Books on Land Speed Records

[rjohnson]

I’m interested in learning more about land speed records, particularly pre-World War II. Do any of you have suggestions on the best books covering this topic? Thanks.

[Sea Fury]

Check out the Scarf and Goggles channel on YouTube. TONS of interesting vids on this very subject.

[rjohnson]

Thanks.

[JThur1]

The only fairly recent one that comes to mind is "Speed Duel" by Samuel Hawley, which focuses on the frenetic LSR scene in the 1960s.

[Pelican Joe]

I've looked for something similar, but have yet to find anything. I second checking out the Scarf and Googles channel, however. Top notch.

[helioseism]

In my opinion the best book on the LSR is "Land Speed Record" by Posthumus & Tremayne but it is out of print. Link
An adequate book that is in print is "Quest For Speed" by Barry John. The illustrations in this book are nice accurate drawings of all the record cars. Link.
A book to stay away from is "The History Of Speed" by Martin Roach.

[ensign14]

Plenty on individual drivers/attempts as well; The Fast Set by Charles Jennings (Segrave/M Campbell/Cobb); Parry Thomas by Hugh Tours; Bluebird on the Dead Lake by John Pearson; Thrust by Richard Noble.

Racers Apart by David Tremayne has a chapter on the 1920s attempts, probably the best source on Lee Bible.

[Doctorindy]

Speed on Sand by William R Tuthill focuses on the early years of land speed runs at Daytona Beach.

[helioseism]

Just noticed a new relevant book - Fast on the Sand: The Daytona Beach Land Speed Record Runs of 1928 by Aldo Zana, published by McFarland. Link

[editor]

Harvey Shapiro left his sportswriter job at the Dayton (O.) Daily News to author books on the land speed record.