Product Description

Although this book is centred on the 2007 World Rally Championships, there is also coverage of the IRC, European, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and African regional championships, and many national championships around the world. All the features are illustrated comprehensively, primarily by Maurice Selden's photography. The book also gives a unique appendix of results of all the major national rally championships round the world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #166832 in Books
• Published on: 2007-12-12
• Binding: Hardcover
• 212 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Pirelli's 21st World Rallying Yearbook is the rally lover's equivalent of the comic buff's Beano annual.

Packed with information on what rally fans love best--the thrills and spills of racing around dirt tracks, on the edges of sheer cliffs and even in thick snow--this book is a must for anyone seriously into the sport. Well-written and informative articles on subjects such as the complicated set-up of the cars, a breakdown of each Rally by driver Carlos Sainz, interviews with the stars, plus a bumper stage-by-stage review of the 1998 season and all the stats to go with it, make this book an essential addition to the collection.

The only drawback is the fact that the book is peppered with advertisements. The pictures are clear, if a little tedious--once you've seen one car three feet off the ground after coming up over a hill, you've seen them all. Even so, small criticisms of a well- presented and enjoyable book.

Synopsis
Martin Holmes' "World Rallying" annuals, for the 20th time with the support of Pirelli, are recognised as the leading books on international rallying in the world. Previous editions have established this annual as the leading reference book of the sport, used by the industry, journalists and rally fans all over the world. Although centred on the 2007 World Rally Championships, there is also coverage of the IRC, European, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and African regional championships, and many national championships around the world.All the features are illustrated comprehensively, primarily by Maurice Selden's photography. The book also gives a unique appendix of results of all the major national rally championships round the world.The lead feature in "Pirelli World Rallying 30" will explain in detail the way in which Pirelli will be involved in the FIA World Rally Championship and other aspects of motor sport in the period 2008-2010, when they will be the official tyre supplier to the World series. The special features will relate to the people and subjects which become topical as the season progresses.

Other contents include the regular features concerning car developments and specifications, top drivers' records, the World Championships roll of honour and a diary of the most significant features of the year.Pre-publication advertising is currently planned to appear in "Motorsport News" in the weeks leading up to the final round of the series in December. Since the inception of the series, the "World Rallying" annuals have always received favourable reviews in the motoring press in every country, in every continent, where major championship rallying is held. Magazines specialising in rally sport are supplied with review copies for promotional purposes.

Customer Reviews

A great book
This is a great study of the 1995 World Rally Championship season. This is one of the most interesting years in rallying. 1995 is the year when Colin McRae won his World Title after a great battle with Carlos Sainz.
Martin Holmes is one of the best known rally journalists in the world. His knowledge about the sport is trully amazing.
The book has very good pictures. I would recommend this book to everyone - it's a "must have" for every Colin McRae fan.

A fine reference for WRC material
OK, it's time to get straight to the point -- Pirelli World Rally 24 is primarily a reference for the results of pretty much every rally championship on the globe.

Think of any major sporting event involving rally cars and there's a 95% chance it'll be included here in this book, whether you be a fan of the mainstream World Championship, the British championship, Asia-Pacific, Middle East... Every stage victory from every category in every rally in every championship, looked at in scrutinising detail. Which as you may have guessed, makes Pirelli World Rallying a real rallying dictionary.

The WRC is covered event-by-event (around four pages for each event I recall) while many interesting features include articles on the Super 1600 (yes, with results for the 2001 season dominated by Sebastien Loeb), 100 years of Skoda Motorsport and so on. For the price, though, I don't think the articles in question are quite detailed enough to justify the high price of this book.

In fact, whole pages can be taken up by photos or advertisements which seem to render the whole thing shorter than it initially appears to be. But oh, what photos... this is genuine, high quality stuff, and it's not copyrighted imagery from a magazine either -- it's all exclusive to this one little publication. It's also worth noting that despite what the name suggests, there is no biased opinions in favour of Pirelli over Michelin. It's an honest account which sums the rest of the package well.

Overall, I'd question how it was worth buying the book, but I'm not disappointed. Even some of the most hardcore commercial websites don't get close to the enthusiasm reflected by this.

As usual, an authoritative guide to world rallying in 1999
This is again a superb study of rallying in 1999. As well as the results and comment on all major rallies and rally championshipd (great for an anorak like me) there are some very interesting articles on items such as the future of rallying through the eyes of David Lapworth from Subaru and the past heroes such as the first win for the Lancia Stratos in San Remo, 1974. The pictures are often stunning and also give an appreciation for some of the wonderful areas that rallies take place in.