Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans

[A.J._Baime]

Thank you guys for the good thoughts. Here's another fun story:

I interviewed John Surtees over the phone twice and then asked if I could see him in person. He said yes, we set a date. I fly over, but the plane is delayed. So I land in London, get my rental car and a coffee and hit the road asap, driving south on the left side of the street with no sleep, shifting gears with my left hand (some of us have lots of experience shifting left handed...not I) and trying to get the coffee in. I get lost on these rural roads with no signs. The meeting is at 11 am and I'm eyeing the clock. I almost get killed when I sweep through an intersection into the wrong lane right into oncoming traffic. Finally I find the place: a small office above what looks like an auto parts shop. He's there, and the first thing I say is, "Mr. Surtees, I really, really have to go to the bathroom!" I never had time to brush my teeth, and I was starving. We start talking. The interview was terrific, and I was worried because I brought up the best and worst times of his career. I wanted to talk to him about his near-death accident in September 1965, how he had to relearn to walk, and how he was setting lap records in Modena in March 1966. And how in his first F1 race back, Belgian GP on Spa's "murderously fast" bends (Phil Hill's words), he wins! I mean, this guy is incredible. This guy is almost freakishly amazing and passionate. He still limps from that accident and suffers bad back pain. A truly, truly amazing man.