Driven Man: Prodrive and the Race to Win

He began his career as a dyslexic accountant. He keeps a low profile and dislikes publicity. And he’s set to become the world’s best-known name in the business of motor sport. Meet David Richards, the quintessential Driven Man. This book is the first to tell Richards’ life story, from an unlikely beginning to the even-less-likely present: a real shot at world racing domination. Through a series of revealing anecdotes and encounters, author Alan Henry takes readers from Richards’ first competition as a rally navigator to his World Rally Championship as team principal for Subaru. As Richards stands poised to take Ford’s Aston Martin team to the GT Sports Car racing championship, and to take his BAR Formula 1 team to the Grand Prix, we see firsthand the determination and character that have made the near-miraculous a real possibility. A three-time World Rally Champion and a multi-millionaire who has made his rally car preparation company a success on three continents, David Richards emerges here as a very private man with a very large public presence — and a key to the inside workings of the most glamorous and complex of international sports.

He began his career as a dyslexic accountant. He keeps a low profile and dislikes publicity. And he’s set to become the world’s best-known name in the business of motor sport. Meet David Richards, the quintessential Driven Man. This book is the first to tell Richards’ life story, from an unlikely beginning to the even-less-likely present: a real shot at world racing domination. Through a series of revealing anecdotes and encounters, author Alan Henry takes readers from Richards’ first competition as a rally navigator to his World Rally Championship as team principal for Subaru. As Richards stands poised to take Ford’s Aston Martin team to the GT Sports Car racing championship, and to take his BAR Formula 1 team to the Grand Prix, we see firsthand the determination and character that have made the near-miraculous a real possibility. A three-time World Rally Champion and a multi-millionaire who has made his rally car preparation company a success on three continents, David Richards emerges here as a very private man with a very large public presence — and a key to the inside workings of the most glamorous and complex of international sports.

Alan Henry is one of the most respected F1 journalists, and has built up good relationships with most of the sport’s leading personalities over the years. He is currently Grand Prix Editor for Autocar and regular Formula 1 columnist for The Guardian. His numerous books include a good number over the years for Haynes, including Jenson Button: A World Champion's Story and co-authorship of Stirling Moss: All My Races.