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SPEEDtv.com Reviewed: The Cruel Sport
Written by: Gregg Leary Charlotte, NC – 5/29/2007
Category:Formula One
In “The Cruel Sport,” Robert Daley gives the reader a double dose of his remarkable talent. The 222 pages of prose read like poetry, and his 166 photographs offer unique glimpses into the glorious bygone era of Grand Prix racing. The photographs are far more than “snapshots"… most are unique portraits that have hung in some of the world’s finest art galleries. The text complements the photographs and vice versa … synergy at its best.
The dust jacket offers background on this amazing book. “Originally published in 1963, “The Cruel Sport’ was an instant classic, a highly respected document of Grand Prix racing’s most passionate and treacherous era. Unavailable for decades, it is now revived with never-before-published photos and updated captions; long profiles of Jimmy Clark and Jackie Stewart and a prologue and epilogue by Daley that puts 40 years of Grand Prix racing into perspective.”
Daley’s Prologue and Epilogue sandwich eight meaty chapters garnished with his magnificent photographs.
Part One: The Men
Part Two: The Machines
Part Three: The Factories
Part Four: Practice
Part Five: The Day of the Race
Part Six: The Race
Part Seven: The Price: Accident
Part Eight: Why Do They Race?
Dan Gurney actually gave “The Cruel Sport” its title. It is aptly named. Daley writes:
“The first Grand Prix I ever saw was at Monaco. May 1958. There were sixteen starters, of whom eight would die at the wheel, four of them before the year was out. Two more would crash, survive in a diminished state, and never race again.”
“Cruel Sport” indeed. Some of Daley’s photographs also foreshadow the cruel aspect of the sport. A portrait of a shirtless Jim Clark relaxing in his undressed Lotus almost appears like he is reclining in a coffin. (It reminds me of the great Jim Murray line about the dangers at Indianapolis. “Gentlemen, start your coffins!") A photograph of a pensive Graham Hill captures a moment of contemplation that is very poignant. The portraits are spectacular, but the text may be even better.
Jean Behra: “Only those who do not move do not die. But are they not already dead?” (Behra was killed shortly thereafter.)
Daley’s interview with Enzo Ferrari was extremely enlightening. The legend was that Ferrari loved his drivers like sons. Black framed photographs of his last six deceased drivers were on display in his office. The interview revealed much more about Ferrari than Enzo would probably like us to know.
Phil Hill said: “We all like to think he loves us because we are so brave and drive so fast. but deep down I guess we always knew he cares more about his cars than he does about us.”
Harry Schell claimed, “With me, racing is a business. I don’t take chances.” Daley tells the rest of the story. “If a driver has this philosophy, it might possibly save him. It did not save Harry.”
Don’t get the impression that this book is all “gloom and doom.” The portraits of Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jo Bonnier, Olivier Gendebien, Jack Brabham, Ricardo Rodriguez, Maurice Trintignant, Bruce McLaren, Wolfgang von Trips, Giancarlo Baghetti, Innes Ireland, Tony Brooks, Richie Ginther, Harry Schell, Willy Mairesse, John Surtees, Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart are “windows to their souls.” The book is full of great quotes, tidbits of trivia and interesting facts.
Jim Clark’s four principal elements of race driving: concentration, accuracy, resistance to fatigue and icy nerve.
Dan Gurney: “Every time you put your foot down, you must ask yourself … ‘Am I being brave or merely foolish?’”
“The Cruel Sport” deserves a place of honor on every Formula One fan’s bookcase. I give it four out of five lug nuts.