McLaren, Lola, Shadow and Porsche, 7.5 liter displacement, in the final phase up to well over 1000 hp, a set of rules for vehicle design whose restrictions could be listed with one hand: a paradise for designers, racing drivers and spectators. The fascination of this racing series continues to this day.
For the first time in German-language literature, there is now a comprehensive book about the Can-Am racing series, or more precisely about the "Canadian American Challenge Cup", and it is really good!
Accurately researched with a lot of enthusiasm
As soon as you look at the table of contents, it becomes clear that the author is going to let you in on all the details: the chapter on the origins and development of the Can-Am covers a full 75 pages. After that, the focus is on the champions, the brands that have achieved the most success: Lola, McLaren, Porsche and Shadow.
The chapter on all manufacturers shows the different designs and ideas of the more than 20 participating brands on just under one hundred pages, from the better-known ones such as Bizzarrini, BRM, Chaparral, Ferrari and March, for example, to the exotic ones such as Costello, Honker, McKee, PAM and Wolverine... The wealth of detail is fascinating and the spark of enthusiasm on the part of the author is constantly transmitted to the reader.
The birth of the Can-Am and its history
After the Second World War, there were various clubs in the USA that organized car races. The SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) races were the most popular, as European brands such as Jaguar, Porsche and Ferrari were also involved and spurred on the American constructors.
The races took place in the fall: Riverside, Laguna Seca and Kent. The press summarized them as the "Fall Series". Added to this was the close cooperation with the umbrella organization ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee of the United States), which represented their interests vis-à-vis the FIA. This created a platform on which internationally recognized races could be held.
The author Christian Reinsch describes the further development of the FIA Group 7 regulations and how the first Can-Am race in the fall of 1966 came about. One chapter each is devoted to the Can-Am years up to 1974. Naturally, there is a focus on McLaren's dominance, which began in the second season and went down in history as the "Bruce & Denny Show" (Bruce McLaren brought the unbeatable New Zealander Denny Hulme into the team). Just imagine: "Bruce & Denny" won every Can-Am race in 1969!
The chapters on the changing of the guard by the oversized Porsche 917/10 and 917/30 are also very detailed.
The different perspectives that the author brings together time and again, often highlighting the arguments and views of the racing drivers, are commendable: John Surtees, Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme, Peter Revson, Jackie Stewart, Jackie Oliver, George Follmer and Mark Donohue, just to name a few who "have their say" in this book.
Plenty of technical data and lush photo material
Numerous technical data, detailed results lists and a bibliography round off this work on the Can-Am. Looking at the bibliography, you realize once again the enormous amount of research that has gone into compiling the information.
However, a book without photos would not be as interesting as it ultimately is.
The texts are accompanied by a large number of photos, often filling pages, 324 in total. Connoisseurs know how difficult it is to get hold of American photo archives, so it is all the more enjoyable to let your eyes wander over vehicles, personalities and technical photographs.
Conclusion
If you have a passion for sports car racing, if you love extremes and don't consider more than 1000 hp to be excessive, if you have an affinity for carefully researched details and if you are inspired by the abundance of photos, then this book really comes highly recommended.
List of all brands described
Bizzarrini, BRM, Caldwell, Chaparral, Costello, Ferrari, Ford, Hoare Mac's it Special, Honker, Lola, March, Matich, McKee, McLaren, McLeagle, Mirage, OpenSports Ford, PAM, Porsche, Shadow, Shelby King Cobra, Stanton-Special, Sting, Ti22, Wolverine
Information about the book
- Order book directly from Petrolpics or from Amazon for approx. 49.- €
- Author: Christian Reinsch
- 350 pages, color print, hardcover 29,2 x 22,8 x 3,2 cm, German
- 324 photos
- ISBN-10: 3940306231
- ISBN-13: 978-3940306234
- Published December 16, 2012
- Publisher: PETROLPICS Motorsport Publishing
