The Bahamas Speed Weeks

by O'Neil, Terry

• ISBN13: 9781845840181
• ISBN10: 1845840186
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-07-15
• Publisher: Motorbooks Intl

Summary

The vision of one man, Captain Sherman "Red" Crise formed the basis for what was to become the Bahamas Speed Weeks, a series of motor races held on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas. They started in the mid 1950s and continued for 13 years, before ending due to a mix of political decisions, ill fortune and a shift in the direction motor racing had taken over that period of time. These years were described by many commentators as the golden age of motor racing, where internationally acclaimed drivers attended the Speed Weeks to mix with the many amateur racers from America who came to enjoy the scenario of sun, parties and racing. For many drivers the social scene was as important as the racing, and in latter years prize money was an extra incentive to turn up. This well researched account tracks the history of the Speed Weeks with its roller-coaster ride throughout its 13 years existence, and includes stunning photos, complete statistics, and more. With a foreword by Denise McCluggage.

Author Biography

Terry O’Neil has lived the majority of his life in the Midlands in England, where he worked for what was then a thriving motor industry within the sales and marketing departments for the Rootes Group (Hillman, Humber and Sunbeam) based in Coventry, then with British Leyland (Austin, Morris and MG) based in Birmingham. Terry always had the ambition to own a Ferrari, and this he achieved in 1991. Since that time he has been an active member of the Ferrari Owners Club of Great Britain, and enjoys the role of Archivist for the Club. He has written numerous articles for the Ferrari Club magazine and has contributed articles to Cavallino magazine, Ferrari Market Letter, the Austin-Healey Club of America magazine and Vintage Racecar Journal. His enthusiasm for researching less well-known races led him on a six-year adventure, culminating in his first book, The Bahamas Speed Weeks. He is currently working on a history of the Sports Car Club of America races from 1950 up to the end of 1955.  

Denise McCluggage is a journalist and author, as well as a former race car driver. As a driver she has won trophies on three continents in rallying and racing. Chief among her victories: first GT, Sebring (Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta); Copa de Damas, Grand Prix of Venezuela (Porsche 550 RS); and 1st in class, Rallye de Monte Carlo (Ford Falcon). As a journalist she is the only woman to have won the Ken W. Purdy Award for automotive journalism. She was in at the inception of Competition Press which is now AutoWeek She has a syndicated column called "Drive, She Said" in some 90 newspapers across the US and Canada.