Inside Track - Phil Hill, Ferrari's American World Champion - His Story, His Photography - Connoisseur's Edition

THE PHIL HILL BOOK WINS PRESTIGIOUS PRIX BELLECOUR ‘CAR BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018’

Awarded by l’Académie Bellecour, France. Chosen by unanimous decision of the world’s most experienced and expert motoring book jury. Presented at the Automobile Club de France, Place de la Concorde, Paris, France on June 12th 2019.

The photograph shows the Prix Bellecour presentation at the Automobile Club de France, Paris: (Left to right: Antoine Prunet and Franck Levotre of l’Académie Bellecour, publisher Sir Paul Vestey and author Doug Nye.

Overview

Limited to just 200 signed and numbered copies, combining the two Collector’s volumes and the Autobiography, all three volumes are leather-bound and presented in beautifully appointed clamshell cases. One containing the two photographic volumes of the Collector's Edition and another The Racing Autobiography

Covering all 90 events that Phil photographed “for the folks back home” between 1950 and 1962, and including his full collection of more than 1250 supremely evocative (and often vanishingly rare) images, ‘Inside Track’, the Collector’s Edition, comprises two volumes lavishly produced on the finest Italian art paper. Both volumes are hardbound with cloth-covered cases, inset front and back with photographs and presented in a single cloth-covered slipcase.

Volume 1 covers the years 1951 to 1956, from Phil’s visit to Pikes Peak as a spectator in 1951, through his early minor-league races around the USA, leading to the start of his international racing career on the Carrera PanAmericana in Mexico in 1952 and at Le Mans in 1953. Volume 2, meanwhile, covers Phil’s great years with Ferrari from 1957 to 1962, a magical era for motor sport during which he famously won the Le Mans 24-Hours three times and, of course, the Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship in 1961.

Included in both volumes are many behind the scenes photographs taken at the great circuits of Monaco, Monza, Rouen-les-Essarts and of course Le Mans, and also at such lesser known but wonderfully exotic sports-car-racing venues as Havana, Buenos Aires, Hawaii, Caracas and beyond. Neither is behind the scenes development ignored, as Phil’s camera also captured numerous images of testing on the fabled Modena Aerautodromo. And then he takes us to the Bonneville Salt Flats for Land Speed Record running with MG. Photographed almost exclusively on Kodachrome, ‘Inside Track’s photographic colour reproduction has to be seen to be believed.

Interviewed at length by his longstanding friend Steve Dawson, son Derek and renowned motor sport historian Doug Nye, Phil provided fully detailed and often hugely entertaining captions for every gorgeous image. A comprehensive list of his race appearances and results will also be included, together with a full index covering each volume.

The following quotations are just a selection of the feedback received so far:

“After some two hours looking at the book, I just had to say it is The Best Motoring book I have seen...…..Just had to say how much I appreciate the work that has gone into this quite superb production.” - JB, UK

"I received my copy of 'Inside Track' today…what can I say….WOW! Far more impressive than I even imagined!" - MM, USA

"Deep and heartfelt congratulations on the book. It is absolutely beyond anything I have ever seen. Fabulous!” - PS, USA

“I received my Collectors Edition of ‘Inside Track’ yesterday and I just wanted to congratulate you on one of the finest books that I have seen - a fantastic addition to my (rather large!) collection.   I am eagerly awaiting the Autobiography and the three volumes are a fantastic reflection of a quiet and modest man who was a great driver. Forgive me writing but I wanted to thank you…” -  T. O’R, UK

“This is an unbelievable book!” - ML, USA

"My copy arrived yesterday. I must say that it is truly a superb effort. It is as good as anything I have ever seen of its type. Warmest congratulations on a real triumph!” - PS, USA

“I just finished reading and scrutinizing the fantastic pictures of ‘Inside Track’…  The book and all the captions and texts gives a so intimate image of a person you cannot not help but be fond of  and respect as truly a gentleman. Thank you for your efforts to bring this book to be published…” - PB, France

“I read the first of the two volumes … this past weekend. Fabulous!  Congratulations…” - RA, USA

"I was up until midnight last night having a browse at Vol 1...reading some of the captions one can quite easily hear Phil Hill's voice describing the pictures. He had such an engaging enthusiasm for all things automotive that he draws you in…”  - PH, UK

“Arrived safely today. Magnificent! …I think it’s immediately going on my top ten list, not as a reference book, but as one of a handful that really capture an era…” - ML, USA

“Yesterday I received the two ‘Inside Track’ Volumes on Phil Hill… A million thanks and all my congratulations for an absolute masterpiece that far exceeded, for the images as well as for the text, my stratospheric expectations. Right now, with what you have done, I see months of pleasure in front of me and a big problem for you : What next for you after this masterpiece?” - AC, Belgium

“It is a fantastic book. Definitely one of the best ever on an automotive subject. Thanks for the work to you, the others, and the Hill family!” - GT, USA

“Earlier this week a huge box arrived… Four hours later I felt I'd found a time machine. Phil's remarkable colour images, and the way the text and fascinating captions capture his character is an amazing record.  I could almost hear his voice as I read. From that reticent shot outside Versailles in 1952 to the frustrations of the 1961 season, the journey gripped me all the way…”

“No book previously has captured this era so vividly, and in such a unique style. The great man would be very proud of the achievement. Congratulations to you all.”