Here’s an honour: in his foreword Bernie Ecclestone says the BRP team “pointed the way for Formula 1”. Quite a compliment from the man who created the modern sport. He’s well placed to comment – he and BRP creator Ken Gregory competed together in F3 in 1951 – and adds that driver management was something else Gregory paved the way for by taking on Stirling Moss.
It’s the thread that stitches this enjoyable book together – Gregory’s vision not only in creating this ambitious team but its presentation. One photo colourfully sums that up: four Coopers in matching liveries sparkling in the sun while mechanics in matching pale green overalls polish them. To Gregory, presenting the smartest package was vital to making his privateer outfit an attractive draw for race organisers.