Into The Red

Nick Mason and Mark Hales
Edited by Philip Dodd

On its first release, in September 1998 by Virgin Publishing, Into The Red was hailed as one of the most exciting and most authentic car books ever published. Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and his co-author, test driver Mark Hales, had selected 21 of Nick’s personal collection of classic sports and racing cars – from a 1901 Panhard to a 1990 Le Mans Porsche – and pushed them all to the limit in a no-holds-barred workout around Silverstone, Britain’s Grand Prix circuit. 

In September 2010 the third edition of the book will be published by Carlton Books under the title Passion For Speed, starring two brand-new chapters on Nick’s wonderful limited-edition 2005 Ferrari Enzo and the exquisite 196 Alfa Romeo.

Both cars, as with all the rest, were photographed inside and out, at full blast and at rest. Their distinctive, signature engine sounds were recorded on DAT to produce a CD accompanying the book which put the listener right into the driver’s seat. The text yet again is informed, authentic and has plenty of dry wit. Throughout the book Nick and Mark demonstrate their respect and often great affection for each classic car, once owned and driven by some of the greatest names in motor racing, including Enzo Ferrari, Stirling Moss and Jacky Ickx.

Philip Dodd was publishing consultant on the project, agenting it – in the UK alone the book has sold well over 30,000 copies, astonishing for an apparently ‘niche’ car book – as well as handling the editorial direction. In 2004 Into The Red was updated for its second edition with an additional chapter on Nick’s McLaren F1 road car.

“The car book that all we lovers of machinery have been waiting for: a perfect balance between all that is romantic, practical and downright dangerous about motor racing.”

Robbie Coltrane

Carlton
Hardback, 208 pages
Published 2 September 2010
ISBN 978 1847 326 393

Into The Red
1^st edition, Virgin, published 1998
2^nd edition, Virgin, published 2005

Passion For Speed
3^rd edition

Reviews

“You’re very, very sad,” shouted the wife over the exhaust yowl of an ERA as it raced from speaker to speaker in our living room. The door slammed shut as I awaited the next track, a push start and two laps of Donington in a V16 BRM. The multi-layered howl blasted into the room as I cranked up the volume, hoping the neighbours were away, and settled on the settee with a copy of Into The Red. The CD authentically captures the sounds both from the trackside and in the cockpit of 17 of Nick Mason’s fabulous collection of historic race cars, and complements this superb new publication. 

The gripping sounds are just part of this inspired book’s concept. Stylish design, spectacular photography and insightful, entertaining text make the book a winner. Track tester Mark hales provides ‘on the limit’ impressions of the line-up from Mr Toad-type Panhard to shocking pink Porsche 962. Be it 50 or 670bhp, Hales does a serious job of evaluating all the cars without any egotistic distractions – his impressions of the 250F are the best I’ve read and Mason provides personal histories with humour and honesty.

Amazingly the Ten Tenths team has timed the cars, providing comparative acceleration figures, lap times and maximum speeds. Did you know a V16 BRM speeds from 0-60mph in 3.9 secs, a dead heat with a Ferrari F40? The book is packed with such ‘anorak’ gems. Too many motoring books are a waste of trees but this is special. Mason and his team should be proud.

Mick Walsh, Editor in chief, Classic & Sports Car

 “Builds up a wonderful impression of what it’s like to own these cars – an unusual and personal book.”

Autosport

“Some of the finest classic cars known to man. A remarkable book – what’s special is the insight into the mind of this connoisseur.”

Classic Cars

“Great beasts being thrashed to within microns of their cylinder heads. Great book, Nick! Can I come next time?”

Damon Hill

“A beautiful book in which the cars are the stars – crumpet with wheels!”

Sir Stirling Moss OBE