In the name of glory – 1976

In the name of glory – 1976
The greatest ever sporting duel
Tom Rubython

The greatest ever sporting duel? That’s debatable, but James Hunt and Niki Lauda’s fight for the 1976 World Championship definitely didn’t lack in drama, what with the Austrian’s near-fatal crash at the Nürburgring and the rain-soaked title decider at Mount Fuji.

Rubython’s is an entertaining and sensational tale – not hard when Hunt is one of your lead characters – which flows along merrily. It’s well timed too, with shooting on the new Ron Howard film depicting the Hunt-Lauda battle due to continue in February.

John Watson provides a very nice foreword and Rainer Schlegelmilch’s photo selection is well up to the job. Note to the author though: it’s Jacky Ickx, not Jackie! Overall this is a lively read with broad appeal, and fans of Rubython’s previous tomes will no doubt be well satisfied.

Myrtle, ISBN 9780 9565656 93, £14.95