The heady days of Birmingham’s Superprix are being re-lived in a new book.
Formula 3000 cars capable of hitting 120mph came to the city from 1986 to 1990, attracting crowds of 60,000 people.
But the motorsport jamboree ended after totting up public losses of almost £5 million.
Now a book, Superprix: The story of Birmingham’s Motor Race, stirring memories of a generation ago, has been written by authors Sam Collins and David Page.
It contains stories from those who raced through Birmingham city centre and rare photographs.
It tells, for example, that Birmingham City Council spent £2.4 million on safety equipment like Armco beams, fencing and tyre walls and then had to sell it all off for just £45,000 when the race hit the end of the road because of financial problems.
The return of the Superprix to Birmingham has been mooted on and off for several years.
Last July, Formula 1 star Jenson Button, who went on to win the F1 championship last season, gave his backing to any possible resurrection.
Ex-Formula 1 boss Eddie Jordan also called for the race to be revived to boost the economy.
The book, priced at £14.99, is published by publisher, Veloce. Details at www.veloce.co.uk
