Behind The Scenes of Motor Racing - Ken Gregory

In today's world, it is always comforting and entertaining to read of "the way things used to be".  Ken Gregory's book "Behind The Scenes of Motor Racing", originally published in 1960, not only offers a window on a particular field of endeavour during a certain era. It also evokes a period of history generally.

Ken Gregory, who sadly died last year, served in various administrative and management positions in motor sport and motoring, and also managed Stirling Moss, and later Peter Collins.

The book contains a wealth of amusing and charming anecdotes. Many of them illustrate the enthusiasm, optimism and parsimony of post-war Europe. The state and atmosphere of motor sport at any given time is often reflective of broader society and culture, and this certainly held true in the 1950s. There was a new freedom, and a new breed of personnel involved, less hamstrung by pre-war conventions.

Although the sport was becoming more "professional" and commercialized, these pages also convey the improvisation, camararderie and informality which still prevailed. Simpler times, but strong hints of trends which would grow stronger.  A "work hard, play hard" ethos is what emerges from Gregory's own recollections of those days.

One of the strengths of Gregory's account is the light which it sheds on some of the pivotal moments in Stirling Moss's career, and 1950s motor sport generally, many of which have assumed mythic proportions over the years, or have become distorted and/or embellished.  These include the various offers which Moss received from Ferrari, his dealings with Maserati and the process by which he came to join the Mercedes outfit for 1955.

To my surprise, the author is quite candid in his assessment of some of the key personalities of the time, both drivers and team owners/managers. He also supplies his own first-hand perspective on numerous contentious episodes, both relating to technical issues and human relationships. Gregory also ruminates on the changing face of the sport.

Curiously, the book does not betray any great sense of euphoria as Stirling Moss enjoyed greater and greater success. Also, it is striking how "laissez faire" Stirling was in some aspects of his career progression, leaving many key discussions and negotiations to Gregory and others. The driver's legendary sense of loyalty and integrity is also clear.

I found this to be a most absorbing read, a welcome and entertaining antidote to the more clinical and regimented landscape of later times.