There’s less than a month to go before Christmas now so it’s time to start making your lists of what you’re going to buy your favourite petrolhead as a present.
Or, if you’re the petrolhead, it’s time to start dropping hints about what you want so you don’t end up with the proverbial pair of Christmas socks that play Jingle Bells.
I always think that Christmas is a time for sitting down and relaxing in front of the fire with a good book or DVD and a glass of something by your side. With this in mind, I’m going to recommend a couple of motor racing DVDs and books that will keep you thoroughly entertained and also whet the appetite for the 2010 season.
Le Mans 2009 – Duke Video £16.99
Each year the Le Mans 24 hour race attracts around 50,000 brits who make the annual pilgrimage to the French circuit. This year the race produced a home win as Peugeot triumphed against the might of Audi, finally breaking the German manufacturer’s five year domination of the event.
The official review of the race features dramatic and action-filled footage, including behind-the-scenes access, interviews and special features, including plenty of on-board action. It also includes a comprehensive build-up to the race plus all the action from 3,200 miles of racing. If you were there, it’s the perfect souvenir and if you weren’t it’ll make you want to book up for next year!
2009 British Touring Car Championship review – Duke video £19.99
One of the most popular forms of racing these days, both in terms of crowds at the track and television audiences, is the British Touring Car Championship and in 2009 the series delivered one of the most thrilling battles ever seen. There were a record-breaking seven different winners in the first seven races, the closest-ever race finish and a title-deciding final race with just eight points separating the top three contenders.
The official review of the season includes drama from all 30 races with exceptional action footage and more than seven hours of the very finest bumper-to-bumper, wing mirror-smashing, panel-denting racing. For sheer value for money this double-DVD set can’t be beaten and will help a quiet Boxing Day pass quicker.
Autocourse, edited by Alan Henry, Icon Publishing – Special offer – £34.00 (RRP £40.00)
At this time of year we get swamped with reviews of the motor racing season but there’s one publication which consistently stands out head and shoulders above the others. Autocourse is now in its 59th year of publication and justifiably calls itself the world’s leading Grand Prix annual. From the quality of the writing to the outstanding photographs and illustrations, this is the definitive review and the one which all serious fans aspire to. Apart from detailed accounts of all of this year’s Grands Prix, Autocourse contains profiles of every team, so if you want to understand just why Jenson Button’s Brawn was so far ahead of its rivals in the first part of the season, or why Red Bull designer Adrian Newey prefers to work on a drawing board initially rather than a CAD-CAM system, it’s all explained here. It’s not just F1 either, Autocourse carries season reviews of touring cars, sports cars, Indycars – you name it, it’s there. At £40 it’s not cheap, but quality comes at a price.
Official 2009 Formula One season review, foreword by Bernie Ecclestone, Haynes Publishing, £25.00
If it’s just F1 that you’re into, this is the book for you. Fully illustrated reports of each Grand Prix, together with in-depth statistics and behind-the-scenes details, along with a team-by-team focus and illustrated technical review make this the ultimate review of the 2009 season.
The race reports bring the best of the action, supported by insight from the drivers and team personnel on what really went on, while the technical chiefs from each team give their version of events and explain how the likes of Ferrari and McLaren reacted to the speed of Red Bull and Brawn. Each of the 25 drivers who took part give their own perspective on the challenges, highs and lows of the season and the book is packed with superb illustrations and photography. Essential reading if you’re a dedicated Formula One fan.
