Tales from the Toolbox

Michael Oliver went to his first Formula One race when he was just two weeks old, and contends that he learned to count looking at the number roundels on the sides of racing cars.A professional writer, he has contributed features to a wide range of magazines and websites, including autosport.com, itvf1.com, Motor Sport, Octane, Classic Cars, Vintage Racecar, Victory Lane, Chequered Flag and Motor Racing Australia. He is also the author of two other motor racing books: Lotus 49: The Story of a Legend, published in 1999; and Lotus 72: Formula One Icon, published in 2003.It was the contact he made with mechanics while researching these books, and the mechanics’ wealth of untold stories, that inspired him to write this latest work.

"The photos, many of which come from the mechanics' personal collections, are not only priceless, but properly capture the moments and tales told by the crew members. This book is a must for all racing fans" - autoracinghistory.com "Chapter themes in this enjoyable paperback range from travel to job risks, with memories of key spanner-men. Pull-out boxes make it easy to dip into ..." - Classic & Sports Car "Few books have given us as much enjoyment in recent months as this compilation of tales from the less than glamorous side of motor sport. Buy it!" - Octane "A brilliant read, this is a book that you'll keep dipping into." - Club Lotus News "This is one of those books you can dip into anywhere - in its plainly-told tales you feel a vibe and a zeitgeist that many weighty histories don't give and which, because of ever higher technologies and regulations, is probably gone for ever." - Classic Cars "Buy this immensely entertaining book and help out a very worthy cause in the process." - Vintage Racecar "A fascinating insight into a part of the world of motor racing that is usually hidden behind garage doors." - The Marshal "This is the most absorbing motorsport 'inside story' book to be published in a long time." - Speed Scene "This small format book packs so much into its 172 pages. It's a real winner." - New Zealand Classic Car A UNIQUE insight into the pitlanes of Formula One ... With unprecedented everyday access so close to famous drivers and fiery bosses, this recalls some brilliant tales - good and bad - from those who were at the sharp end. Auto Express

• Acknowledgements Foreword by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE Introduction 1 Getting there: travel trials and tribulations 2 Anything to declare? Customs capers 3 The all-nighter: par for the course 4 One big, happy family 5 The mechanic's gallon 6 The team bosses and designers 7 Letting off steam 8 The Champions 9 The contenders 10 The highs, lows, risks and responsibilities 11 Nuts and bolts Index