulling those sorts of prices?

A number available for sensible money on Abebooks. http://www.abebooks....e...&tn=castrol
Who are the people who pay barmy money for books? See the recent thread on Paul Parker's "Formula 1 in camera 1960-1969"

[275 GTB-4]

There is at least one copy of the Castrol Drivers book left on this world - From Auckland/NZ take the ferry to that small tourist sightseeing village (I forgot the name), there is a antique bookshop on the corner. I saw it there on the shelve with a personal remark of a son or a daughter to his/her Dad on page 1 - last year. I did not buy the book there, but regret it today:) Go find it. Internet makes it possible.

Ummmmmmm Picton??? Russell???

[David McKinney]

Don't know of any ferry service from Auckland to either Picton or Russell

Possibly Waiheke Island - unless Devonport has got more "touristy" since the last time I looked

Edited by David McKinney, 17 June 2010 - 12:26.

[Tony Matthews]

Possibly Waiheke Island - unless Devonport has got more "touristy" since the last time I looked

I remember an interesting little book shop in Devonport, but neither its name nor exact location.

[Prototype]

"There are some interesting technical terms that Frank invented.Can anyone translate what a "split-arse frightening lap" is ?"

Frank is very clearly saying her that the lap is so frightening or the result of that frightening lap could be that it could split your arse - very painful.

He also says in the book regarding burns, he'd rather be picking rose thorns out of his arse for month, than being burnt - I remember reading this to my parents in 1974 and we laughed and laughed; boy o boy do we miss him!

[Vitesse2]

Can anyone translate what a "split-arse frightening lap" is ?

A brown trousers moment?

[ellrosso]

I think it's probably related to the OZ saying "bust your arse" than a brown trousers moment. Luckily I inherited my Gardner manual from my brother in law - in about 4 pieces but still very readable.

[GD66]

Split-arse used to be a slang saying for a girl some years ago...

[markpde]

"There are some interesting technical terms that Frank invented.Can anyone translate what a "split-arse frightening lap" is ?"

Frank is very clearly saying her that the lap is so frightening or the result of that frightening lap could be that it could split your arse - very painful.

He also says in the book regarding burns, he'd rather be picking rose thorns out of his arse for month, than being burnt - I remember reading this to my parents in 1974 and we laughed and laughed; boy o boy do we miss him!

Also regarding burns, I remember he said you couldn't hold a tea cup with burnt hands, and yet he never wore gloves. I've never heard the word 'eccentric' used about old Frank (maybe I just haven't been listening), but when you think about it, he was - a genuine eccentric.

I had a copy of the Castrol Racing Drivers Manual but I lent it to someone and never got it back. No worries, though - I read it so often I think it's still in my head.

[rwills]

There is at least one copy of the Castrol Drivers book left on this world - From Auckland/NZ take the ferry to that small tourist sightseeing village (I forgot the name), there is a antique bookshop on the corner. I saw it there on the shelve with a personal remark of a son or a daughter to his/her Dad on page 1 - last year. I did not buy the book there, but regret it today:) Go find it. Internet makes it possible.

http://www.vintagebookshop.co.nz/

Great shop in Devonport Auckland. I'm sure this is the one you mention. They always have some great stuff and I make a visit across there whenever I am home in NZ.

Most of their stuff is on abebooks I think - the manager told me this when I was home in January.

[alansart]

I had a copy of the Castrol Racing Drivers Manual but I lent it to someone and never got it back. No worries, though - I read it so often I think it's still in my head.

I lost my copy the same way. I still think it's one of the best books on racing. I'd love to read it again

[Tony Matthews]

http://www.vintagebookshop.co.nz/
Great shop in Devonport Auckland. I'm sure this is the one you mention.

I remember an interesting little book shop in Devonport, but neither its name nor exact location.

That's the one I spent time in on a couple of occasions!