Carroll-Smith-Anecdotes.

PREPARE TO WIN.

Carroll Smith (1932–2003) was a highly successful professional race car driver, engineer, and author.

Carroll’s books are highly regarded among professional and amateur race drivers and engineers alike. He was representative of the club racing spirit: learning a craft and bringing together several disciplines in order to participate in a dangerous and often misunderstood sport.

His straightforward and common-sense approach to race car preparation is legend, he was instrumental in helping many major race car teams achieve victory across the globe.

All through the book is a collection of typical Carroll Smith anecdotes.

There would be very few people in the race game who wouldn’t know about this laconic laid back US chap. Just recently the writer spotted one of his books “Prepare To Win” sitting on a table at a book reseller at the Winton Festival of Speed event, a well known Victorian race circuit (Australia).

Flipping through the first few pages, I found that it is a book that is hard to put down, I read it from cover to cover, absorbing the info over many many hours, a late evening read, plus, the best part of the next day… Yes, I enjoyed it that much

I’m sure the majority of readers would truly enjoy the satirical way that Carroll delivers his no nonsense, common sense, and at times highly amusing approach to his work and writing, it is a great read for any motor racing and sports car enthusiast who might be heavily involved with the building and preparation of anything to do with the sports/racing auto mobile scene.

If you had any thoughts about having a go at car racing at the grass roots level of motor sport, or even if you are well advanced in the game, then this book should be your reference bible for guidance.

Carroll begins his book with the quote;
“We will begin by destroying a few illusions”.

He is making reference about acquiring your shiny new racer;
“At best you will discover and rectify, at moderate cost, all of the errors of your predecessor.

“THERE IS NO MAGIC!
The one basic truth of successful race car preparation bears repeating, THERE IS NO MAGIC!

There is only logic, common sense. forethought, vast amounts of hard work, and a fanatic dedication to the task at hand”.

Ed- side note.
This approach to building and preparation, brought to my attention the amount of planning, preparation and the hard slog that goes into the “ground up” rebuilding and restoration of a classic sports car… I believe the very same principle applies, and fanatic approach will get you to your end goal (Driving your classic) sooner than you think.

The information freely dispensed in this book is truly astounding, no stone is left un-turned, the reader wont be left wondering what you should do next, or wonder how you should approach the various aspects of car preparation.

The amazing thing is that many people think that race car preparation requires tens of thousands of dollars worth of sophisticated equipment.

Carroll will quickly dispel that myth as he explains many techniques and processes that can be employed to produce quality sheet metal parts cheaply, and he is all for learning the skills required so that you will know what has been done and what hasn’t, should you farm work out to others.

He also provides details of where to source and locate special hard to find parts and fittings used in the Aeronautical industry which are applicable to the race car, and to a lessor extent, the sports car.

About Sheet Metal And Tools.
Sheet metal can be a vexing subject – particularly when you don’t have much equipment to work with. Most of us don’t – including some successful car builders who do beautiful work.

Having a well equipped workshop is advantageous, as well as knowing how to use the equipment… But what happens when you arrive at the East Oshkosh GP and are reduced to a pair of 2 X 4’s and a hammer – so you’d better learn the basics so that in that situation you’ll know what to do to get you out of trouble and back on the track.

In this book, Carroll Smith gives in spades, a down to earth, easy to read, no BS practical guidance and advice, and when you start to read, you wont want to put it down. Great info even though it was written many years ago.

I love the conversational way in which Carroll Smith writes, so we will also be adding a couple of Carroll Smiths other books to our tech library.

Quote By a Fellow Racer.
” There’s no such thing as luck – you make your own.”
Carroll Shelby – Circa-1968.