Paul Parker

Publication: Out Now, RRP: £30.00, Format: Hardback, ISBN: 978 1 84425 400 2

The 1960s was the decade of greatest change for motorsport as the pursuit of speed and reliability combined with advancing technology gradually took effect.

Sports car racing attracted the most eclectic selection of machinery seen in any form of racing driven by everybody from the greatest F1 aces to amateur club racers. It made for quite a mix. The era began with the dying days of Aston Martin and Jaguar, the iconic Ferrari Testa Rossas, unique 'Birdcage' Maseratis, Porsche 718s et al and ended with the fearsome Porsche 917.

The world of sports car racing in the 1960s springs to life in this book through stunning full-colour period photography and the author's well-observed commentary. From the harsh airfield concrete of Sebring, the treacherous Sicilian country roads of the Targa Florio, the infinite corners, hidden apexes and never ending crests of the Nürburgring, the banked Daytona and frightening Monza bowl and the aircraft velocities of Spa, Le Mans and Reims, all had to be overcome.

The decade belonged to Ferrari, Ford and Porsche with others notably Chaparral, Lola and later Alfa Romeo, Matra and Gulf Mirage joining in. However, a huge cast of non-factory teams in a wide range of machinery and legions of drivers of all nationalities graced a typical grid, affirming this as one of the most fascinating and diverse decades in motor racing, all of which is brought together in this sumptuous book.

Paul Parker is a freelance writer who has contributed to Octane, Motor Sport, Autosport, Classic Cars, Forza!, Jaguar World Monthly and the Daily Telegraph.

He also track tests historic racing cars, has raced a Lister Jaguar and is the author of Jaguar at Le Mans 1950-1995, F1 in Camera 1970-79, F1 in Camera 1960-69 and Sixties Motor Racing with Michael Cooper.