The Driver: My Dangerous Pursuit of Speed and Truth in the Outlaw Racing World

Let's start with the bad - Alex Roy is not someone to impress primarily with the quality of his writing - it flows well enough and is enjoyable but better automotive writing is out there (LJK Setright, Brock Yates, etc.). And the publisher could do a much better job of checking the spelling, instead of relying on MS Word autocorrect. Much of the non-English language phrases have been totally brutalised to the extent making a speaker of those languages cringe - but then again that is not a fault of the author per se. I'd also hope for slightly more on the cars involved - not recalling whether it was a CX or SM (his father), what kind of a CLK it was in Italy, etc. are slips that should not have happened.With that said there are strong suits aplenty. First of all, I have to admit to having considered long distance rallying for a long time myself. In the book Alex Roy very convincingly demonstrates the level of dedication, preparation and difficulty associated with an endeavor of that nature. It also shows quite convincingly what a strain doing something like takes on ones life, generally. Overall, I'd hope all but the most serious copycats should be disuaded. And the ones who would not be, they are probably of similar seriousness to the author.It also showed me how much you really need 'to need' to do it in order to go through with something such. So overall the content definitely compensates for the failings laid out initially. It will not appeal to everyone but anyone who ever toyed with the idea of long distance rallying on public roads - whether at fully legal speeds or above, should read it.Finally, his treatment of the Gumball 2007 - in the book as his team's reaction at the time - has been spot on. And he is clearly not running from the responsibilities associated with his activities.

A fascinating look behind the wheel of an extraordinary car with a very ordinary driver. Alex Roy is neither rich or talented but with a bit of cunning and a lot of determination becomes a big wheel in outlaw road rallying scene, a place normally reserved for millionaire playboys and their Lamborghinis. Roy is the classic underdog and comes across in his book as a fairly likeable figure. A touch pretentious perhaps - his 'Truth' is hardly a deep one, - but relatively self depreciating and capable of conveying the excitement of evading police traps and racing across continents at three-figure speeds. This book is also an excellent antidote to nostalgia and the received wisdom that the world used to be a much freer and exciting place in the time of the Cannonball Run. If you can't stand talk of computers, mobile phones, GPS and Google Earth then this might not be the book for you, but there is no denying that Roy made his tricked-out nerds paradise of a BMW M5 into one of the most unique and extraordinary cars in the world. It might not be the best book to give to a 17-year old boy who's just passed his driving test either. Roy is hardly remorseful about some of his behaviour, but compared with some of the characters in this book he's a model of restraint and intelligence. I suppose the only major drawback of this book is that Roy has surely held back from telling some stories and events or his lady friend's film about NYC to LA speed record, and the mythical 'US Express', won't have much more to add.

This is one of the best books i've ever read. When you consider that Alex Roy is not an author his writing is superb. The book has also had very good reviews on Amazon.com although a few have taken the opertunity to publicly slate Alex for what he does rather than give a true review of the book, if you beleive that everyone on the road should keep below the speed limit regardless of driving ability then this book is not for you as you would not be able to enjoy the book. In Alex's search for "The Driver" he has become a legend in his own right and the book takes you on a fast paced ride from start to finish, big hand of respect to Alex not only for his antics but for writing a great book.

I found this book a great read; the story is interesting, the language straight and situations and dialog graphic and involving.I bought this book because I have followed Team 144s achievements and growing notoriety for years. I expected war stories from Gumball and all that - I did'nt expect him to share delightful and personal insights into his rationale, doubts, fear and joy. As gracious as he is towards competitors and fiend-piloten, you'd expect him to extend himself the same liberties but most of the book is entirely believable.Above all, it's a refreshing read and a peek into life in a different world. I've ordered a stack of books to serve as christmas gifts to friends and business acquaintances; it's the kind of easy-going yet quirky book that you know instantly you're going to like.

It only takes a couple of pages of The Driver to realise that while Alex Roy may very well be the playboy loudmouth of Gumball fame, he is above all a highly intelligent and articulate writer who can effortlessly construct an utterly compelling narrative.The story should be predictable - obsessed car nut attempts New York to LA speed record - but Alex Roy carefully builds an intricate picture of his motivation through multiple threads of his early life, his family and business, his early road rallying and his meticulous preparation.It's riveting stuff - one of those rare books that you keep thinking about weeks after you've finished it. It makes you realise how much the world has changed since the Cannonballs of the 1970s and how difficult Roy's challenge was.On the other hand I am also left with a persistent, nagging feeling of despair and melancholy that I'm the same age as Roy but have fulfilled so little of my early ambition. Why wasn't it me trying to break the US Express record? Why do I just stay at home and watch this stuff on YouTube? Thanks for that, Alex.