How Not to Be a Professional Racing Driver

Nov 17, 2024 7:40 AM

Author:Jason Plato

'HILARIOUS AND OUTRAGEOUS' CHRIS EVANS

THE HILARIOUS FULL-THROTTLE MEMOIR FROM ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHARACTERS IN UK MOTOR RACING

SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2020

Two-time championship-winning and record-breaking racing driver, Jason Plato is a living, breathing example of what you shouldn't do if you want to become a professional racing driver:

DO NOT:

· Steal a JCB in Monaco and end up in prison there - twice

· Kill Bernie Ecclestone (almost)

· Choose fags and booze over the gym

· Give Prince Charles the finger on the M42

· Make enemies with a 6ft 6" rival who is a black belt in everything

Since joining the Williams Touring Car team in 1997 he has had more race wins than Lewis Hamilton and Stirling Moss, competed in more races than Jenson Button and set the largest number of fastest laps ever.

But he's also a rule breaker who has had more than his fair share of near-death experiences, drunken escapades and more.

There is nothing sensible, predictable or considered about Jason.

But this is how he became a racing legend.

______

'As entertaining as watching him drive, a cracking read!' Sir Chris Hoy

'Jason Plato is one of the most gifted racing drivers of his generation!' Damon Hill

Reviews

Pure entertainment . . . So much fun . . . His journey from outrageous teenage hijinks to the rough-and-tumble of driver feuding tends to prompt involuntary reading noises, be they barks of laughter or gasps at his audacity

—— Guardian, Best Sports Books of 2019

Hilarious and outrageous

—— Chris Evans

As entertaining as watching him drive, a cracking read!

—— Sir Chris Hoy

I read this in the hope that it would teach me everything I need to know so that one day I can become a racing driver although I think I may have left it too late...

—— Howard Donald, Take That

Top class chauffeur, sublime broadcaster, ultimate party honey badger. These are the qualities I know and adore about JP. He taught me how to nail a hot lap around Rockingham and I've been in a speed jive ever since. Jason can burn the candle at both ends and in the middle yet still deliver the business.

—— Suzi Perry, Fifth Gear

Jason Plato is one of the most gifted racing drivers of his generation!

—— Damon Hill

Jason is a total fruitcake!

—— Jody Scheckter, Former F1 World Champion

Irreverent

—— iNews, The best Christmas car gifts

Plato is adept at telling a story. Totally authentic. There's plenty of laughs to be had and insight on offer

—— Autosport

It makes for one of the great sporting life stories . . . Forget everything you thought about sports stars and any expectations of sports autobiographies. Plato is truly an unconventional sportsman, and this is truly an unconventional autobiography, but it is all the better for being so

—— NB Magazine

The frank autobiography of British Touring Car Championship legend

—— Motorsport News, Christmas Gift Guide

There's plenty of laughs to be had and insight on offer

—— Motorsport News

An account of a larger-than-life character whose life outside of the car is just as exhilarating as in it

—— NB Magazine

Praise for The Nowhere Men: A magnificent book, full of extraordinary characters and beautifully told

—— Guardian

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