2001 edition. The story of two of Britains greatest race drivers of the 1950s who reached Grand Prix status at the same time, dove together at Ferrari, were friends and rivals on the track and the best of 'buddies' off it: Mike Hawthorn ,the 1958 World Championship and Peter Collins , who famously gave up the chance of the 1956 title in deference to team leader Fanio. At the peak of their careers in 1958, Collins died in a track crash at the German GP , having just won the British GP at Silverstone only days before, and a grief stricken Hawthorn retired at the end of the season only to die in a road accident months later. These two were 'Great Characters' who lived life to the full, both on and off the track, in a way which is just not possible today. Author Chris Nixon investigates what marked these two 'tick'. The girls, the practical jokes, the beer, the pubs, the fast cars and a lot of really great motor racing! Terrific book that evokes a lost era and somewhat controversially highlighted some secret and tragic aspects to Hawthorn's life which had previously not been widely appreciated. 377 large pages with lots of superb photos . In Fine condition apart from a small repair at the top left front corner of the jacket (see image) at the hinge area with the spine.Otherwise clean bright jacket - which incidentally is a terrific Michael Turner painting of the pair racing side by side at the 1957 German GP .
