After a short recess the library will be back in business this month. The Grand Prix season is now in full swing and as I promised (or threatened) at an earlier meeting, we are starting to bring in some books on Formula One. For May, we have two new additions, one on Murray Walker, and the other on the Benetton race team.

Murray Walker
The Very Last Word
By Christopher Hilton
2002, softbound, 203 pages, some photos

Murray Walker was the voice of Formula One racing on BBC and ITV for years, retiring at the US Grand Prix at Indy in 2001. We didn’t get to hear him too often on this side of the pond, but we do know him thru his articles in American car magazines. This book is about his broadcasting career, which was quite colorful. He is a mixture of Yogi Berra and Harry Carey. As Jackie Stewart stated, “He has excited radio listeners and television audiences all around the world in a frenzy of enthusiasm. His voice is instantly recognized by millions. His integrity is above reproach even if occasionally some of his facts are … questionable.”

Benetton
Formula 1 Racing Team
By Alan Henry
1998, softbound, 159 pages, color photos

In 1985 the Benetton family (Italian knitwear clothing) acquired the Toleman F1 team and in ten years brought home the world championship. But with people like Flavio Briatore, Nelson Piquet, Ross Brawn, and Michael Schumacher, how could they go wrong? “ Often controversial, sometimes inspirational, here is a team that is used to making banner headlines.” Although the team is now Renault, and the main characters have moved on to other teams or retired, the book shows how a modern team functions and that personalities are as important as the machinery.