Böcker utgivna av Octane Press

In 1982, at the age of just twenty-three and halfway through her architecture studies, Elspeth Beard left her family and friends in London and set off on a 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6. Reeling from a recent breakup and with only limited savings from her pub job, a tent, a few clothes and some tools, all packed on the back of her bike, she was determined to prove herself. She had ridden bikes since her teens and was well travelled. But nothing could prepare her for what lay ahead.When she returned to London nearly two and a half years later she was stones lighter and decades wiser. She'd ridden through unforgiving landscapes and countries ravaged by war, witnessed civil uprisings that forced her to fake documents, and fended off sexual attacks, biker gangs and corrupt police convinced she was trafficking drugs. She'd survived life-threatening illnesses, personal loss and brutal accidents that had left permanent scars and a black hole in her memory. And she'd fallen in love with two very different men.In an age before email, the internet, mobile phones, satnavs and, in some parts of the world, readily available and reliable maps, Elspeth achieved something that would still seem remarkable today. Told with honesty and wit, this is the extraordinary and moving story of a unique and life-changing adventure.

Trophies and Scars is the profoundly personal, sincere, and remarkably revealing story of the life and times of NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham.Starting out with a rollicking trip through his early days racing modifieds on the Jersey shore, Evernham recounts how a brief and downright volatile stint on Alan Kulwicki's crew sparked a seminal partnership with racing phenom Jeff Gordon. They would prove to be one of the most potent racing duos in history.Evernham shares previously untold tales of how the duo led the No. 24 team to three championships in four seasons (1995, 1997, 1998) and a series-leading forty-seven wins, revealing in candid detail how and why their storied relationship came to an end.Evernham traces all the twists and turns of his life. Read about how he built Evernham Motorsports, his transformation to a TV personality with roles on SPEED, ESPN, ABC, FOX, and NBC, and his role as host of his own TV series, AmeriCarna, on the Velocity channel.You needn't be a racing fan to appreciate Evernham's inspiring journey of tireless persistence, radical determination, steadfast leadership, and fearless reinvention. For as he believes, a life lived to the fullest is packed with trophies-and scars.

Can a teenager afford a car? Even a cheap old one?Woody Ahern thought he could. He had a job after school, he had saved a little money, and, as he pleaded with his father, the main reason he and the other members of his car club wanted a car was so that they could work on it.Woody would get his car--for forty dollars. He named it Sidekick, and from the moment the thirteen-year-old wreck became his very own, Woody lavished on it all his love and devotion. He was sure that when it was done it would be the most beautiful car imaginable. He could even see himself driving Sandra to the spring dance . . . but it would take a lot of work before Sidekick was safe to drive. And before that work was complete Woody would come to learn a great deal--not only about cars, but also about human relationships and his own goals in life.Road Rocket captures the heart and soul of 1950s hot rod culture. The lean, mean story follows Ahern's hard-driving path to rodding redemption, riffs on some meaningful messages, and unleashes a fast and furious read. Dig in and learn what millions of readers already know; the world's most popular hot rod novel is a hopped-up high-horsepower thrill ride.

The Last Lap is a gripping inquest into the fast life and mysterious death of racing driver Pete Kreis, infamously killed in practice at the celebrated 1934 Indianapolis 500. In a compelling narrative that reads like a novel, author William Walker's lifelong obsession with Kreis's mysterious demise has created a rich storyline that takes readers back to the glamorous and dangerous times that marked the beginning of automotive competition. Piloting a front-drive race car in practice, Kreis crashed into the wall of Turn One, rode along the top of the retaining wall for seventy-five feet, and careened down an embankment at the south end of the oval. As the car smashed into a tree in the backyard of a nearby house, both men were killed. The next year, an impromptu "coroner's jury" of Indy drivers and Speedway experts held an intense review of the accident, and they concluded that Kreis's demise was "the strangest death in all racing history."

A fearless pioneer and a versatile and gifted driver, Paula Murphy was the first woman to pilot a jet car to a Bonneville Salt Flats speed record, the first woman to make laps at famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the first woman to secure an NHRA Funny Car license. Throw in driving a Pontiac Sunbird literally around the world, nearly dying at the helm of a rocket car, and scoring closed-course speed records at NASCAR's famed Talladega Superspeedway behind the wheel of cars driven by both Richard Petty and Fred Lorenzen, and you might be starting to scratch the surface of her incredible life.Author Erik Arneson worked directly with Murphy and some of the biggest names in motor sports to dive deep into her story and relay to the world the impact this single mother from Ohio had on the world of racing. If you find the list of feats above impressive, add the Baja 1000, Mobil Economy Runs, Monaco, Union/Pure Oil Performance Trials, as well as high-speed stunts on horses, sailboats and a snowmobile and you're starting to get close. Jump in-The Fastest Woman on Wheels is one hell of a ride.

The book traces the evolution of the Farmall tractor from the early Titans and Moguls through to modern times.The book includes well-researched accounts of the development of the original Farmall, the Letter Series, 4100, Cub, and other legendary IHC tractors, with first-hand accounts from factory engineers describing the challenges they faced.

"In Botts Goes to War, the fifth installment of the Alexander Botts and the Earthworm Tractor series, the saga continues for our hero as he wows with tractors on the battlefield and off! Alexander Botts was created in 1927 by author William Hazlett Upson, and the stories are based on Upson's work as a factory assembler and sales demonstrator for the Caterpillar Tractor Company. For almost half a century, Botts was beloved by The Saturday Evening Post readers in more than 100 short stories. This book includes the original illustrations that appeared with the stories and is part of a series that will be the first to present the collection in its entirety"--

The Last Lap is a gripping inquest into the fast life and mysterious death of racing driver Pete Kreis, infamously killed in practice at the celebrated 1934 Indianapolis 500. In a compelling narrative that reads like a novel, author William Walker's lifelong obsession with Kreis's mysterious demise has created a rich storyline that takes readers back to the glamorous and dangerous times that marked the beginning of automotive competition. Piloting a front-drive race car in practice, Kreis crashed into the wall of Turn One, rode along the top of the retaining wall for seventy-five feet, and careened down an embankment at the south end of the oval. As the car smashed into a tree in the backyard of a nearby house, both men were killed. The next year, an impromptu "coroner's jury" of Indy drivers and Speedway experts held an intense review of the accident, and they concluded that Kreis's demise was "the strangest death in all racing history."

This book is the second edition of the highly-detailed illustrated work that recounts the colorful story of how two hard-working car guys built one of the largest race teams in history.

Adventures in Ferrari-Land Set contains: 1 X Adventures in Ferrari-Land Vol 1 9781642340822 1 X Adventures in Ferrari-Land Vol. 2 9781642340846

Color your way through Caterpillar(R) design history with 36 beautiful drawings of your favorite machines. Pulled from archival materials and design concepts of real and imagined machines, this coloring book traces the evolution of early, powerful crawlers to futuristic earth movers invented to shape the landscape of this planet and beyond. With these highly detailed designs, coloring enthusiasts young and old can explore the mechanics of a variety of machines like the sturdy Caterpillar Twenty, the efficient 772G Off-Highway Truck, and the versatile 301.8 Mini Excavator. Travel through space and time where sleek extraterrestrial scrapers and backhoes mine resources and prepare for pioneering colonies. This selection will satisfy the seasoned Caterpillar enthusiast as well as ignite a life-long passion in the next generation.

Winning came naturally to Al Unser Jr. Born into a racing family, he had a gift for finding the fast line on the track. By the time he was nine years old, he could draw the quickest way through the corner on paper and intuitively apply his sketch while on the go-kart track. By his teen years, the innate sense for the fast way made him unstoppably quick when he was racing through the woods on a snowmobile, on a dirt track, in a sprint car, or on a race course. As his career progressed from the kart track victories to following in the footsteps of his famed uncle, Bobby, and father, Al, the wins grew in stature from junior titles to the very top echelon of his sport. Two Indy 500 victories. A pair of IndyCar championships. In addition, Unser was not just a winning driver--he also possessed a boisterous and lovable personality. The fans and the press adored him. Al Unser Jr. was on top of the world. A Checkered Past tells that story--but it doesn't stop there. His gifts as a driver and his easy affability were the public persona. Behind the scenes, his appetite for drugs and alcohol were destroying his private life. Spurred on by his spiraling substance abuse problem, his marriage turned volatile. When he retired as a driver, the trouble amplified. Domestic violence arrests. Multiple DUIs. Repeated visits to rehab centers. Divorce. Financial ruin. A dark dive into depression and isolation that led to a suicide attempt. Unser's battle to climb out of that cave is one of the great stories in motorsports. A Checkered Past is an unblinking look at how even our most celebrated sports heroes struggle with human frailty. Turn the page, and you'll discover an inspirational story of triumph, tragedy, and the road to recovery. - From back cover

"Internal Fire symbolizes the explosive release of a fuel's energy. The expansive force that it generates is transformed into productive work by a machine called an internal-combustion engine. Here is the story of how the engine came to be and the creative people whose lives were so entwined with the fruits of their labors. From gunpowder to diesel engines, these early powerplants are described in a down-to-earth manner as are the factors that shaped the course of their development. Interactions from other technologies, a consequence of patents, obtainable fuels, and a growing understanding of the very nature of heat itself, are all explored. Internal Fire is not intended as a textbook, but a well-researched and readable chronicle of a mechanical servant so strongly influencing life in the 20th and now the 21st century"--

The Golden Age of Hollywood was at its height in the 1930s and the world''s best tractor salesman was captivated by the glitz and glamour. In Botts Breaks Hollywood, the third installment of the Alexander Botts and the Earthworm Tractor series, the saga continues for our hero who, always ahead of his time, sees filmmaking as the future of tractor sales. In this collection of humorous short stories, Botts earns a promotion and is eager to share his enthusiasm for crawler tractors on the silver screen where his outrageous antics and blunders collide to capture the perfect shot! Alexander Botts was created in 1927 by author William Hazlett Upson, and the stories are based on Upson''s work as a factory assembler and sales demonstrator for the Caterpillar Tractor Company. For almost half a century, Botts was beloved by The Saturday Evening Post readers in more than 100 short stories. This book includes the original illustrations that appeared with the stories and is part of a series that will be the first to present the collection in its entirety.

Finding the Groove features enlightening interviews with 27 leading drivers of the 1970s. From NASCAR and Indy all the way to drag and street racing, author Hal Higdon explores American racing in all its forms. In each chapter, Higdon asks the drivers: "How do you go fast around a racetrack?" Find out how "The King" Richard Petty has collected a record number of poles and top ten finishes and how Mario Andretti's mastery over the "groove" made him one of the sport's most legendary drivers. Learn from Mark Donohue, Al and Bobby Unser, Bobby Allison, Don "the Snake" Prudhomme, and others on where to pinpoint that sweet spot on the track in this throwback edition of Finding the Groove.

The Adventure of a Lifetime Obsessions Die Hard is the story of Ed Culberson''s determination to fulfill his dream. As a teenager he was fascinated with the Pan-American Highway System, which runs the length of North and South America. In his early forties, he acquired another passion--motorcycling. It was only natural that he would merge the two. Culberson, then a retired U.S. Army officer, wanted to ride his motorcycle along the Pan-American Highway''s entire route between Alaska and Argentina. However, in the Darién region of eastern Panama and western Colombia the road is broken by an 80-mile gap filled with jungles, rain forests, rivers, and swamps, forcing travelers to detour around it by boat or plane. The area is so inhospitable and unexplored that a myth about its impenetrability has evolved over the centuries, and a curse aimed at Darién trespassers shrouds the region. But the Darién Gap, known as el tapón del Darién--the Stopper--didn''t dim Culberson''s dream. It became his obsession. In the face of staggering obstacles, Culberson suffers failure before meeting success, encountering killer bees, arrest by a corrupt law officer, cycling injuries, and back-breaking labor to get himself and "Amigo," his motorcycle, through the torturous jungles and swamps. He also encounters strangers who become friends, including Cuna Indians who guide him and share his triumphs. A story of one man''s struggle with his own obsession, this is an amazing tale of human endurance and perseverance. All royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to ALS of Texas.

The world''s best tractor salesman is back in this second installment of Alexander Botts and the Earthworm Tractor. In this series of humorous short stories, Botts and his new bride travel to Europe on a special assignment to bring the solid, American-made machines to the Old World! Nicknamed "Gadget" because of her usefulness, Mrs. Botts proves to be as resourceful as her husband in cleverly closing deals in ancient cities previously thought to have no market for crawler tractors. Alexander Botts was created in 1927 by author William Hazlett Upson, and the stories are based on Upson''s work as a factory assembler and sales demonstrator for the Caterpillar Tractor Company. For almost half a century, Botts was beloved by Saturday Evening Post readers in more than 100 short stories. This book includes the original illustrations that appeared with the stories in The Saturday Evening Post, and is part of a series that will be the first to present the entire collection. Alexander Botts and his Earthworm Tractor will charm readers young and old and entertain with innocent mayhem, timeless humor, and twists of fate.

Spend a tumultuous week behind the scenes with Kenny Wallace and the Square D team as their independently funded team fights to compete with the best of the best in the 1990s, the golden era of NASCAR racing. This rambunctious tour takes you into the driver''s seat, the cocktail parties, the race shop, the broadcast booth, and beyond, providing a look at the sport during the height of NASCAR popularity.As Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jarrett and other legends fight for the championship, Kenny Wallace and the Square D team''s battles to qualify and stay relevant in an era when a spot in Sunday''s show was hotly contested and not guranteed. Author Scott Huler spent months with the team so he could chronicle how stock car racing works through the window of the 1997 races at Martinsville and Charlotte Motor Speedway. The result is a dramatic read that offers insight on the inner workings of NASCAR team, from tire and gas strategy to engineering, car set up, and the fine points of a fabulous pit stop. Throughout the book, the author captures Wallace''s fiery discourse and passionate personality, and takes the reader into all corners of NASCAR racing, from tech inspections and RVs in the infield to cocktail parties and banging fenders on the track. In A Little Bit Sideways, author Scott Huler goes over the wall and does for NASCAR what Roger Angell did for baseball, David Foster Wallace did for tennis, and Hunter S. Thompson did for the Kentucky Derby-capture the soul of the sport with gritty, honest reporting of its colorful characters and distinctive landscapes.

Welcome to the world of Alexander Botts and Earthworm Tractors, a series of humorous short stories about a bumbling salesman's trial and tribulations selling crawler tractors. His unusual sales tactics send the machines through impervious swamps, murky lakes, and high snowbanks. His schemes consistently backfire but, in the end, he never fails to close the deal! In this book, Botts talks his way into a job selling Earthworm Tractors for The Farmers' Friend Tractor Company. Alexander Botts was created in 1927 by author William Hazlett Upson, and these stories are based on Upson's brief career as a mechanic for the Caterpillar Tractor Company. For almost half a century, Botts was beloved by Saturday Evening Post readers in more than 100 short stories. This book is the first in a series and will be the only publication to present the collection in its entirety, including five Botts stories that never appeared in the Saturday Evening Post. Alexander Botts and his Earthworm Tractor will charm readers young and old and entertain with innocent mayhem, timeless humor, and twists of fate.