Auto Racing in the Shadow of the Great War - by Robert Dick (Paperback)

About the Book

"From 1915 Through the Early 1920s, American Auto Racing experienced rapid and exciting change. Competition by European vehicles forced American car manufacturers to incorporate new features, resulting in legendary engineering triumphs (and, essentially, works of art). Some of the greatest drivers in racing were active during this time--Ralph DePalma, Dario Resta, Eddie Rickenbacker, Chevrolet Brothers, Jimmy Murphy"--

Book Synopsis

From 1915 through the early 1920s, American auto racing experienced rapid and exciting change. Competition by European vehicles forced American car manufacturers to incorporate new features, resulting in legendary engineering triumphs (and, essentially, works of art). Some of the greatest drivers in racing history were active during this time--Ralph DePalma, Dario Resta, Eddie Rickenbacker, the Chevrolet brothers, Jimmy Murphy.

Presenting dozens of races in detail and a wealth of engineering specs, this history recalls the era's cigar-shaped speedway specials and monumental board tracks, the heavy-footed drivers, fearless mechanics, gifted engineers and enthusiastic backers.

Review Quotes

"a great read for anyone eager to revel in the nitty-gritty details of one of America's most progressive eras of motorsport. We may not look back on it this way now, but the years after World War I saw massive changes in how America perceived racing and how it designed its cars-and this book lays it all out in detail."-Jalopnik.

"[Dick] masterfully outlines the circumstances that made America a hotbed of auto racing...complete with race and car stats and countless images"-Hemmings Motor News

About the Author

Robert Dick is a historian in mechanical engineering and automotive matters. He lives in Germany.