Can-am Challenger

I bought this book from Amazon without really knowing who Peter Bryant was. However, I have been impressed by previous David Bull Publishing books so assumed I would not be disappointed.This is an amazingly enjoyable read - you would think that Peter Bryant was an experienced writer and raconteur instead of being a motor racing mechanic turned Can Am racing car constructor.The book is filled with humorous and interesting anecdotes about life with Team Lotus in the early 1960's working for Colin Chapman (including making a home made rocket to fire off in the Lotus workshop!). The author later worked with the BRP F1 team on John Surtees F1 car and he also tells the tale of being imprisioned in Karachi with Graham Hill!In the mid 1960's, Peter Bryant moved to the USA and worked for various race teams including an emotional entry in the Indy 500 race. Through hard work and dedication, he worked for the best teams before deciding that he should find a way to design and build a Can Am car to take on the likes of Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme, Dan Gurney etc. You will read an enthralling account of how Bruce McLaren gave Peter parts in the pit lane as he struggled to get his revolutionary titanium challenger onto the grid.This book is full of superb stories written in an easy going style. It's packed with many of the author's own photos and is a refreshing change from the many driver biographies which are around at the moment. I can heartily recommend the book to anyone interested in the 1960's and 1970's racing scene.

This is a great book about motor sport. Peter Bryant is a real character and the writing reflects this, the book is funny and informative and very readable as a result. It compares well to many motor sport books in that it comes from a mechanics perspective and despite covering some pretty technical issues is a real joy to read and remains very lively.

Like a previous reviewer I was not previously aware of Pete Bryant's name but I have to say that it does not get much better than this. Almost as exiting as being there - at times I was almost breathless! A 'mechanic', 'engineer', 'designer' and now a 'writer' with only an 'B.I.S.I.A.' to his name?The quality is such that there must be another book if only to fill in a few more details about his private life plus a third book re his subsequent life in 'Leasure Vehicles' etc?'Professional' writers of motorsport history please take note of this book!

Brilliant !!