Stephen South – The Way It Was
By Darren Banks
Darren Banks has followed the careers of many drivers for a good many years now and has always had a passion for the career of Stephen South, a driver with much talent, but who failed to really make the “big time” and whose career came to an abrupt halt in 1980 after crashing his Paul Newman Racing Can-Am car while practicing for the Molson GP at Trois-Rivieres, Canada, suffering life-changing injuries.
South, notably winner of the 1977 British F3 Championship, like many other British F3 champions, should have gone on to bigger and better things, but despite substituting for an injured Alain Prost driving a McLaren M29C in the USGP West—where he naturally failed to qualify the ailing car—his career stalled.
Many had South’s name in the frame for certain greatness, but that didn’t materialize. Why? This is where Banks’ book fills in the many gaps. South, notoriously reticent to tell his story direct to the wider motor racing press, has ultimately decided to talk to Banks, mainly because Banks has not written a book before and has not ever been a journalist, but has worked quietly researching the story for many years, initially with no other reason than an enthusiast’s interest and to satisfy a personal curiosity. Due to Banks having no preconceived or jaundiced approach to the subject, South finally agreed to put his side of the story on paper.
The book is a study of South’s racing career, not only through his eyes, but very candidly through those who were directly involved with, and were onlookers during, the various stages of his career, including Robin Herd CBE, Alan Docking, Bruno Giacomelli and Ian Phillips to mention but a few.
The result is a really interesting, thoroughly researched and exceedingly well-written book, especially given the authors’ non-journalistic background. It also takes the reader on a journey through the trials and tribulations of the motor racing scene of the 1970s. That world, to many, is purely a bright, shiny, fast racing car on a track competing with others, but there are many twists and turns of fate, including both personal and political reasons why particular drivers got to that position while others failed.
In summary, it’s not always the champions of our sport whose story makes for interesting reading. Many of those who ultimately fail to reach the pinnacle have something to say too. To many motorsport fans, especially in the UK, Stephen South’s story has been an enigma for almost 40 years. Author Banks has done an excellent job of cajoling South finally to break his silence and produce this thoroughly informative publication.
Available for £29 in the UK, £32.50 in Europe and £37 worldwide (all including shipping and handling) from; www.performancepublishing.co.uk/stephen-south-the-way-it-was/
