New Book Review: Speed Kings by John Smailes
Positives
Negatives
I initially picked up a copy of John Smailes’ Speed Kings being keen to read up on the early forays by 1960’s drivers like Sir Jack Brabham, Jim Clark, Bruce McLaren, Chris Amon and Denny Hulme to race at the Indianapolis 500, given Fernando’s attempts at victory at the Brickyard in recent years. The unexpected surprise was an entertaining read charting the history of Australian and New Zealand racers, engineers and team managers that have participated in the Indy 500 or forged a career in Indycar.
Without being academic, the book opens with Smailes recounts the history of the Indianapolis circuit, Carl Fisher and the “brickyard”. The early chapters are devoted to Rupert Jeffkins who became first Australian to race at Indy in its inaugural first race in 1911.
Fast forward to the 60’s and the next chapters deal look at the Indy attempts of Sir Jack Brabham, Jim Clark and the NZ drivers Bruce McLaren, Chris Amon and Denny Hulme.
The following chapters cover the careers of Vern Schuppan, Geoff Brabham (son of Sir Jack), Dennis Firestone, Ryan Briscoe, Rob Wilson, James Davison, Mathew Brabham (son of Geoff, grandson of Sir Jack) and the Indy victors Scott Dixon and Will Power.
In addition to the Indy careers of the drivers – Smailes also documents the Australian & New Zealand behind the scenes pioneers of Indycar including John Anderson and Barry and Kim Green of the successful 90’s Team Green.
Photo gallery is provided in 2 sections with the IMS archive photos with the 1st section beginning with Rupert Jeffkins at the first Indy 500 in 1911 through to Brabham, Clark, McLaren, Hulme, Vern Schuppen and Ryan Briscoe. The 2nd section traces photos from NZ’s Rob Wilson through to Will Power.
At 350+ pages, Smailes’ book is a unique review of both the history of Indy500, the participation of past F1 champions and recent success of Scott Dixon and Will Power in the modern Indy era. It’s actually a thoroughly entertaining read (even for a F1 fan).
Wow Factor/Money Shot: All the pre-1970 IMS archival photos
Suitable for: Mainly Indy history fans and F1 fans in AU & NZ.
