Previews and links to buy popular motorsport books, all in one place.
Motorsport Books
For fans or professionals looking to get into the motorsports industry, there are many opportunities to consider. The climb to a well-known race car driver can be long and include many twists and turns. But how about a technician, engineer, or team manager? These are also positions and roles that can lead to a successful and rewarding career in motorsports. But to get there, a candidate will need to be qualified and show on their motorsport cv template that they have the right experience or education to be considered.
It can all start with free motorsport courses. Here are a few popular online courses:
Motorsport Engineering and Management is a course offered by Oxford Brookes University that teaches the principles of race strategy, team management, and sponsorship.
Vehicle Dynamics for Motorsport is a course offered by the University of Hertfordshire that covers suspensions design, tire technology, and handling.
Introduction to Motorsport Engineering is a course offered by the University of Bolton that provides an introduction to suspension design, vehicle dynamics, and aerodynamics.
Whether you sign up for a course or attend a motorsport academy, education is an important step on the way to a motorsports career. And with any education comes the requirement of books, studying, and reading. Whether it's at a z-library or available on Amazon, there are many types of educational books for motorsport careers. There are also books that provide entertainment and great storytelling.
Best Motorsport Books
There are many books out there that cover specific areas within motorsports, like sprint car racing, dirt tracking racing, and building race cars. These books, unlike fiction novels, are very detailed and technical on specific elements of the race car. They include the science, calculations, and experiments behind the performance of a race car (and maybe a little history too). There are many options available to motorsport book readers.
For those interested in sprint car racing books, check out "Sprint Car Racing: A Step-by-Step Guide" by Steve Smith. From engine maintenance to chassis tuning, this book covers all areas of sprint car racing and the science behind it. For readers looking for dirt track racing books, buy or rent "Dirt Track Chassis and SupensionHP1511: Advanced Setup and Design Technology for Dirt Track Racing" by the team at Circle Track Magazine. It provides information on weight distribution, suspension design, tire selection, and more. A for a good race car setup book, check out "Setup Your Race Car: An Illustrated Guide to Vehicle Dynamics" by Bob Bolles. If you need to learn how different setup options affect the handling of a race car, this book is for you.
Whether it be for academic purposes, general education, or entertainment, the best racing books include detailed information that has value to the reader. The best auto racing books also cite credible drivers, team managers, engineers, or other veterans in the sport.
Best Motorsport Books 2022
In addition to racing books for academic and educational purposes, racing novels are also very popular. For many car racing books, fiction and entertainment is the foundation for a great story that provides a unique perspective into the world of racing. A good example of this is "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein. It has been a New York Times bestseller and is the main source for the movie that goes by the same name. What makes this book so great? Its ability to resonate with different readers, whether they are racing fans or not, because of its many layers of emotional storytelling. It provides a perspective on racing that many do not know about, while taking the reader through the highs and lows of love and loss.
For those intrigued by car racing romance books, "Driven" should be at the top of the reading list. Authored by K. Bromberg, this book has been a New York Times and USA Today bestseller and includes the perfect mix of racing action and romance. It takes readers through a story about a young woman who experiences tragedy and then meets a successful race car driver. The two develop a relationship that includes many ups, downs, secrets, and conflict. Through it all the reader experiences the emotions of loss, lover, and strong relationships. This book is also the source for many spin-off and sequel books.
Best Motorsport Biographies
In addition to romantic novels and fiction racing books, biographies and autobiographies are also very popular amongst racing fans. Whether it's Formula 1, NASCAR, or horse racing, there is a book for whatever readers are most interested in.
"Ayrton Senna: The Whole Story" is one of the best Formula 1 biographies that covers Senna's life and career from his beginning in Brazil all the way to the biggest racing podiums. It goes into his rivalry with Alain Prost, his dedication to improving safety, and even his driving style. It also includes stories on his personal life with friends, family, and other drivers.
"Dale Earnhardt: Remembering The Intimidator" can be considered one of the best racing biographies for NASCAR. It is authored by Jade Gurss and is a tribute to the career and life of Dale Earnhardt, who is one of the most popular names in the entire history of NASCAR. It features interviews with friends and colleagues, explores his unique driving style, and shares more about his personal life. Because this book is authored by Jade Gurss, it is considered a biography and not autobiography.
"Seabiscuit: An American Legend" is one of the most well-known horse racing biography books mainly because the movie became so popular. Authored by Laura Hillenbrand, this book is about a small racehorse who is overlooked by many, but eventually wins become a champion racehorse and national sensation. It also shows the other personalities that contributed to Seabiscuit's success, such as the jockey, trainer, and owner. Through these perspectives and struggles of these characters, readers experience the power of friendship, determination, and perseverance. The popularity of the book and movie is why this story can be considered one of the best horse racing biographies.
Auto Racing Books
If you're interested in books about thoroughbred horses, you also might be interesting it learning about the most popular horse racing fiction authors. Dick Francis is one of the best of all time, having written more than 40 novels. Laura Hillenbrand is famous for "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" and also wrote "Unbroken" that is also about horse racing. Bill Barich has also written several well-known books about horse racing and focuses on the unique settings and characters of the horse racing sport.
With horse racing books, non fiction and fiction can both serve educational purposes. Amongst the best horse racing books 2022 had to offer, "The First Kentucky Derby" is considered one of them. It's about thirteen black jockeys, one shady owner, and a little red horse that wasn't suppose to win. It examines the role played by African Americans in Gilded Age racing culture.
As for another side of horse racing, which fans love for the thrill of winning money, books on horse racing betting are also quite popular. Why would someone need a how to win at horse racing book? If she or he is looking for a strategy to bet on horse racing. These books can educate fans on what to look for, trends, and things to avoid. "Betting Thoroughbreds" by Steve Davidowitz is considered one of the best horse racing books of all time. It educates the reader on money management, price analysis, and handicapping. "Modern Pace Handicapping" is also one of the best horse racing handicapping books. It is authored by Tom Brohamer and offers betting strategies based on the pace of the race and the horse's running style.
Motorsport Engineering Books
The best motorsport engineering books offer insight and teachings on the race car suspension system, race car dynamics, and design. For those looking to build their own race car, be a part of a racing crew, or graduate with a F1 engineering degree, they might consider any of these books:
"Race Car Vehicle Dynamics" is a race car dynamics book authored by William F. Milliken and Douglas L. Milliken and covers vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, tire behavior, and suspension geometry.
"Race Car Vehicle Dynamics" is a popular F1 aerodynamics book that goes into the science behind race car design and engineering.
"Tune to Win: The Art and Science of Race Car Development and Tuning" by Carroll Smith is the perfect race car suspension setup book for tuning, testing, and design.
"Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics" is a popular chassis design book authored by Thomas D. Gillespie that teaches readers how to optimize the design for top racing performance.
For a list of new, educational, entertaining books about racing, be sure to subscribe to the Podium Life or check out their books page. This of this page has a curated reading list of racing books that cover a wide range of racing interests of levels of detail. Whether it be an autobiography about a famous driver, a children's book introducing them to the world of racing, or a racing novel that teaches about life and motorsports, the Podium Life's list of books has it.