Crispian Besley is a first-time author with a life-long interest in cars and a passion for motor racing. Inspired by James Hunt's Formula 1 exploits with Hesketh and having become friends with the World Champion's younger brother at school, he competed in Formula Ford during the late 1970s but had to face the reality that his results were not going to earn him a place in F1. Under pressure from his parents to get a 'proper' job, he embarked on a 30-year career in the city. He later returned to racing as a successful amateur, initially competing in Ferraris and then mainly in historic single-seaters ranging from F1 and F2 machinery to a variety of Formula Junior cars. An enthusiastic collector of classic cars, he lives in a 16th century manor house in Northamptonshire, conveniently close to Silverstone.