Image TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage TileImage Tile
Image size: 5632x7680 Scale: 35% - PanoJS3
Page overview thumbnail

Article text

DRIVING AMBITION. By Alan Jones and
Keith Botsford. Hutchinson Group. 171pp.
$11.95.
Reviewer: PAUL GOVER
A.LAN Jones has done more for Australian
motorsport in recent years than anyone since
Jack Brabham.
The recently deposed world champion gave his
countrymen someone to cheer for in the world cham
pionship series, but more importantly his success has
promoted a new awareness of the sport which brought
him his fame.
This book does the same thing for Jones himself.
Written in collaboration with Keith Botsford, it
gives a warts-and-all insight into Alan Jones, the man
and the racing driver.
It chronicles his rise to the pinnacle of one of the
world's most demanding pursuits.
But more than that, it is a straight-from-the-hip
analysis of the man's background, values and opinions.
The book has not been welcomed in all circles, for
it has some blunt and even harsh things to say.
But that is Jones, and as he points out in the book
he is not in the habit of making excuses for the way
he is.
Among the things which has got him into trouble
are his attitude to women, and his comments about
various rivals.
"At this stage I don't have a huge respect for
women . .. and I hold to the old-fashioned view that
their place is in the kitchen or in bed", is one of the
more controversial things that he has to say.
Jones also puts his attitude to death fairly bluntly.
"I think it is fair to say that we're a callous lot
about death.
"We are bloody mercenaries and we can't get
hysterical every time someone gets killed".
The book is written in an unusual style, which is
obviously the result of various interviews and con
versations with Botsford.
Jones's own words are interspersed with Botsford's
explanation and analysis of what he says.
For someone familiar with Jones background and
career, and motorsport in general, this continual
explanation be off-putting.
But for most people it will help clarify what Jones
means.
There are also comments by Jones's mentor and
team manager Frank Williams and his personal friend
none Help
Charlie Crichton-Stuart, which add to the analysis of
Jones.
The book works its way chronologically through
Jones's career, working on to a general insight into
the man.
Jones's words give a clear picture of the strains
and pressures on a driver at the top of the sport, and
the enjoyment too.
It is a telling commentary on the man who has
earned a reputation as a "nice guy" that he has taken
the time to include a thank-you to all the people who
helped him win the world title.
For statistics nuts there is also a complete break
down of Jones's major race results, while he also gives
a full background to each of the races in his title
winning year.
For any motorsport enthusiast 'Driving Ambition'
is a must.
Also for anyone who has ever watched a grand prix
telecast, or wondered what grand prix racing is really
all about, it provides the answers and a good read.
$