Rush to Glory

Formula 1 Racing's Greatest Rivalry

By: Tom Rubython

Narrated by: James Langton

The greatest duel in Formula 1 history: the 1976 season between Austrian Niki Lauda and Britain's James Hunt. As the '75 season ended, Hunt was out of Formula One racing while Lauda was world champion and the odds-on favorite for '76 with a year's contract ahead of him and Enzo Ferrari begging him to sign a multi-year deal. James Hunt, without a drive until Emerson Fittipaldi broke his McLaren contract, grabbed the McLaren drive with both hands and the help of friend John Hogan. The result? Two drivers in an epic 16-race battle across the globe for the '76 title, ultimately decided by a single point.

Fame, wealth, drugs, sex, and the rest of globe-trotting 1970s Formula 1 racing are encompassed in the Lauda vs. Hunt duel. At the '76 German Grand Prix, Lauda nearly died in a fiery crash, only to emerge six weeks later, severe burns on his face and head, to pursue his rivalry with Hunt. It all came down to the last race, a rain-soaked affair in Japan, where Hunt won the championship by the slimmest possible margin. The book is a study in contrasts during an era of Brut aftershave and disco sex parties. James Hunt, legendary philanderer and Formula 1 rock star, versus supernatural racer Niki Lauda, who in '75 set the first sub-seven minute lap around the ring...

©2013 Tom Rubython (P)2013 Tantor

Don’t worry about if you have seen the movie or not

I learned a lot about the season, as well as both Niki and James both. Wonderful book for F1 fans and a good reading as well.

Fantastic, highly recommend

Loved the story and the narrating. Enjoyed it so much, I actually liked being in traffic just so I could listen to it more.

I laughed out loud a dozen times

When i first started listening, i didn't realize i was listening to a foreword and got the impression I had made a mistake. I was hearing basic info and nothing I didn't already know.

Then the actual book started. This book goes fairly deep into both Lauda and Hunt's stories, along with some of the supporting cast. This goes way beyond the recent movie adaptation and I found myself always looking forward to the next listening session.

The narrator does an excellent job and some dry humor, often just due to the absurdity of actual events, comes through nicely thanks to his delivery.

Well worth it for any F1 fan or just those that enjoy a good real life story.

The Playboy and The Rat

Thankfully I’d read this, The 24 Hour War, and Go Like Hell long before the movies hit the screens (for the uninitiated the ‘other’ flick being Ford v Farrari). I’d like to take this moment to publicly apologize to my girlfriend for chiming in every 30 seconds to correct a silver screen omission / liberty / embellishment/ etc.

Long live Motorsport.

captivating

great book to listen to for people passionated by the world of f1 and behind the scene