Books!

I've bought two...

Sports Car and Competition Driving (Paul Frere)

Track Day Driver's Guide (Art Markus)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0837602025/202-5618948-7908611

and

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1899870598/202-5618948-7908611

I picked these because they seemed the least American, if you know what I mean. Full review when I've read them completely, but I've dipped into both already...

Paul Frere is very dry in style and not particularly readable, but he knows everything about everything and this book is a good reference. You couldn't sit and read it cover-to-cover though.

The Art Markus book is much lighter in tone and is aimed totally at the track virgin (that would be me) and includes a lot of general hints and tips and some good asides, as well as the actual nitty gritty of what all the bits do. You can sit and read it with a cup of tea. There's some amusing discussion on Roadcraft too. ;) Quote: "If you suggested [this] to an advanced police driver [...] he would probably have a fit. Nonetheless, it's the method I'd recommend." (He's talking about the BSM shuffle versus rotational steering, and he rightly points out you won't see ANYONE winding opposite lock off with the shuffle.)

Both books talk about the subject in a fast road context as well as out-and-out track driving, but Markus more so - and there's definitely more of a UK spin to the Markus book.

I'd recommend Markus to anyone generally interested, so far, and Frere to someone who wanted a reference for really scary stuff like suspension setup.

Amazing what you learn though - there's two or three pages on how to sit and driving position in both books, for instance. (Happily I'm doing it right LOL)

Got two DVDs coming too, but no sign of them yet. :(