The Chequered Flag — 100 Years of Motor Racing, by Ivan Rendall. Weidenfeld & Nicholson/ Orion Publishing Group, £25.00.

Although this is another big book in the coffee-table style, it is more attractive than most of these tomes, because it is solely about motor racing and presents us with a very fine selection of over 500 illustrations — rare and not-so-rare photographs, and reproductions of worthwhile paintings and drawings in its 400 large pages. What is more, the price is right (although it will cost £30.00 after the end of this year) and the text is up-to-date, the results of the leading races from 1894 onwards ending with this year’s Canadian GP.

The author was the executive producer of BBC2’s motor-racing coverage The Power & the Glory and he also wrote the book that accompanied this TV series, and which I am glad to note was a best-seller. The Chequered Flag’s coverage is enormous and answers many of the leading questions which confront motor racing followers, but you will have to read it to discover who was voted the greatest driver in the sport’s history. On the minus side, I see that Indianapolis 1993 has got itself under Grands Prix in the results tables . .

The Daytona 500 results are there from 1959 to date, and there is a glossary covering two pages. All the major races are described, American as well as European, and there are circuit maps and programme cover reproductions in colour.

There have been similar books in the past but this one has a fresh appeal and is commendably inexpensive, especially if purchased before Christmas.

W B