1968 London to Sydney Marathon

A History of the 10,000 Mile Endurance Rally

Häftad, Engelska, 2016

539 kr

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On November 24, 1968, more than 250 people from 19 nations set off on a 10,000-mile endurance rally from London to Sydney. Crossing 10 countries, competitors encountered officious border guards, gangs of rock-throwing children, treacherous driving conditions, collisions, breakdowns, injuries, wayward dogs, livestock, camels and kangaroos, millions of spectators crowding the roads and even bandits. Among the professional drivers were a large number of enthusiastic amateurs, many of whom had never raced in their lives.Drawing from personal recollections of more than 60 participants--many who made it to Sydney and many more who didn't--and contemporary newspaper and magazine articles, this book tells the full story of what was called the "Marathon," from an idea dreamed up over an alcohol-fueled lunch to the last car over the finish line.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2016-02-17
Mått178 x 254 x 16 mm
Vikt567 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor308
FörlagMcFarland & Co Inc
ISBN9780786495863

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Motorsport inom Sport, fritid och hobby

Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrefaceIntroduction1. What’s the Big Idea?2. Planning the Route3. That Bloody 1100!4. Growing Interest5. The One About the Englishman, the Irishman and the Scotsman6. Runners and Riders7. The Red Arrows8. Off with a Bang!9. Add Lightness, Go Faster10. Bound for Belgrade11. The Curse of the Mercedes-Benz Radiators (Part One)12. A Valiant Effort13. The Curse of the Mercedes-Benz Radiators (Part Two)14. Goodbye Bentley Tourer15. Peeing in the DarkBetween pages 106 and 107 are 16 pages containing 32 color photographs16. A Peykan by Any Other Name17. More Than Just the Mechanic18. All Along the King’s Highway19. We’re Not Going Home20. A Million Broken Metatarsals21. The Fighting Falcons (Part One)22. Close Shaves and Sacred Cows23. The Fighting Falcons (Part Two)24. Shenanigans at Sea25. A Tale of Two Volvos (Part One)26. Roo Bars and Bull Dust27. A Tale of Two Volvos (Part Two)28. Turning on a Dime29. A Sleeping Bag to Kandahar30. Can I Buy Your Axle Please?31. All the Way Back32. And Half the Way There33. Meeting Triumph and Disaster34. Waltzing Over the Khyber PassEpilogue—After the Dust Had SettledAppendix 1: The EntrantsAppendix 2: The ScoreboardChapter NotesBibliographyIndex

“Connor provides ideal insight as to why the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon captured the imagination of the public...Connor has written a most appealing account of the marathon...an enjoyable and informative read...highly recommended”—SAH Journal; “Connor, relies on both statistics and anecdote to tell this amazing story of endurance...one of the most ambitious books on a single motorsport event that we can recall reviewing. It’s liberally illustrated with maps and photos that make clear just how monumental an undertaking London to Sydney really was. Any rally aficionado will want to read this comprehensive work”—Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car; “the book is a fine tribute by a wholly enthusiastic chronicler who full well realizes, as do the many participants he was able to interview, how unique the Marathon was. Even the reenactments never surpassed it, nor do any of the other modern-day long-distance rallies”— SpeedReaders; “I could hardly put [it] down. Connor, is clearly expert in all aspects of the Marathon...read the book. All in all, the most enjoyable book I have read for ages.”—Escape Motoring Inc.; “a book to savor over.... A masterpiece that will well reward the reader!”—Victory Lane; “plenty of archive pictures help to set the scene...entertaining”—Classic & Sports Car