Those were the days

The Superprix was a motor racing meeting held over August Bank Holiday on a street circuit in the centre of Birmingham, from 1986 to 1990. The principal event was the Formula 3000 Championship race, but support races included touring cars and sports cars. The idea of a motor race in the heart of England's nlotor city (to emulate the Monaco circuit) had been mooted as early as 1966. In the end, the city's arterial roads round the Bull Ring and the city centre provided one of the most exciting racing events ever staged in the UK.

This is the inside story of the workings of the MG Design and Development Office from 1956 until MG's closure in 1980. It explains how the various models were conceived, drawn, planned and developed by a small team of engineers. It also shows how the constant evolution of BMC, including the Triumph-Austin merger, frequently changed input to, and control of, the department. Safety legislation, mainly imposed by the United States, could have killed MG, but detailed here are the design changes that allowed the MGB, and other models, to survive. Trying to remain as individual as possible, MG developed record-breakers and a unique Competition Department during the period covered by this book. Special cars were built and tested, and prototypes for the MGB replacement, using engines from any part of the group, were drawn up. The continuing support of the American market was essential and much valued, but holding company, British Leyland, prioritised the TR7 - a decision that, ultimately, led to the closure of a successful, happy MG company.

Goodwood in the sixties epitomised all that was good about the British motor racing scene. It was a circuit where anybody could have a go, and yet the established greats like Stirling Moss would be there too. It was a circuit where Minis rubbed shoulders with Ferraris and Ford Galaxies, MGBs diced with Triumph TRs and Morgans, and clubman's races were as keenly fought as RAC Tourist Trophy events. Most of all Goodwood was accessible and informal: spectators with no special privileges could get really close to the action, examine the cars in the paddock, and meet the great drivers of the day. Tony Gardiner was a regular spectator at Goodwood before the popular Sussex track was forced to close in 1966. His fascinating photos remind us of an era of motor racing very different from today's, and illustrate an amazing variety of machinery, from Lotus Cortinas to Aston Martin Zagatos.

Brighton and the automobile go hand in hand. The ever-popular seaside town is perhaps best known today for the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, but it also hosts countless other motoring events and charity runs. All types of vehicles, ranging from commercials to vintage motorcycles and gatherings of single marques from MGs and Minis to classic Volkswagens, flock to the seafront every year. Celebrating its centenary in 2005, the Brighton National Speed Trial is one of Britain's oldest motor sport events and despite a few gaps throughout the years, they are the most consistent motoring event in the town's history. The book focuses on the events that took place during the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties. It covers the history, development and wide range of cars that have competed in the trials. The book also includes a complete list of fastest times recorded at the event, from the 1905 record time of 23 seconds for the flying start kilometre, to the time of 10.25 seconds for the standing quarter mile in 2003. Written by the professional illustrator, Tony Gardiner, it is the only book so far to cover the popular annual event, so is essential reading for anyone with an interest in this unique part of Britain's sporting heritage. With over 140 colour photographs to thumb through, it's an atmospheric account of the golden age of speed trials and an excellent book to have on your coffee table.

Changes to regulations for sports car racing in the late 1970s paved the way for a golden era of endurance racing in the 80s, with the likes of Porsche, Lancia, Jaguar and Mercedes all vying for the World Sportscar Championship. The Silverstone 6-Hour and 1000km races became a cornerstone of this Championship and the event was often used by the teams as a warm-up to the all-important Le Mans 24-Hour race, which followed it. This book charts the progress of the races, year-by-year from 1976, through the era of the Group C cars, up to the end of the eighties, with previously unpublished accounts and photographs of each event. It includes maps of the circuit, showing changes over the years and detailed results from each of the races. As an ordinary spectator, Chas Parker visited each of the events (except one) over the years, and amassed an impressive collection of colour transparencies taken from the spectator enclosures, the paddock, and during pits walkabouts.

During the 1970s, Brands Hatch was the busiest motor racing circuit in the world. Using previously unpublished photographs and accounts of events, this book provides a personal view of activities and changes at the track during its heyday and paints an affectionate picture of motor racing at its very best.