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The hardcover “Raoul ‘Sonny’ Balcaen: My Thrilling True-Life Story in Motor Racing from Prime Gasoline Drag Racing Pioneer to Jim Corridor, Reventlow Scarab, Carroll Shelby and Past” by Raoul F. Balcaen III with Jill Amadio and Pete Lyons, is now obtainable within the U.S.
This lovingly detailed memoir from considered one of American racing’s unsung heroes is the very private historical past of a momentous time and place wherein we meet a who’s who of West Coast road-racing heroes.
Sonny Balcaen grew up in Los Angeles at a time when it was an epicenter of American motor racing, nurturing an enormous expertise pool of individuals whose affect has echoed via the a long time. As a youngster, he efficiently competed along with his homebuilt Prime Gasoline dragster throughout the early life of the game. With Lance Reventlow, he labored on the well-known Scarab sports activities vehicles and was standing within the dyno room when the workforce’s all-American System 1 engine was fired up for the primary time.
A interval as Jim Corridor’s crew chief and an in depth affiliation with Carroll Shelby added to the know-how that guided him towards changing into a profitable entrepreneur—and led to all that adopted.
A few of his this guide’s highlights:
* At age 17, he constructed his personal Prime Gasoline drag racer, the ‘Bantamweight Bomb,’ which he developed relentlessly and drove to many successes.
* His function within the fabulous Scarab sports activities vehicles and insights into life with their creator, the incomparable Lance Reventlow.
* Working as crew chief to the good Jim Corridor, getting ready and working his Lotus Eleven and Lister-Chevrolet lengthy earlier than the well-known Chaparrals emerged.
* A second spell with Scarab, this time with the System 1 venture—the primary American Grand Prix automobile—plus a particular job for Reventlow changing a Scarab sports activities racer right into a road automobile.
* Onwards into establishing his personal profitable enterprise, IECO (Induction Engineering Co.), to create and promote high-grade efficiency and look equipment, with Chevrolets—particularly Corvairs and Vegas.
* His many-faceted dealings with Carroll Shelby, resulting in consultancy and even assignments as occasional Shelby American firm pilot.
Alongside the way in which we meet many different large names of the period, together with Chuck Daigh, Bruce Kessler, Warren Olson, Dick Troutman, Tom Barnes, Phil Remington, Ken Miles, Leo Goossen, Jim Travers, Frank Coon, Ed Donovan and Peter Brock.
“Raoul ‘Sonny’ Balcaen” is out there within the U.S. from many specialist and on-line booksellers.
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