First, for HPDE first-timers and beginners who are interested to enter wheel-to-wheel racing: Dave Gran's "Go Ahead, Take the Wheel". This book not only tells you about your first steps into autoX and performance driving events (as a COM member, you probably know about some of those already), but also shows how to move on into club racing if you care for that, and it *saves you a ton on money* by preventing you from spending thousands on all the stuff that you don't need to get started (e.g. a 'vtec' sticker, a shiny cold air intake or an F430). It also has valuable basics on car preparation and maintenance. You can pocket the hundreds that you would pay the dealership for a look under the hood and a turned bolt, and pay for another track weekend with COM
!!!Check it out at amazon http://www.amazon.com/Go-Ahead-Wheel-Da ... 0977786005 for more reviews (everyone loves it), or see Dave's webpage with additional links and info - http://goaheadtakethewheel.com . The book is an entertaining one-day read. Best 11 bucks to spend if you are new.
Second, for everyone (but the advanced folks own it anyway since it's the bible): "Going Faster" by Carl Lopez:http://www.amazon.com/Going-Faster-Mast ... 0837602262
Again, see the amazon reviews - this book is incredibly detailed and reads like a comprehensive textbook on how to drive fast. It is an easy and pleasant read, yet takes a while to finish (just finished my copy), just because there is so much in it - and one gets so much out of it. To quote a track instructor, this book will make the car go faster than thousands of $$$ of performance upgrades. It covers basic driving physics (no, no pages of equations, and they did the math for you where necessary so you just need to look at the final numbers to get the point), basic and advanced line theory, car handling, control and weight shifting, the approach to analyzing a new track, methods to analyze and improve lap times, rain driving, passing techniques, car setup (suspension and tire basics), types of racecars, general advice on life as an amateur or pro driver. Real life quotes on each topic from famous drivers. A reference book that you will read again and again, in full or in parts. Most people consider it the essential read. About $20.
That's it for now. Just ordered 'Speed Secrets', will review it when done reading.
Happy Driving!!!
