2008-04-25 Poor Relation

Definitely not as good as the other In Camera books, but still the best book ever on the history of the BTCC.

There is a surprising and disappointing reliance on old PR shots, many in black and white from an era (the 80s) when there are plenty of colour images to be found if you look.

This narrow search for pictures might also explain why there are so many closely cropped images of cars in mid-bend which not only make many pages look alike, but give limited view of the background. Such background could have conveyed atmosphere or period, the sense of years passing, but little is in evidence here.

An inexcusable example of the lack of care is the use of a modern Goodwood Revival picture when a genuine period image could no doubt have been found with some effort.

Of course, the publishers - or picture editor at least - might argue that British motor racing circuits do all look similar and have changed little over the years so a consistency of look is unavoidable. Perhaps.

In the end, it is just not as good as it could have been.