Tt Talking The Tt S Most Exciting Era

The 2007 centenary of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy launched the TT into a new era of success. In this book, Charlie Lambert – Manx Radio TT’s lead commentator – tells the story of this sensational upturn, from his own role behind the microphone, to the pressures, controversies, laughs and sadness that go with being the man at the heart of the world’s most famous motorcycle road race.

Until now, Gary Hocking was the only World Motorcycle Champion of his era without a book dedicated to his life. This book reveals Gary’s life in Rhodesia, how he was helped to become a World Champion, his dedication, and retirement at a young age – and the accident that cost him his life.

Few people have been as deeply involved in motorcycle sport as Chris Carter, a larger than life character and raconteur who was for a great number of years a journalist, commentator and broadcaster at the very top level of motorcycle sport. This memoir is a funny, fascinating and unique insider view of professional motorcycling over more than six decades. From scrambling in the 1960s, to four decades of international road racing - including Daytona and Macau - as well as trials and speedway. Packed with remarkable stories and amusing anecdotes, as well as interesting reflections and astute observations, it is a light-hearted, highly readable autobiography which lifts the lid on an extraordinary world. In past times, racing paddocks were open and friendly, and Chris felt part of a big, happy family. He lived cheek by jowl with the very top riders and shared their triumphs and tragedies; to many, he was a friend and confidante. Honest, frank and direct, Chris tells things exactly as they were, and provides insights into a fast disappearing world.

100 heroes from almost 100 years of motor sport are covered in this book. Revealing the determination, heroism, raw courage, skill at the wheel – and just plain humanity – that has elevated men and women into the special, rarified atmosphere of heroism.

This book covers the background, conception, design, production and aftermath of the iconic Ferrari 288 GTO, including the prototypes, the early production cars, the mainstream production cars in their various specification guises, and the Evolution cars planned for the aborted Group B FIA race series. It features over 400 relevant photographs, from original production images to the cars as they are today, including the 1984 Geneva Salon where the car debuted, the first ever GTO Reunion in 1985, current salon and action images, right up to the 25th Anniversary Ferrari 288 GTO Reunion held in America in 2009. Also featured are the actual factory production approval sheets, as filed with the Italian government, in an illustrated technical drawing form, along with a chassis by chassis register of every 288 GTO built, including destroyed prototypes, production cars, and GTO Evoluziones – in fact all 284 cars ever built.

This book includes some of the greats of the scrambling world – Dave Bickers, John Banks, Rob Taylor – and others not, perhaps, quite so well known. From the hard-riding Devon farmer John Trible, Gloucester ace Tommy Barker, and Six Days trials star Eric Chilton, to the last ever interview with Olga Kevelos, a true star.

Revealing the definitive history of the entire Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen series. Including SWB and LWB cars, station wagons, vans and convertibles, and with an overview of all the models sold in each of the world's major markets, this book is packed full of information and contemporary illustrations sourced directly from the Stuttgart factory.