By Willem Oosthoek. The history of sports car racing in the Southern United
States featuring the top echelon of European sports cars has long been
unexplored territory. With the exception of the Sebring 12 Hours, the meets
were largely ignored by the national press, and no comprehensive research
material is available for the numerous events organized between Texas and
Florida, when amateur competition surged in the late 1950s. Yet, the South
offers a rich road racing history, often fueled by wealthy oilmen from Texas
and Oklahoma.
Many of the events were hosted on airport courses where
late-model Ferraris, Maseratis, Jaguars, Porsches, OSCAs and Climax-engined
cars such as Lotus, Cooper and Elva did battle with American V8-powered vehicles,
both Corvettes and homebuilt Specials. This book, the first of a series of
three, offers a race-by-race account of all 1957 and 1958 Southern events, from
Novice Races to the weekend-ending Features competition.
The author has scoured local newspapers of the period for
race reports and results and interviewed many of the drivers, mechanics and
owners that were involved in the competitions. He provides an exhaustive report
of the time, vividly illustrated by period photographs, many from the archives
of Bob Jackson, the acclaimed press photographer.
Residing in Weddington, North Carolina, Willem Oosthoek is a
retired international banker and a lifelong Maserati aficionado. As historian
of The Maserati Club in the US he has written numerous articles for its
magazine Il Tridente. His articles have also been published in Vintage
Motorsport, VintageRacecar Journal, Motor Sport, Prancing Horse, Der Dreizack
and Sports Car International. Oosthoek’s 2004 book Birdcage to Supercage, and
the 2008, The Magnificent Front-engined Birdcages, written with Michel Bolleé,
are the defining history of the Maserati Birdcage racing cars. He is a
recognized authority on the subject of competition Maseratis, often consulted
by private owners, museums and auction houses.
- Winner of the 2012 Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot Award
- Publication Date May 2011
- 330 mm x 240 mm (portrait)
- 264 pages.
- 343 black and white, and 121 color photographs
