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Autodrome - The lost race circuits of Europe
By S.S. Collins and Gavin D. Ireland

   


Verlag:Veloce Publishing Ltd
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ISBN : 1-904788-32-9


In Deutschland auch über http://www.maacc.de zu beziehen.

Quote:Features
A beautiful book
A nostalgic look at Europe's 'lost' motor racing venues in their heydays and ... and as they are today ...
Stunning original photography of every circuit by new name Gavin D. Ireland
Track diagrams show the evolution of the circuits
Many period photographs and period memorabilia illustrations such as programme covers/event posters
Haunting images capture the spirit of forgotten venues
Many of the ‘lost' circuits are under threat: the book includes details of campaigns to save them

Description
A look at the history of nine of Europe's great abandoned race circuits – and seen as they are today in stunning photographs.

Synopsis
Around Europe lie a number of long forgotten monuments, wind swept and abandoned the derelict buildings and crumbling tarmac are all that remains of once great motor racing circuits. From the great speed bowls of Monza and Brooklands, to the parkland of Crystal Palace. All photographed as they are now but remembered in their prime.

Independent Reviews
Autodrome : by S S Collins and Gavin D Ireland

Review by Tony Mantle of the British Racing Mechanics Club

Subtitled “The lost race circuits of Europe” this book has plenty to go at. Immediate candidates that came to mind were Crystal Palace, Montlhery, Rheims, Rouen and Solitude. The first three are covered by the book and valid arguments against including the other two appear in the introduction.

First candidate is Brooklands which you might think has been covered in depth by many others but author Collins has given an illuminating view of the circuit from conception to present day enhanced with clear drawings of the various layouts used and numerous superb LAT period photographs which I hadn’t seen before. These are supplemented by a dozen or so recent colour images by photographer Gavin D Ireland which accurately convey the spirit of the place although the reported ghostly spirits themselves are not apparent.

Rheims is familiar to many of us and here Ireland’s colour photographs of the current state of the area and its tribunes capture the eerie and desolate nature of the place exactly as I remember it from a few years ago. Collins’ text is informative and the period photographs jog the memory. The book’s cover photo is sunset seen through the Rheims grandstand.

Monza’s banked circuit is justifiably described in reverent tones, “a remnant of a bygone era when it was plainly dangerous, today it is simply daunting”. The Monzanapolis races of 1957 and ’58 using a combined road/high speed circuit were amongst the last to use the banking – this attempt to combine European F1 with Indianapolis being highly unpopular with the F1 constructors and drivers although the circuit’s toll of drivers was not added to at these events. It remains today mainly intact, Ireland’s colour photographs will take you there.

Avus, Nurburgring Sudschleife, Masarykring (now Brno) and Keimola complete the list of nine circuits covered with the last-named being the most fascinating. The circuit is in a forest just outside Helsinki and must be the most obscure of circuits ever to have hosted international meetings. The 2 mile raceway was conceived, designed and built by Curt Lincoln, Finland’s leading race driver of the 1950’s. It opened in 1966 and operated until 1978 with F2 and Interserie as the most high profile events, the legendary Leo Kinnunen plus 917 being almost unbeatable there. The inaugural F2 race is recorded as having been won by Brabham from Hulme, Clark and Rindt with Brabham averaging just over 88mph for the 35 laps. Collins’ text relates Keimola’s origins, its decline, subsequent abandonment and the current threats to its continuing existence in a most interesting and very readable manner. Ireland’s superb photographs again give the reader the feel of the place and convey an air of frozen desolation that must pervade the area.


Nigel Roebuck has said of Formula One that he can think of no other sport that has such little regard for its heritage, this book details nine sites where titanic battles have occurred, illustrious careers have been created and brave drivers and riders have met their deaths. There are numerous memorials around the edges of these circuits, some on walls and some set into the run off area, Autodrome reminds us that the sites should not be forgotten.

At first glance the cover price (£34.99) tends to put one off the 170 odd page hardback production but closer examination reveals a most enjoyable and informative book with photographs of the very highest quality. If there were to be any criticism it would be the lack of captions to Ireland’s images but, this apart, the book represents excellent value and could have been written with BRMC members in mind, it should be on every member’s Christmas wish list

In der neuesten Motor Klassik (01/2006) ist ein Bericht über das Buch.A