The Racing Porsches-A Technical Triumph

by Paul Frere. 221 pp. 9-1/2 in. x 6-3/4 in. (PSL 9, Ely Place, London, EC1N 6SQ. £4.20.)

This lucid technical writer who knows what he is about because he has been a racing driver and still drives fast cars almost daily in his tasks as a motoring writer, Paul Frere, has, in this generously illustrated book, given us the first detailed and full story of the fabulous competition Porsches, from 904 to 917. Few who follow the fortunes and technical developments of modern motor racing can afford to neglect the story of these world-beating German cars, culminating—or should I say continuing ?—with the 900-b.h.p. turbocharged open 917s.

Frere exposes it all, after access to Porsche documents and unpublished records, in his faithful style, showing how these cars were developed behind the scenes, how they performed in races, and, as one person puts it, in “the races before the races”. Much has been published about Porsche but this is different. It is a book for engineers—and enthusiasts. That Frere, indefatigable as I know him to be, had the energy to write it first in German, then re-write it, with updating, in English, is a measure not only of his own tireless enthusiasm but of the importance of this work.—W.B.