Tales from the Toolbox: A Collection of Behind-the-Scenes Tales from Grand Prix Mechanics

by Michael Oliver

Overview

Tales from the Toolbox is a unique collection of behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes as told, in their own words, by former Grand Prix mechanics who have worked at the top level of the sport during the past 50 years. On the front line of the sport, mixing with drivers and team bosses, they saw a side of it that nobody else got to see and rarely gets to hear about – and this book tells their story. Chapters are themed around a particular aspect of a mechanic's life, ranging from what they consider the highs and lows of their career, to their opinions of drivers and team bosses, the all-nighters, letting off steam, the ‘Mechanic's Gallon,' nightmare journeys and customs capers. It also reveals a tale of camaraderie between teams and individual mechanics which is hard to imagine in today's highly competitive Formula One environment. The stories are supplemented by photographs from the archives and photo albums of the mechanics themselves, many of which are previously unseen.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781845841997
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing
Publication date:	02/15/2010
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Michael Oliver went to his first Formula One race when he was just two weeks old, and contends that he learned to count looking at the number roundels on the sides of racing cars. A professional writer, he has contributed features to a wide range of magazines and websites, including autosport.com, itvf1.com, Motor Sport, Octane, Classic Cars, Vintage Racecar, Victory Lane, Chequered Flag and Motor Racing Australia.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Few books have given us as much enjoyment in recent months as this compilation of tales from the less than glamorous side of motor sport. Buy it!" – Octane

"Chapter themes in this enjoyable paperback range from travel to job risks, with memories of key spanner-men. Pull-out boxes make it easy to dip into ..." – Classic & Sports Car

"This is one of those books you can dip into anywhere … in its plainly-told tales you feel a vibe and a zeitgeist that many weighty histories don't give and which, because of ever higher technologies and regulations, is probably gone for ever." – Classic Cars
 "A brilliant read, this is a book that you'll keep dipping into." – Club Lotus News

"Buy this immensely entertaining book and help out a very worthy cause in the process." – Vintage Racecar
 "A fascinating insight into a part of the world of motor racing that is usually hidden behind garage doors." – The Marshal
 "This is the most absorbing motorsport 'inside story' book to be published in a long time." – Speed Scene
 "This small format book packs so much into its 172 pages. It's a real winner." – New Zealand Classic Car

"The photos, many of which come from the mechanics' personal collections, are not only priceless, but properly capture the moments and tales told by the crew members. This book is a must for all racing fans" – autoracinghistory.com

"It's a cracker: and 40% of all royalties go to the Grand Prix Mechanic's Charitable Trust. A softback bargain. Read it." – Southern Car Club

Editorial Reviews

"Few books have given us as much enjoyment in recent months as this compilation of tales from the less than glamorous side of motor sport. Buy it!" – Octane "Chapter themes in this enjoyable paperback range from travel to job risks, with memories of key spanner-men. Pull-out boxes make it easy to dip into ..." – Classic Sports Car

"This is one of those books you can dip into anywhere ... in its plainly-told tales you feel a vibe and a zeitgeist that many weighty histories don't give and which, because of ever higher technologies and regulations, is probably gone for ever." – Classic Cars "A brilliant read, this is a book that you'll keep dipping into." – Club Lotus News

"Buy this immensely entertaining book and help out a very worthy cause in the process." – Vintage Racecar

"A fascinating insight into a part of the world of motor racing that is usually hidden behind garage doors." – The Marshal

"This is the most absorbing motorsport 'inside story' book to be published in a long time." – Speed Scene

"This small format book packs so much into its 172 pages. It's a real winner." – New Zealand Classic Car

From the Publisher