Customer Reviews:
 Typical of recent examples and still a "must have".... March 29, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The 2005-6 Autocourse continues in the same vein as in recent years with superb photography complimenting good, if minimal, race reviews. Jared M's review (#1 above) is misleading I think. The race coverage is typically woeful with a 'once over lightly' feel and pretty short on detail. The qualifying coverage is dreadful, a few paragraphs at most and it only deals with just a few of the 20 cars leaving you wondering just what happened to the rest of the field in practice and qualifying. This trend started in the last ten years and if you compare the current example with an Autocourse of say 1996 or 1991 or earlier, you'll be shocked at the decline. What was once a comprehensive review that covered the entire event and detailed the whole field, even back to the non-qualifiers, has become a thumbnail sketch with the photo quotient amped up in an apparent attempt to dazzle you into not noticing the editorial drop-off. It's a shame really, but since other F1 reviews can't hold a candle to Autocourse, there's no motivation for Autocourse to improve. So despite this year's Autocourse comparing badly to it's predecessors, it is the definitive article and the useful reviews of other race series from around the world are still very good. Three and a half stars would be a more accurate rating.
An improvement on previous years February 12, 2006
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
During 2004, there was considerable upheaval at Hazelton, the publishers of Autocourse since at least 1979 (which is far back as my collection of Autocourse annuals goes) which, as I understand it, meant the 2004 edition very nearly didn't get published. As it transpired, the 2004 annual did make it to the shelves, and Crash Media Group (CMG) took over publishing duties from Hazelton for 2005 and beyond. At the time of the takeover, CMG, who were aware that they were picking up probably the longest running of all the motorsport annuals, and promised the loyal readership of Autocourse (and its sister publications Rallycourse and Motocourse) that the standards of Autocourse would return to what it had been. Autocourse over the last 10 years or so (some readers would say 15 or 20) has slipped somewhat in its attempts to be more commercial, with a trend towards increasing the pictorial content with fluff tabloidy photographs and layouts and less focus on editorial content.
This pledge of CMG to its readeship is immediately obvious at a glance at the dustjacket of the 2005 Annual. Gone is the horrible montage of photographs making up the 2004 cover, and back is the traditional single large photograph of the winning Driver's Champion adorning the dust jacket, in this case Fernando Alonso in his Renault R25. What is also apparent is the increased content, which is illustrated by the page count of the 2005 annual, which stands at 336 pages, compared to the 248 pages of the 2004 edition. The increase is in both F1 content, and the other forms of motorsport traditionally reviewed in the annual.
Gordon Kirby does his usual roundup of the US motorsport scene, and Simon Arron sums up the GP2 season, which replaced the old F3000 series. There is a layout discussing the other new motorsport series attracting a lot attention at the moment, A1GP. Sportscars, GT, Touring cars, and the main F3 series also gets a look in. David Hayhoe compiles the section of the annual devoted to the major results - note the bulk of the A1GP season hadn't been run at time of publication, so only results the first few race meetings of this series are included.
In terms of F1 content, the traditional Editor's (which is still Alan Henry) Top 10 is still present, ranking the best drivers of the year. One change I would like to see in this area is a return to the attractive black & white photography that was introduced in 1994 for a number of years to illustrate the top 10 drivers. Another point to note in relation to the photography is that the photographs seem much more driver/car orientated than in the past (less "tabloidy"), and the layouts are less cluttered. The team by team reviews for some teams seem a little lengthier than in the past, although it is difficult to tell with the font sizes. The race by race reports are noticeably lengthier than in the past. The USGP report, perhaps fittingly so, covering the fiasco of the 2005 race is the shortest report, but isn't afraid to be critical of pretty much all parties who couldn't reach a compromise to ensure a full field for the race.
So all in all, while much is the same as in previous years, this year's Autocourse is an improvement, with increased content to keep those who read every word happy, great photographs for the visualists, and the return to the single shot of the Driver's Champion for the dustjacket for the traditionalists. Hopefully CMG will continue and build on the progress they have made with this year's annual over past editions of Autocourse.
 autocourse 2001 December 2, 2005
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is a must have for all f1 fans. The photographs are great, and the journalism is faultless. I 've recently started to collect autocourse annuals, and the quality of each of them is excellent.My advice is to by this book, and by the Autocourse 2005 book as well.
The Definitive Review September 10, 2002
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have a number of autocourses and I still feel that they are getting better with every passing year. If you have an interest in Formula 1 then you should have this book. It gives an overview of each team in the championship and really gets a great insight as to how their performances stacked up and what their expectations really were or should have been. The race guides are an indespensible piece of information for the serious fan, although they do occasionally miss outstanding performances from the middle or rear of the field, due to the majority of the focus being on the battle at the front, however most details are covered and in very good detail. The summary of the other racing series (F3000, F3, CART, NASCAR, etc) is a very worthwhile addition as it gives a good reference point without having to purchase other literature. Then there is the top 10 driver lists, they may not always be the rankings you expect, or agree with!, but they certainly are a good talking point, and quite well justified in most cases.
Overall the most complete annual book about Formula 1 and a complete necessity to any real fan.
51st Edition - Ferrari & Schumacher Again February 4, 2002
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is the latest edition of the Autocourse F1 Grand Prix Annual. As usual, it is packed with details of the teams, drivers and the races with many many beautiful pictures of the 2001 F1 Grand Prix Season. It is always enjoyable to read and to recap the excitement of the season. This edition is even more special if you are a Schumacher or Ferrari fan. Shumi won his forth title and has broken several records while the Ferrari F1 Team has made it two in a roll.Although DVD or VCD on the 2001 Grand Prix Season will be published soon, I still find reading the Autocourse more enjoyable.
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