BMC Competitions Department Secrets

The revealing and surprising inside story of the legendary BMC Works Competitions Department told by the three Competition Managers of the highly successful BMC/British Leyland race and rally teams based at Abingdon. The book reveals the inner workings and machinations of one of the most successful motor sport teams Britain has ever seen. Based on previously unpublished internal memos and documents, and the recollections of the prime movers, the book describes the ups and downs, and the politics of big time competition in an exciting era. An excellent and entertaining read and an important factual documentation, no motor sport enthusiast should be without this book.

The more you read this book the better it gets. Dove Publishing full of great photographs and official documents Classic & Sports Car (UK) an informative and interesting view of what went on behind the scenes ... It is worth the read, and a different take on how to describe the rallying world and teams. If you are into British rallying in the '50s and '60s, you may want to give this book a look. Petrolicious this was a 'must have' book eleven years ago and if you missed it then, it remains a great purchase in reprinted soft-back form. Old Stager This is both a fine historical reference and an entertaining book Kieron Fennelly 'We discussed at length whether some of them should be included', say the authors, 'because they may not fit with the starry-eyed view sometimes held by those days. But we decided that to "publish and be damned" was the only way to portray a complete and honest picture.' It all makes for an absorbing and somewhat different read. Speedscene All in all, BMC Competitions Department Secrets is a fascinating book, and would make a valuable addition to any BMC enthusiast's or British motor racing historian's collection. Hagerty Classic Cars newsletter A reprint, perhaps, but this softback contains lots of materials for those interested in what rallying (and some racing) was like in the 1950s and '60s. Motor Sport. Previously published in 2005 and now published again, this historical document. The book is written by BMC Competition Manager Peter Browning and so you have information from the organisation. And that is evident from the very detailed information - with printing from company documents - that describe how the cars were prepared. The Minis, Austins, MGAs, the Big-Healeys, etc. Accompanied by the many photos, this gives an excellent idea of how a competition car was being prepared at the time. - Klassiek & Techniek. It's back on the shelves as a Veloce Classic Reprint, with many good black and white photos, internal memos, service schedules and behind-the-scenes detail. Turner gives his unabridged angle on the 1966 Monte Mini disqualifications, both Chambers and Browning are candid in their descriptions of things that happened ... it's worth the money for the displayed service schedules and rally routes alone. – IRDC Quattro.

Stuart Turner has enjoyed a lifelong involvement in motorsport, both as competitor and team manager. After becoming British Champion navigator, he went on to manage the BMC Competitions. He is now the Chief Executive of the Motorsport Safety Fund, which produces safety training material to help the sport. In 2009, Stuart received the Prince Michael Award of Merit, the Motor Sport Association\u2019s most prestigious award for services to British motorsport. Marcus Chambers was BMC Competition Manager from 1955-1961, the period during which the Works Austin-Healey was in its heyday. His automotive experience prior to this included driving HRGs at Le Mans, with a class win in 1939, and acting as team manager during 1947 and 1948. He is also the author of "Works wonders: BMC and Rootes." Marcus passed away in 2009 at the age of 98. Peter Browning - BMC Competition Manager 1967-1970, when the Department closed, this was the period when the Works Sebring MGC was at the fore.

The revealing and surprising inside story of the legendary BMC Works Competitions Department told by the three Competition Managers of the highly successful BMC/British Leyland race and rally teams based at Abingdon. The book reveals the inner workings and machinations of one of the most successful motor sport teams Britain has ever seen. Based on previously unpublished internal memos and documents, and the recollections of the prime movers, the book describes the ups and downs, and the politics of big time competition in an exciting era. An excellent and entertaining read and an important factual documentation, no motor sport enthusiast should be without this book.

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