The Bahamas Speed Weeks

July 7, 2014

Terry O’Neill

This is the official book celebrating the centenary of Sicily’s incredible road race, and covers everything within its 480 pages: from its fantastic bas relief trophies (the first the work of René Lalique), super-stylish Art Nouveau promotional posters and programmes, paintings, original correspondence, access passes and organiser Vincenzo Florio’s megaphone, to a comprehensive (150 pages!) results section. It does not lack for detail.

What it does lack – surprising for perhaps the most scenic motorsport event of all – is beautiful, jaw-dropping images. Get beyond the 1920s and too often the photos are ho-hum, tightly cropped head-on or front-three-quarter shots. A more ruthless edit would have allowed the better photos room to breathe. As for the words, a literal in the first sentence prepares you for a somewhat tortured translation. Giorgio Nada has produced some fantastic books; this one is ‘merely’ good, especially given the price. PF

Published by Giorgio Nada Editore, £75. ISBN 88-7911-270-8

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Gordon Cruickshank

Deputy editor

Bravely ignoring his degree in industrial design after discovering night rallies in a Renault 8, GC joined Motor Sport by accident, in the Teesdale days around 1982 when Jenks and WB were office regulars and Mr Tee ruled with a rod of cardboard. He took part in some of the early historic rallies, winning one of the Pirelli Marathons, and regularly runs his Mk2 Jaguar in road events.

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