A Chequered Life

Richard Heseltine is a freelance journalist specialising in classic and contemporary performance cars and motor racing history. A former staff member on Classic & Sports Car and Motor Sport, he has contributed to more than 50 motoring titles including Octane, Classic Cars, Car, Autosport, RACER and Motorsport News, while also writing for several websites and newspapers, such as The Guardian. Richard has authored books on subjects as diverse as the rise of the British specialist sports car movement, legendary Ferrari racing cars and Italian design classics.Richard lives in London, where he nurses his addiction to old Alfa Romeos.

Just when you thought there was nothing new left in motoring to read about, here is a hitherto untold story ... This is a first hand account of how [Graham Warner] ran a rally team with the legendary Lancia Stratos and 131 Arbath. The story is complemented by many previously unpublished pictures of these iconic cars. Fascinating. Auto Italia the first and only account of the Chequered Flag race team and its charismatic founder, Graham Warner Heseltine has written ... an entertaining and lively book and the large selection of photographs help to enhance the tale. Old Stager A fascinating and perceptive inside story of an exciting period of motor racing history. Richard Heseltine has done well to chronicle this and let Warner express himself in largely his own words so the book flows like a long interview. A compelling read, especially for those who were watching from the crowd in those days. Kieron Fennelly - Freelance Highly entertaining ... Written with Warner, it serves not only as a biography, but also a tribute to the Chequered Flag equipe that he founded ... A brilliant read Classic & Sports Car (UK) Book of the Month - Warner's life has, indeed, been a chequered one, and this book will make a fine legacy. Octane Running to 160 pages and containing a wonderfully evocative selection of period black and white plus colour pictures, Retro-Speed has no hesitation in making A Chequered Life: Graham Warner and The Chequered Flag, our Book of the Year. RETRO SPEED The book is easy to read, gently laid out and superbly written by Richard Heseltine; complimented by some very rare and fascinating images through the decades ... This book takes you on a motorsport rollercoaster from sprints and hill climbs to Formula 1 and international rallying, with informed detail from just about every event. Taking in the huge highs and the deep lows of his life, business and racing, this book is both detailed and sympathetic, you get the full story not just the glory ... For those of us with a life less interesting I recommend a large brandy and a comfortable chair when you start this book, you may find you are going to be there a while, unable to put it down ... Highly recommended a fascinating read. Classic Car mag.net Warner's has been a full life and the pages are dense with facts and anecdotes, plus wonderful B&W photos sourced from the man himself. Motor Sport A great read when you love motorsports and passionate people. Liebe zu Ihm (love for Porsche) The ups and downs of this story makes a good read ... it is clear that Graham Warner has packed in enough action, drama and intrigue over the years to last several lifetimes. The book provides a good insight into the British racing scene in the '50s, '60s and '70s. It includes many previously unpublished photos and has a place in any library that aims to cover this period. Speedscene it's good to see [Graham Warner's] contributions recognised in this enjoyable book. New Zealand Classic Car