JSG1901 Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 For reasons I can't quite comprehend, my brother has never been a car guy. FINALLY, for his 50th birthday, he has thrown aside his childish stick-and-ball games and surprised himself with a new Boxster S. Having already told him he's going to have to try HPDE events, I'm encouraging the habit. On his Christmas list this year is this request I would love to fulfill... ...Or, as an alternative, I’m about to get a sports car and yet my knowledge of automotive things is pitiful (a tremendous disappointment, I realize). I won’t be doing my own oil changes or tune-ups, but it would be nice to know a bit more about cars. For example, I don’t have a clue what understeer and oversteer means or what a MacPherson strut is. So if you know of any good books that would fill in some gaps without getting too deep that might be even better since I know you know this stuff so well. I'm surprised he's asked for this (and even more surprised he knows the terms "oversteer," "understeer" and "MacPherson strut") but I don't know that I know of any good books as basic as what he's looking for. Therefore, I'm appealing to this august body for your suggestions. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cstreit911 Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Porsche Performance Driving by Vic Elford. Old, but still very good. Highly recommend. Got a few other 2nd choices and will post when I can remember the names. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosm3os Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Anything written by Caroll Smith. I read them all this Fall. Whichever is the first in the "series", I think its Prepare to Win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connor_helms Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 Ross Bentley has some good stuff, speed secrets. it skips the ultra advanced engineering talk and as a result is a bit basic, it's mostly about driving technique so he would also learn how to drive better while getting in the basics (tells you what camber, toe, castor is etc, gives info about racing line and knowing what the tires are doing, how close to the limit you are). this book is about as basic as it gets in those terms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosm3os Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 +1 for anything by Bentley as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbit_diesel Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 I suggest "How to Make Your Car Handle", by Fred Puhn. (Book review: http://www.ultimateresourceguides.com/resources/review101.html) Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSG1901 Posted December 13, 2009 Author Share Posted December 13, 2009 Thanks guys...your help is much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbrew8991 Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 I'll 3rd the Ross Bentley suggestion - outta be required reading for any HPDE student and racer alike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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