The Quest for Speed — Modern Racing Car Design and Technology, by Alan Henry. Patrick Stephens Ltd, £17.99.
Formula One, Indy and sports cars have developed so drastically in recent years that even those who follow modern racing closely can be confused about the advanced technology involved. Here is a chance to have it explained to you, by the motor racing correspondent of The Guardian, who served his apprenticeship with Motoring News. In chapters about chassis design, aerodynamics, F1 engines, suspension, F1 transmissions, data logging and similar techniques applied to Indy and sports/racing cars, Alan Henry brings the student up to date with today’s racing cars. In the final chapter he poses the question of what comes next for competition cars?
In an economy of words and adequate pictures he covers such innovations as active suspension, semi-automatic transmissions, auto clutch control and engine data recording in the pits. Pertinent quotes by top engineers and others are used to endorse the author’s explanations and descriptions. An up-to-the-minute book which makes the modern racing car easier to understand and appreciate.
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