[Books] HRT Book - More details

[Quested]

There was a bit of discussion in a previous thread about the book mentioned in my sig.

I have put some details about this book on my website:
Click here for details.



The publisher tells me that it will be in bookstores from August 20.

Any other questions - just ask.

[RaceTime]

Is this a paid for or a free advert?

[Quested]

Hmm... not sure what you're getting at with that last comment. I put this thread here as many people had been asking about the book. I put the information about the book on my own site, so yes, I guess I am paying for it.

[marcus]

no problem with it being here as the moderator , it seems a very good book and I hope it does well for you

[rdmdog]

Andrew,

in another thread that mentioned this book you said that you had some help from Wal, I assume by this you meant Paul "Wal" Wiessel as I spoke to Wally Storey today and he said that he had heard of your book but has had no input.

Just trying to clear this up as it may confuse a few people.

When did your "affiliation" with HRT end? And Im also wondering if Crennan, Stevo or Plastic have had any influence in what you have written?

Cheers

[00 XR8]

You should have waited a few months before you wrote the book. Then you could of had an exciting title like "The rise and demise of the Holden Racing Team"

Seriously though, it sounds like a fantastic book. If it was the same format, but about ANY Ford team (DJR would be best), then I would definately get it.

[Quested]

It was Paul Weissel that I spoke to. He helped me out with a lot of the 'old' stuff, like from before the time when he joined the team. He was a sports reporter for Austereo back then, with a keen personal interest in motorsport.

John Crennan was interviewed as a part of research for the book, and pretty much ensured an 'open door' policy at HRT. He allowed me to go thorugh old files and photos unhindered - nothing was hidden. This let to some interesting stuff, which I then followed up with others involved, such as Wayne Gardner. I think Crenno had an attitude of wanting to 'air the dirty laundry'.

Plastic assisted with some finishing touches in the book, including providing photos, proof-reading, and keeping me and the publisher alert as things changed earlier this year (when I was actually in London).

I worked as an internet consultant for HSV and HRT from 1996 to 2001. They employed their own internal webmaster to look after things from that point, and I have had no affiliation with them from that time.

[mjt57]

Originally posted by Quested
Plastic assisted with some finishing touches in the book,

Hmm, is "Plastic", Tim Pemberton, one time friend of PB and who figured prominently in "The Rise and Fall of Peter Brock"?

[Quested]

Yes. 'Plastic' is Tim Pemberton. He is a PR Consultant who works for (or has worked for) Holden, and as such has access to many press releases, information and photos.

[rdmdog]

Thanks Andrew.

Im looking forward to adding your book to my collection. How many pages is it and Im guessing there will be plenty of pictures that

00 XR8, there has been a few different books about Dick, some of which I have. For the life of me I cannot remember the titles of them, Stoopid brain but they may still be available through chevron.

The rise and fall of PB was written by Bill Tuckey wasnt it?

Although Im sure it was a good read, Im thinking sometime soon would be good for a reprint/reassessment of the title. The story was nowhere near over at the end of the '80s!

[Quested]

The book is 224 pages, and about the size of an A4 page. It has colour pictures on almost all pages. It's a glossy kinda thing. I guess you could call it a coffee table book.

I'm not sure what you meant about 00 XR8 - there are not many pictures of that... hehe...

Yes, the Brock book was written by Bill Tuckey.

You are right... there is more to be told of the Brock story. I've covered his return to HRT, and some of the Team Brock stuff, but there is more, and my book isn't really about Brock. It's not quite time for another Brock book just yet - wait and see... ;-)

[mjt57]

The Tuckey book, at the time, was pretty well spot on. Brock was then in very much a privateer operation, with no real business interests (unless you call "Brockifying" Ladas a business), and his on track performance was less than startling. It really showed that even great drivers perform poorly when you have **** machinery. Skaife borne this out when he was racing that Sega car. At the time, it seemed that Brock would fade into obscurity once the fallout over HDT etc. died away.

[rdmdog]

mjt57, was that book written before or after Brock won Bathurst for the ninth time?

Isnt it funny with all the kerfuffle in recent months, one name has stood out NOT being mentioned as much as what it possably deserved to have?:confused:

The HRT stuff up was Walkinshaw's, Borrett's, Weel's, Skaife's, Brock's, AVESCO's and a few other's doing. Stevo got a mention from time to time, but there is one other who is smelling a little rosey, or at least no less rosey than before??????????????????

[Quested]

Not sure what you mean by that... did you mean to suggest that Brock has come out smelling rosey after the TWR collapse? If so... so what!? Brock had nothing to do with TWR or HRT at all... he was just a driver for a few years... an employee like any other employee.

Who else has been left smelling rosey while maybe they deserve more scrutiny... I am not sure...

Sorry if I have missed the point... I probably just made my self look like an idiot... but if I have missed the point, please explain.

[racer69]

Where does the story start in the book?

From the Perkins/HSV team in 1988, the HSV assault on the 1989 enduro's, or the 1990 season when the team was properly set-up. I'd be interested to know the politics regarding Holden's absence from the 1989 season, after the big song and dance they made in 1988 about the 'new' VL Commodore (even though it was released after the VN had come out)

[Quested]

The book covers a bit of background, and then covers 1988 through to today with a chapter for each year. What happened in 1989 is a result of what happened at Bathurst in 1988, and yes, it is more about personalities and politics than anything practical. 1989 is the shortest chapter in the book.

[Quested]

There are extracts from The Holden Racing Team book in the Weekend magazine of today's News Ltd. papers. In Melbourne's Herald-Sun it focuses on the Wayne Gardner stuff... I don't about other states... anyone got the Telegraph, Courier-Mail, Advertiser or Mercury?

[rdmdog]

I had a look at my local Westfield in Target as well as specialty book stores. No one had heard of it. Any ideas where I could get a copy in Sydney?

[Quested]

I have asked the publisher about they, and they say that those book stores might be a bit slow in unpacking their boxes... although if you say they have not even heard of it, that story seems unlikely. Maybe give it a few days and try again - it should show up. If I learn any more about when it will be in the stores I will let you know.

[Mattracer]

There was a book out about 12 months ago now, maybe more, where a few famous Australian sports people told their "story". One of these was Mark Skaife, but I never found it and frankly can't remember the title now.

[rdmdog]

Ive had another look at your book's details page and will try Dymocks with the ISBN. Ill get back to you soon!

I did notice the Publication date of 31 August 03? Will this make the difference?:confused:

[RRR]

Originally posted by rdmdog
[/B]

00 XR8, there has been a few different books about Dick, some of which I have. For the life of me I cannot remember the titles of them, Stoopid brain but they may still be available through chevron.
[/B]

The Unforgiven Minute was a book written in the early '80s, updated around 1990. Don't tell me I can't do that.(or what ever it was called) was the book published when Dicky boy retired ...

[Quested]

There was a book that I refered to in my research:
Australia's Greatest Motor Race 1960-1999

My book is supposed to be in the shops now, but I think it just takes a while for some of the chain stores to distribute it or something. I have seen it in a few independant shops, but not the chain stores just yet. If they haven't got it, ask them!

[rdmdog]

Yeah, thats about it, might have been UnforgivING Minute maybe? But I think this may even be an updated reprint of an earlier one from Chevron, anyone?

Also, I got a copy yesterday Andrew you can eat tonight and have started reading.

Ill post a bit of a review soon however I might suggest that the proofreading department may need a little more motorracing in the brains trust. Ive got about a 1/4 into it and was amused by a photo said to have been from the grid in1990, but VP's were not the cars that won that race!

Im not a HRT fan but I feel that books such as this are good to add to the collection, but the only comment Ill make is that other than drivers/managers/directors and one well known mechanic/manager (Hog) no-one seems to be getting a mention. As I assumed a book with this title hasnt seemed to uncover too much of the behind the scenes stories (Crenno wouldnt let too much dirty laundry out in a book titled as such would he?), or maybe I havnt read enough of it yet?

Definately one to ad to the collection though, especially if you are a Skaife or HRT fan.

Well done Andrew

[Quested]

Cheers.
I am not sure which picture you are referring to - what page number?
I did talk to drivers, managers, directors, team members and former team members. I also spoke to fans at race meetings. I think it is all quite balanced. There are certainly thing in there that Crenno would rather not be in there, but so be it... I just wrote the truth as I found it, regardless of where or how I found it.

The book is not an 'official' HRT product. The team had no editorial control at all, and there is no licencing arrangements. The only money HRT will make out of this is as a retailer, just like any other retailer.

I look forward to more of your thoughts. Thanks for your interest.