ROY SMITH
Features
The first comprehensive study of the 914 Porsche in competition
Covers the complete development of the factory GT cars
Demonstrates the development of the 914 privateer cars
Includes many constructor and driver details from interviews
Brings new information, new images, and many surprises from behind the scenes
Shows the true, little known performance of the 914
Reveals the sheer volume of podium positions achieved
Raises the awareness of a forgotten model, that was thought out-of-step with Porsche thinking
Explores the myths, bad vibes, politics, and what might have been, had the car been properly developed
Shows how the American racers truly made the 914 perform well enough to be a championship winner!
Description
This is a study about a remarkable little car that, on its appearance in 1969, was thought, at best, a mish-mash of ideas, and not a proper Porsche. Its also a story of the little guys
the privateers and dealer teams that did most of the development that turned the 914 into great little racer.
Synopsis
There are those still today who see the Porsche 914 model as a funny little car, compared to the immortal 911. Granted, in its day professional Rally drivers were not keen on the 914: they were nervous driving it at the limit. Yet the records show that 914s were driven to at least 41 class wins, and at least 71 positions on the other two steps of the podium in Regional, National, and International Rallies.
Racing on the circuits of Europe, 914s came home first in their class, and even took overall victory many times. In the USA, in IMSA GTU championship, in nationals, and internationals, it was the same story and thats not counting the multitude of SCCA regional races. The 914 first raced in 1970
the last? Who knows: even now theyre still used in the USAs SCCA GT classes.
This is a study in pictures, statistics, factory information, and interviews, that will show the Porsche 914 in a whole new light.
Independent Reviews
Its a big, solid, hardback with some gorgeous photography of little-seen competition cars from the big and small teams. There are plenty of interviews and detailed results. A lovely book for any 914 fan.
All Torque magazine
Porsche the Racing 914s is a study in pictures, statistics, factory information, and interviews, that will show the Porsche 914 in a whole new light.
Press-Filmbüro Steinmill-Hommel
Be prepared to be surprised, Smith says in the Introduction but you dont have to take only his word for it
SpeedReaders
It is one of those books which you want to keep dipping back into and is a must for any Porsche enthusiast, whether youre a 914 owner or just a fan of the marque.
Classic Porsche
The book is a solid piece of work, with a rich racing history.
AUTOMOBILSPORT
Nicely produced, handsomely illustrated (with the odd 911 shot creeping in, obviously) and propped up by a comprehensive results appendix, this is a thorough overview of perhaps the most overlooked of all Porsche racers - a fact reflected by a limited-edition print run of just 1500 copies.
Motor Sport
If you are interested in the GT racing sport, you should definitely have fun with this well-made book.
www.zwischengas.com
Over 320 pages the author paints a picture of a little car that actually could win, and became recognized for its handling and reliability on the track despite initial reservations. Filled with photographs from the period, time sheets, and records, its great to see a well written and researched book about the 914. Today, there are few worthy books on the 914, and even less about the models racing history.
Petrolicious
If you are a Porsche enthusiast, and you are looking for a good read to while away those dull, cold winter nights, this book could be just what you are looking for. But be warned, this book only has a print run of 1500 copies, so make sure you get yours, it will surprise you on many levels.
Glen Smale
Whilst Smiths book naturally concentrates on the circuit racing achievements of the VW Porsche, he delves into the theory behind midengined cars before taking a really in-depth look at the cars racing history both in Europe and America. Taking the racing story up to date, covering the various cars used in historic racing and the personalities involved.
Rallying is not forgotten - in rallyings own chapter, the author details the ideal build requirements for a planned 1970 rally debut, postponed until the following year. The original wish-list details all of the proposed lightened panels and various ideal modifications - it makes for fascinating reading.
Old Stager
A stunning book on the - still an inferiority complex leading - VW-Porsche 914 ... Be quick, because the edition is limited to 1,500 copies.
Klassiek & Techniek
Roy Smith tells you all need to know about the Porsche 914 in a way you cant stop reading ... Porsche the racing 914s is a book that should be in any Porsche or race library.
Liebe su Ihm (love for Porsche)
Its scope is hugely impressive, from circuit racing to rallying and even a section listing period race records.
Classic & Sports Car
You probably think you know your Porsche history inside out. You wont until you read this book. Superb.
Classic Cars.
Excellent and limited to just 1500 copies.
Total Kit Car
Additional Information
The Porsche 914 is a forgotten gem, its racing exploits lost in the mist of time: this work explains all.
The first time a complete work has been dedicated to the racing exploits of the Porsche 914.
The book includes much previously unpublished factory information and photographs, and describes all the detailed body and chassis changes from prototype, and from race to race. Including new and previously unpublished information, the authors access to the archives of Porsche, in Stuttgart, has enabled him to study all the available in house memos and commands from the time. These details expose the ideas, the rifts, the mistakes and the successes. Also included are detailed interviews from those involved at the time both in Europe and the USA, Porsches biggest market and where much of the racing took place, and where some of the biggest names in American motor racing cut their teeth on the 914 model. Little known details about the true capabilities of the four-cylinder model, as opposed to the more popular six-cylinder, are described, along with detailed specifications for the race and rally cars. Concludes with a huge record of racing statistics, including not just the factory cars in the early years, but most of the privateers races too. For this is, above all, a book for the many little guys, telling the stories of the non-factory teams in National and International races in Europe, and in IMSA in the USA.
