We enjoy most forms of motor sport at Rickaro Books and indeed offer some small support for Fastline Superbikes of Preston who run Bobby Varey on a TZ 250cc Yamaha in Club 59 events at circuits around the country.
On this note our stock contains interesting published items from all periods and forms of the sport and we particularly appreciate signed or association items. So here is a small selection of what we consider fascinating, if sometimes unexpected, material relating to significant figures across the range and times of both two and four wheeled racing. They are not always listed on our sites so do contact us about any that may be of interest.
So we start with the earliest days and a presentation copy of a book by a pioneer racer, Charles Jarrott (1877-1944). He raced from 1900 to 1904, winning the 1902 Circuit des Ardennes race and competing in the 1903 and 1904 Gordon Bennett Cup races. This is a 1912 edition of his book, “Ten Years of Motors and Motor Racing”, first published in 1906. It is a presentation copy from the author to a colleague from the “Great War” and dated 1918.
The volume is an enthralling account of the early races and contains splendid photographs of the cars and characters of the period.
It is not just factual writings that some of the heroic figures of the sport produced, but some turn their hands to fiction. One such is Sir Malcolm Campbell (1885-1948). He was of course a racing driver of renown as well as being world speed record on land and water. His land and water vehicles were called “Bluebird” and the tradition was continued by his son Donald. But Sir Malcolm wrote novels for readers who were young at heart, “boys and old boys” and here is a rather interesting presentation copy of one, being his second novel. It has the striking and evocative Roland Davies dust-wrapper artwork.
Tazio Nuvolari (1892-1953): it was Dr Ferdinand Porsche who described Nuvolari as “the greatest driver of the past, the present or the future”. He was arguably the most courageous racer to have ever lived. Whilst it is always difficult to compare eras, it can be claimed that his accomplishments certainly rival that of Fangio, Senna and Schumacher, he is without question the greatest of his era. He was a man of many talents having raced motorcycles as well as cars from 1925 until 1930, when he concentrated on cars, and won the 1932 European Championship. He had a long career racing for Alfa Romeo in Enzo Ferrari’s team and going on to drive the fearsome rear-engined Auto Unions. Well recalled in England for his stirring victory at Donnington in 1938. A perhaps typical exploit was to take place during the 1948 Mille Miglia, Nuvolari’s final one. The bonnet flew off his race car at speed, narrowly missing his head. Nuvolari’s passenger was, understandably, alarmed but Nuvolari calmly stated it would better cool the engine, next however, Nuvolari’s seat came loose, throwing it out he was calmly to continue, until brake failure finally forced him to retire. He was indeed a striking figure in his yellow racing shirt with his TN monogram and tortoise lucky charm .In his later years he was to suffer ill health brought on by the fumes that he had inhaled over the years. Unlike many of his colleagues he was to die in his bed in 1953. He is buried near his home town of Mantua, in the family vault where an inscription reads: Correrai Ancor Più Veloce Per Le Vie Del Cielo ( You will race even faster along the roads of heaven), he requested to be buried in his racing outfit.
Stanley Woods (1903-1993) was an Irish motorcycle racer, who gained fame for riding in the TT races on the Isle of Man. He rode with greatest success with Norton and Moto Guzzi. What is perhaps not so well known is his connection with toffee! He signed this letterhead in 1990.
Whilst perhaps not directly involved with motor sport, T.E. Shaw (Lawrence of Arabia) had a great regard for speed, (“the greatest pleasure of my recent life has been speed on the road”) either on one of his beloved Brough Superior motorcycles, or on the water in Biscayne Baby speedboat “Biscuit” that he used whilst based at Mountbatten.
Here is a note to a fellow aircraftman about a part for the rev counter of the Biscayne Baby (BB) and asking him to either repair it or take this with the other parts to a Plymouth watch dealer S. Davies for repair. An interesting aside: might this be the watch repairer that TE would have taken his own “Omega” wrist chronograph for a service? Do the records of S. Davie exist? A fascinating survival of a small seemingly insignificant note.
New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren (1937-1970) was to drive for Cooper winning a number of Grand Prix before leaving in 1965 to found the still renowned eponymous F1 team McLaren. In 1966 he was to win Le Mans, driving a Ford GT40. The book “From the Cockpit” relates the story of his life. Laid in this particular copy is an original photograph of McLaren driving a number 6 Cooper, c.1962. signed in ink, “To Hilary, Bruce McLaren”, bearing photographer stamps to reverse for Patrick Benjafield (photographer for Autosport). “Hilary” is the wife of Alfred Ben Bigg. Also present are two passes for the British Grand Prix, 21 July 1962 and European Grand Prix, 11 July 1964. An interesting cache of 1960s GP items.
Mike Hailwood (1940-1981) the great “Mike the Bike” was a nine-time world champion, Hailwood won 76 Grand Prix races during his motorcycle racing career, including 14 Isle of Man TT victories and four consecutive 500 cc world championships. After his motorcycle racing career concluded, he went on to compete in Formula One and other classes of car racing, becoming one of the few men to compete at Grand Prix level in both motorcycle and car racing. In addition he was awarded the George Medal for bravery for rescuing Clay Regazonni from a blazing car. Other than that it was winning the 1978 Isle of Man TT after 11 years away from bike racing that Mike Hailwood had perhaps the greatest ever of his many achievements. Here is a nice copy of his book signed at that 1978 TT.
Another great driver who raced from the 1960s having some eight wins and 25 podium finishes in F1, going on to win Le Mans no less than six times is Jacky Ickx. Seen here in a signed photograph at one of his 1960s wins. Still active in the sport and sponsoring Choppard Mille Miglia wrist chronometers.
It is a truth that fine cars and fine watches or perhaps chronographs go together. Timekeeping has always been an integral part of motor sport since the earliest period. With this in mind we recommend two splendid volumes “Time to Race, Watches and Speed, Stories of men and machines” Parts I and II. These are written by Cesare Maria Mannucci and John Goldberger (Auro Montanari) and published by Nuova Esperia Imm s.r.l. They contain information on a host of racing drivers and the watches that they wore. These are heavy weight volumes in all senses, large format and packed with biographical information on the drivers and superb images of them and of the watches they are wearing. These are volumes that any motor sport fan or watch collector will find of great interest.
Time is now up on this particular blog! and the chequered flag falls.