Review from Classic & Sports Car, April 2007 UK magazine GP mechanic Salmon provides a fresh insight into life at BRM in this autobiography, written with Anthony Caner. From childhood in rural Lincolnshire to BRM's glory year in 1962 – when Graham Hill and the team won Fl's driver's and constructor's championships - Salmon covers it all. Peter Berthon's '55 road accident with secretary aboard, PR Rivers-Fletcher's lack of technical nous, the perils of transporting racers, the jubilation of Jo Bonnier scoring BRM's first F1 win at Zandvoort, and the frustrating development of the rear-engined P48 are all covered. Even well-reported incidents – such as Jack Brabham's Monza lane prank with arm in sling – seem fresh when told by Salmon. There's also a wealth of superb photos. First-hand histories of motor sport in the '50s are rare, and this story is a joy. Highly recommended. - Review from Startline magazine, February 2007 UK magazine This is the real BRM story as told by a man who was both a devoted fan and loyal team member of the British Racing Motors Team. Packed with previously unpublished photographs and racing memorabilia, the book traces the team's continental travel and explores the comradeship which existed between the team members. The author worked for the team for 17 years but was made redundant in 1967; Richard was subsequently recruited to rebuild the BRM cars being sold by Christies in 1981. The author details his experiences of the team's low times during the 1950's, through to winning the Driver's World Championship and the Constructor's Championship in 1962. - Review from British Racing Mechanics Club, February 2007 UK magazine I had first hand knowledge of this book’s early days and the difficulties Dick was facing in trying to find a publisher who would take him seriously. I eventually pointed him in the direction of Anthony and Vivienne Carter who had become firm friends during the publication of Anthony’s own book ‘Motor Racing’ Memories of a Forgotten Era, also a Veloce book and, with two examples of BRM cars from that period of F1 history permanent residents in the workshop, a personal interest. Because of the forgoing some might suggest a biased opinion; maybe, but I make no apology for it, this is the tale of a true enthusiast of BRM, those much maligned initials you either hate or love but, even those who choose to hate generally hold a sneaking regard for them. It is told with a passion for the job Dick undertook after leaving the Army and one that personally I understand as one who also chose the alternative life style of a full time racing mechanic. A foreword by Bette Hill leads the reader into the tale – with one or two glaring errors, but I believe not of Dick’s making and certainly not enough to spoil the yarn. Told in a simple true countryman’s way but straight to the point with a very subtle sense of humour, when the F word meant fun and gay was not a statement of sexual gender or not as the case may be and, most certainly BE, (before Ecclestone). A basic sense of survival is evident which was absolutely necessary in undertaking those long journeys across Europe during the ATA carnet days - the temporary importation of goods from one country to another - and certainly revived the memories of the difficulties and arguments encountered particularly with customs officials between France and Spain. Some of the ghosts about BRM are laid bare and some of those perpetuated in what one might consider larger and more authoritative volumes. In setting the record straight Dick pulls no punches particularly where Big Lou is concerned or his description of Tony Blair! Dick questions with reasoned argument the decision to undertake the gas turbine Le Mans challenge instead of concentrating on pursuing and retaining the F1 drivers’ and, more importantly, the constructors’ championship. It is a book that I found fascinating in the detail of the Graham Hill championship year of 1962 and subsequently with many photographs which have never been published before covering the years as it does from the V16 to the advent of the P261 monocoque cars along with the arrival of JYS. The tale is bought to a close with Dick being made redundant at BRM and moving to Lotus and finally ends at Goodwood, very apt. In conclusion I heartily recommend it and it's well worth the cover price for the photographs alone.