Drive to Win: Essential Guide to Race Driving

Words are short to describe how powerful this book really is. It shows You the way to become a racing driver -if that the way you wanna go- I have this book for about six months, I read and re-read it, it never gets old, be prepare though to take the sarcasm and the funny side of Mr Smith. After reading Driving to Win, I have clear were my goals are. Pros: the book is full of history, personal and from other Carrol's Friends, from a guy Who knew the sport inside and out, He tells stories about Fangio, Hunt, Gilles Villenueve, Prost, Schumi, and of course the great Senna and many more.Invaluable stuff that a hardcore fan will treasure in the heart and mind. He explains the concepts of tires, Shocks, suspension basics, gearboxes, in such a way that You go to racing school You know what they talking about. However the book is written more from the point of view from the Engineer. The book also tells about racecraft and the state of mind to win, He tells about diet, kind of training You need and so on, it really is a gospel. The insight about sponsorship is invaluable and clear. the Cons: This book is not written like a manual, is not, maybe that's why Mr Smith said Its good for You to find the right Driving Racing School.I also have Tune To Win and that one its more difficult to understand due to the Math included and way Engineering people talk.Still Drive to Win is fun to read. I'm impressed about the age from the book and still can keep up with the many "advanced" concepts we have today, specially in Formula One, The price the book is its really a bargain. Thanks Mr Smith for the invaluable information at reach for the "unfunded" masses. RIP.

This is not a book written from the perspective of the driver, but rather the perspective of someone responsible for the whole performance package, of which the driver is but a part. Not one to waste words, Carroll Smith gets to it, and packs a lot of insights and knowledge into this book. With the bedside manner of the Terminator, he tells it like he sees it, and that usually means like it is. If he were a counseling psychologist he would end his first, and only, conference with each patient with the phrase "Life is hard, then you die. So, let's get back out there and get on with it and stop wasting time here." I really like, and respect, the strength of personality and resolve it takes to present a work in this fashion, which is remarkably unique. Yet it is sensitive and focused on being helpful and giving back to motorsport the benefit of his experience, wisdom and insights. You don't have to agree with everything he says.....but you better be able to prove out your differing point of view whether he is there to challenge you or not....because he would be prepared to. Know what you are doing and why, precisely, is the "take away" from this book as to all things you do in motorsport, from sponsorship, to training, building a team, building a car..........and oh, yes......in driving.

One of the best books about chassis setup out there. A foundational book that should be in your library. His attempt to explain stratification of driver speed is enlightening but somewhat ambiguous. In essence he puts forth that the driver that can stay closest to the extreme knife edge of the friction circles is fastest, but his examples of drivers that exemplified that was extremely narrow and failed by relegating the examples to the qualifying paradigm. The qualifying paradigm of judging a driver's speed capability is suspect because many of the greatest road course champions put a lower priority on setting their cars up for a single fastest lap, and more of a priority on their race setup so that they could win the race! Still, this is a GREAT book.

Not strictly a book about how to drive a car on a track but it does some of that. It also teaches the engineering and business side of race car driving. Author has straightforward approach.

Carroll Smith does a fantastic job of breaking down vehicle and driving dynamics into memorable words and visualizations. My favorite part is his section on the traction circle, it greatly improved my performance driving. If you want to learn how to better prepare your race car and drive it, this is the book to have on-hand.

So much really in-depth information here. It's like it was sent from the gods. Why did I spend so much time reading all these dummies post all their immature comments on discussion forums. Much better to find a gem like this and start getting some real knowledge.

so much information from someone who has lived this. Rare gem.

Overall, the detail and information in this book is very good. I particularly took away the need and importance of testing, some tips for organization and a bit of racecraft. It was a good read because I've been racing sportscars for a few years. With that said, I felt the book put too much emphasis on going pro in racing and how it takes a lot of resources, if you don't have them you won't make it, ect. Not everyone intends to be the next F1 star, and if they are, they probably aren't reading books on how to do it.

THIS IS THE LAST AND BEST OF CARROLL SMITH This is a guide to Race Driving not how to drive a race car. It distills more than thirty years of disciplined work as an Engineer working at the top levels of racing around the world, A single life dedicated to Racing engineering and SAE competition. Peter Austin

Carroll Smith may have gone to the great racetrack in the sky, but his books live on. His books are always a good read and seem timeless. Very good refresher information and valuable pointers.

Great informative book

does what it says

Enjoyed this book, some really good information in it. Great for race drivers or rc drivers as it outlines techniques for racing lines.