In a nutshell:

When James Hunt won the Formula One drivers’ championship he was the latest in a long line of British talent to do so. Few people expected it would take sixteen years for the next British champion to arrive.

In “The Lost Generation”, David Tremayne looks at the careers of three British racers who had the talent to make it to the top, but whose promising careers were tragically cut short.

Who wants it?

Anyone with an interest in British sport, and motor sport in particular. Tremayne covers F1 for “The Independent” and admits that this study of three lost talents is a book he has wanted to write for years. He has done justice to a very awkward subject matter.

Stats entertainment?

Not really, but there is an awful lot of information crammed in. “The Lost Generation” basically offers biographies of the three drivers: Roger Williamson, Tony Brise and Tom Pryce, two of whom were killed in racing accidents and the third, Brise, perished in the same air crash that killed twice champion Graham Hill.

Pictures?

There is a wealth of excellent photography – driver portraits and action shots that evoke the spirit of the time. But some of the crash photographs are unavoidably graphic.

Top fact:

In the rough and ready days of 1970s Formula One there often were too many entrants for the more lucrative events. F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone blocked Tom Pryce’s entry to the Monaco Grand Prix one year, so the Welshman entered the Monaco Formula Three race instead and blitzed the field.

Essential rating:

8/10. A fascinating read - but harrowing in places.

Review by Keith Collantine

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