{"title":"Crispian Besley","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 6.0pt; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eInspired by James Hunt’s Formula 1 exploits with Hesketh and having become friends with the World Champion’s youngest brother at school, Crispian Besley competed in Formula Ford during the late 1970s against future Grand Prix stars, including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eNigel Mansell and Jonathan Palmer,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\"\u003ebut had to face the reality that his results were not going to earn him a place in Formula 1.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 6.0pt; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eUnder pressure from his parents to get a ‘proper’ job, he embarked on a 30-year career in the city. Later he returned to racing as an enthusiastic amateur, firstly in Ferraris but mainly in historic single-seaters, which have included a Formula 1 Cooper car as well as Surtees TS15 and Brabham BT38 Formula 2 cars. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eHis main focus has been historic Formula Junior, in which he has competed all over Europe, in New Zealand and America in a variety of cars including Gemini, Lotus, OSCA, Elva and Cooper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 6.0pt; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 6.0pt; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 6.0pt; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0378\/4617\/files\/Besley_car.jpg?v=1775829232\" alt=\"\" style=\"color: rgb(31, 33, 36); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0378\/4617\/files\/Motoring_Book_of_the_Year_2023_winner_Crispian_Besley_with_Ben_Cussons_Chairman_of_the_Royal_Automobile_Club.jpg?v=1775829346\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"driven-to-crime-true-stories-of-wrongdoing-in-motor-racing","title":"Driven to Crime","description":"\u003ch5\u003eOverview\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBy Crispian Besley\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePeople lie, cheat, steal and even kill for a variety of reasons, one of which is to go motor racing, a particularly expensive and egotistical sport. This intriguing book, the result of years of research, encompasses not just those who have been ‘driven to crime’ in order to pay for their sport but also characters within motor racing who have been involved in wrongdoing, sometimes through no fault of their own. Over 60 true stories cover webs of deceit and numerous crimes including drug trafficking, corruption, embezzlement, robbery, fraud, murder and money laundering. The author investigates misdemeanours at all levels, from drivers, designers and mechanics to team owners, entrants and sponsors. This book will appeal not only to motor racing enthusiasts and cognoscenti on both sides of the Atlantic but also to anyone who enjoys reading about crime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStories of motorsport chicanery from all over the world, including…\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFraud: Southern Organs (lay preachers who faked suicide and hid on a remote Scottish island); Jerry Dominelli (a Ponzi scheme that funded top-level racing Porsches); Jean-Pierre Van Rossem (self-styled stock-market guru who bankrolled an F1 team); Dominic Chappell (serial bankrupt racer brought down after purchasing a British department store); David Thieme (the Lotus sponsor who vanished).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMurder: David Blakely (the driver killed by his lover Ruth Ellis); Franco Ambrosio (F1 sponsor of Shadow and Arrows); Elmer George (American racer who married into Indy ‘royalty’); Ricardo Londoño-Bridge (Colombia’s first F1 driver); Mickey Thompson (1960s American drag-racing icon); Nick Whiting (casualty of the biggest gold bullion heist in British history).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwindles: James Munroe (accounts manager who embezzled his way to a racing McLaren F1 GTR); Lord Brocket (jailed for staging the theft of his classic cars, including Ferraris); Andrea Harkness (stripper who ripped off NASCAR).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrugs: Ian Burgess (sometime British F1 racer); Randy Lanier (drug-smuggling IMSA champion); John Paul Sr and Jr (talented son dragged into a racing father’s drug-running); Vic Lee (super-successful team owner with a dodgy transporter); the Whittington brothers (more misdeeds in IMSA circles).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther misdemeanours: Roy James (Great Train Robbery getaway driver); Bertrand Gachot (jailed after road rage in London); Juan Manuel Fangio (kidnapped by Cuban rebels in 1958); Colin Chapman (the unresolved ‘DeLorean Affair’); ‘Spygate’ (Ferrari design secrets passed to McLaren).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eSpecification\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eISBN: 978-1-910505-70-0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormat: 234x156mm hardback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePage extent: 480pp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIllustration: 100 photos, mainly colour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eThe Author\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrispian Besley is a first-time author with a life-long interest in cars and a passion for motor racing. Inspired by James Hunt’s Formula 1 exploits with Hesketh and having become friends with the World Champion’s younger brother at school, he competed in Formula Ford during the late 1970s but had to face the reality that his results were not going to earn him a place in F1. Under pressure from his parents to get a ‘proper’ job, he embarked on a 30-year career in the city. He later returned to racing as a successful amateur, initially competing in Ferraris and then mainly in historic single-seaters ranging from F1 and F2 machinery to a variety of Formula Junior cars. An enthusiastic collector of classic cars, he lives in a 16th century manor house in Northamptonshire, conveniently close to Silverstone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“The best motor racing book I’ve read in years.”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ethe-race.com\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e“A hugely entertaining book… a riotous read.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMotor Sport\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e“The author, Crispian Besley, is an investment banker by profession who has been an active competitor in historic racing for many years. His comprehensive knowledge of the sport and experience of the financial world have enabled him to put into their proper context all the cases about which he has written. Although this is his first book, you wouldn’t think so. The very readable style is engaging and informative. It is in no way sensationalist. There are plenty of images with succinct and pertinent captions. The index is comprehensive and there are three pages of references which show how extensive has been the author’s research.”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBRDC Bulletin (Ian Titchmarsh)\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“A beefy 480-page monster, a lot of book for your buck… extremely carefully researched and very well written… an absolutely fascinating read.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eDavid Tremayne, GrandPrix+\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “\u003cspan\u003eIt’s written in an engaging style, and with each tale only covering a few pages it rattles along. It’s an absorbing and informative read.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eMotorsport News\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e“A super read, and thoroughly recommended. If you can’t find a copy, try the prison library.”\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eretro-speed.co.uk\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e“Like all mystery tales, revealing all of the story here would be cruel (to both potential readers and the publisher) so you’ll have to trust me that each of the tales told are both accurate and entertaining.”\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003elacar.com (Doug Stokes)\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e“A chunky and thoroughly researched book which covers a full spectrum of criminality.”\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGP Racing\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e“Besley writes in an accessible, straightforward style across a range of subjects that will appeal to motor racing newbies and grizzled old hands alike.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eGoodwood Road \u0026amp; Racing\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e“Besley’s writing brings two great qualities. Firstly, his ability to clearly and succinctly explain some highly complex financial crimes means that what could easily be impenetrable passages are highly readable. Secondly, the nuance to his tone allows him to say a lot while objectively reporting the facts… well worth the money… a great Christmas present.”\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eracefans.net\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “A remarkable book… this weighty tome is just £40, dare I say an absolute steal!”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRacing Spirit\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“A truly wild ride… unusual, excellent.”\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003espeedweek.com\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e“A fascinating book… tales of brazen lawbreaking… well written with engaging prose.”\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuto Express\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e“If you fancy something very different from the usual marque histories, Crispian Besley’s first book should be right up your street.”\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFerrari Owners’ Club magazine\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e“A very interesting collection.”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ejustacarguy.blogspot.com\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Crispian Besley","offers":[{"title":"Standard Edition","offer_id":39616399638586,"sku":"9781910505700\/1","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"With bookplate signed by Crispian Besley","offer_id":39616399671354,"sku":"9781910505700\/2","price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0378\/4617\/products\/Crime.png?v=1653296303"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0378\/4617\/collections\/Besley_website.jpg?v=1775728866","url":"https:\/\/www.evropublishing.com\/en-us\/collections\/crispian-besley.oembed","provider":"Evro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}