Young sports enthusiasts and nonenthusiasts alike will find something to interest them in the History of Sports series. Each book in the series focuses on a sport, examining its origins and tracing the evolution of rules, strategy, and philosophy of the game. Memorable moments and colorful personalities are discussed in every volume as are the important social and political issues that have shaped and continue to influence the game. Annotated bibliographies, informational sidebars, footnoted sources, numerous photographs, and detailed indexes enhance each book. Book jacket.

The history of sports car racing in the Southern United States featuring the top echelon of European sports cars has long been unexplored territory. With the exception of the Sebring 12 Hours, the meets were largely ignored by the national press, and no comprehensive research material is available for the numerous events organized between Texas and Florida, when amateur competition surged in the late 1950s. Yet, the South offers a rich road racing history, often fueled by wealthy oilmen from Texas and Oklahoma. Many of the events were hosted on airport courses where late-model Ferraris, Maseratis, Jaguars, Porsches, OSCAs and Climax-engined cars such as Lotus, Cooper and Elva did battle with American V8-powered vehicles, both Corvettes and homebuilt Specials. This book, the first of a series of three, offers a race-by-race account of all 1957 and 1958 Southern events, from Novice Races to the weekend-ending Features competition. The author has scoured local newspapers of the period for race reports and results and interviewed many of the drivers, mechanics and owners that were involved in the competitions. He provides an exhaustive report of the time, vividly illustrated by period photographs, many from the archives of Bob Jackson, the acclaimed press photographer.

In 1977, precisely 20 years after the last unforgettable high speed Mille Miglia in 1957, the great race came back to relive its history all over again with the commemorative Mille Miglia, attracting once more to Brescia?s Piazza della Vittoria the cars of the greatest, most prestigious race in the world that took place between the end of the?20s and the second half of the?50s. Since then, the Mille Miglia has gone back to being an event not to be missed, first every two years and then yearly for all motoring and motor racing enthusiasts. A book tells the story of this great sporting and cultural event, the 2014 edition of which opens with a historical section that recalls the 1934 race, won by Achille Varzi, and the 1954, with the magnificent victory of Alberto Ascari. After that, the book concentrates on the race that took place last May and its protagonists? competitors, crew after crew, car after car, in a long and fully-illustrated section. 2014 Mille Miglia starting grid was full of exceptional protagonists too: actors Luke Evans, Adrien Brody and Jeremy Irons, American Tv personality Jay Leno, French stylist Paloma Picasso and industrial designer Mark Newson. Many musicians were also there: Brian Johnson, AC/DC frontman, British rapper Example, Scottish singer Amy Macdonald and Belgian singer Milow. Many racing drivers took the start, first and foremost Eros Crivellari, the only one with an original Mille Miglia to his credit, Andy Wallace, Jochen Mass, Teo Fabi, Bernd Schneider, Jacky Ickx, Martin Brundle e Bruno Senna, with the very evocative helmet of his late uncle Ayrton. This is indispensible publication for all those who were there, and for all vintage car enthusiasts.

This is the third and final volume in a series exploring the history of sports car racing in the Southern United States. With the exception of the Sebring 12 Hours, the meets were largely ignored by the national press, and no comprehensive research material is available for the numerous events organized between Texas and Florida, when amateur competition surged in the late 1950s. Yet, the South offers a rich road racing history, often fueled by wealthy oilmen Texas and Oklahoma. -- Many of the events were hosted on airport courses and featured the top echelon of European sports cars. Late-model Ferraris, Maseratis, Jaguars, Listers, Porsches, OSCAs and Climax-engined cars such as Lotus, Cooper and Elva did battle with American V8-powered vehicles, both Corvettes and homebuilt Specials. This book offers a race-by-race account of all 1959 and 1960 Southern events, Novice Races to the weekend-ending Features competition.

The true story behind NASCAR’s hardscrabble, moonshine-fueled origins, “fascinating and fast-moving . . . even if you don’t know a master cylinder from a head gasket” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution). “[Neal] Thompson exhumes the sport’s Prohibition-era roots in this colorful, meticulously detailed history.”—Time Today’s NASCAR—equal parts Disney, Vegas, and Barnum & Bailey—is a multibillion-dollar conglomeration with 80 million fans, half of them women, that grows bigger and more mainstream by the day. Long before the sport’s rampant commercialism lurks a distant history of dark secrets that have been carefully hidden from view—until now. In the Depression-wracked South, with few options beyond the factory or farm, a Ford V-8 became the ticket to a better life. Bootlegging offered speed, adventure, and wads of cash. Driving with the Devil reveals how the skills needed to outrun federal agents with a load of corn liquor transferred perfectly to the red-dirt racetracks of Dixie. In this dynamic era (the 1930s and ’40s), three men with a passion for Ford V-8s—convicted felon Raymond Parks, foul-mouthed mechanic Red Vogt, and war veteran Red Byron, NASCAR’s first champ—emerged as the first stock car “team.” Theirs is the violent, poignant story of how moonshine and fast cars merged to create a sport for the South to call its own. In the tradition of Laura Hillenbrand’s Seabiscuit, this tale captures a bygone era of a beloved sport and the character of the country at a moment in time.