Driven is ranked one of the 76 Best Motorsport Books of All Time by BookAuthority.
John Aston’s anecdotes, wit, strong opinion and acute observations recount insightful and affectionate portraits of the many facets of motor sport, its people and its places. DRIVEN takes you on a journey from Lake District vintage car trials to drag racing at Santa Pod, NASCAR racing in North Carolina and international events at Silverstone.
DRIVEN is John Aston’s hugely entertaining motoring autobiography.
This ambitious and far-ranging book begins with his early days as a teenage car enthusiast and race marshal in the late Sixties before covering the wide range of subjects close to his heart. These include the best and worst of Formula One, the icon that is Ferrari, the writer’s NASCAR adventure, and the delights of long road trips in his beloved Caterham Seven. But that’s not all, as you can read about why the NSU Ro80 was a prophet without honour, as well as what the writer thinks about the changing face of motoring journalism. Yes, one J Clarkson is mentioned ... And there’s more still, as a major part of the book is a first-hand account of a year in British motorsport.
The writer’s love of the lesser known categories of motorsport illuminates the text, as does his insight into the places, people and machinery making up the sport’s diversity. He describes the mood music of events ranging from a round of the British Touring Car Championship to historic race meetings for Cortinas and Minis, before venturing further from the mainstream with drag racing at Santa Pod, speed hillclimbs, autograss and rallying. Oh - he also doubled the average age at a Time Attack meeting. Don’t expect objective reporting, as he holds strong opinions, but they are leavened by a tongue firmly lodged in his cheek. Any reader, enthusiast or not, is guaranteed to enjoy reading about these adventures as much as the writer enjoyed having them.
A unique insight into the diversity of British motor sport
A gem created through a lifetime’s obsession with cars, driving and motor sport
A refreshing change from the diet of macho prose this subject usually provokes
Informative, funny, iconoclastic and beautifully written
Autobiography, opinion, reflection and observation
Think motor sport is all about Formula 1? Time to think again ...
NASCAR, Ferrari, road trips, the motor sport year – and so much more
This book takes the reader on the very best of road trips
