Flat Out, Flat Broke: Formula 1 the Hard Way

Welcome to Badger's latest series of reviews where our very own Riccardo Monza reviews some of his favourite F1 and motorsport books - first up is: FLAT OUT, FLAT BROKE: FORMULA 1 THE HARD WAY by Perry McCarthy

Monaco 1992 - © Sutton Images

Perry McCarthy is a driver that some of you will have heard of and some not. It's fair to call him a Formula 1 driver although in actual fact he never took part in a race! 'Flat Out, Flat Broke: Formula 1 The Hard Way' is Perry McCarthy's account of his life's struggle with trying to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.

credit: Laurence Baker

Perry had never had aspirations to be a racing driver until at the age of 18, whereby a chance meeting in a music shop with a driving instructor from Brands Hatch, gave him the opportunity of his life. His natural driving ability impressed the instructor so much that he told him that he must start racing without further ado! Perry wasn't from a rich family, and so had to get some cash from somewhere, and that somewhere happened to be from working 12 to 18 hours a day, for two years on North Sea oil rigs! Thereafter his racing career began in Formula Ford 1600 and progressed up the ranks somewhat haphazardly until he knocked on the door of F1. Actually it was Bernie Ecclestone's door, and Perry was asking for an essential document -a Super Licence. This he was granted and the door to F1 opened -though stepping through the door was another challenge altogether.

Andrea Moda Formula was a back of the grid team in 1992, and Perry was signed to them clearly as a number two driver. Even getting to a race was a mountain to climb for Perry when his cash reserves were low. The team wouldn't pay for him to travel there! So, to get a free flight to a Grand Prix that he was meant to be racing in, Perry would work for a travel company as a courier and entertain the tourists along the way! Once at the circuit, he was lucky to be allowed out on track, and spent much of his time watching from the pits, or talking to other F1 teams in the paddock, trying to secure a drive or even a test drive with them in the future. When he did get out on track, his team would provide him with a car that would usually display a fundamental set-up problem, such as being fitted with wet weather tyres when there wasn't a cloud in the sky!

Photo from Perry McCarthy's Private Collection

Although Perry's story is laced with disappointment, the comical and entertaining way he writes lifts the reader to another level entirely. Funny stories are abundant; tricking his way into the F1 paddock posing as a pizza delivery boy for Ayrton Senna; providing sponsors with fake race results from doctored newspaper reports; and pretending to be James Hunt to get into to a meeting! The more obstacles that were put in Perry's way, the deeper he dug and adopted a naughty schoolboy approach to find solutions. The black humour and wisecracks are endless; 'I looked up to Gary, and not just because I was short,' is just one of many.

'Flat Out, Flat Broke' captures brilliantly one man's determination and never give up spirit. Originally published in hardback in 2002, a paperback re-issue followed it up in 2008. The 320 pages are a joy to read, and the photos included capture Perry's character from every angle. Damon Hill's foreword is written with matey cheekiness, and sets the tone for the following chapters. Perry 'The Stig' McCarthy has definitely written the funniest motorsport book that I have ever read, and if an F1Badger Gold Award existed, this book would deservedly receive it!

Published by Haynes. Paperback Re-issue RRP: £8.99, available from Amazon here: Flat Out, Flat Broke: Formula 1 the Hard Way