A THRILLING book giving a shocking insight into when the Grand Prix was out of control has been released with the help of a Saddleworth filmmaker and writer.
John Matthews was the co-director and producer of the original seminal film ‘Grand Prix the Killer Years’ which tells the story of mechanical failures, lethal track designs, fire and incompetencewhich plagued the sport during the 1960s and 70s. 
Featuring many famous drivers including Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, Emerson Fittipaldi and John Surtees OBE, the film explores how Grand Prix drivers grew sick of their closest friends being killed and finally took control of their destiny.
It was hailed as ‘terrific’ by the Guardian and a ‘sobering, shocking documentary’ by the Daily Telegraph.
And now John has edited a book by the same name to delve deeper into the disasters and secrets through a wider range of interview transcripts and stories.
John, who runs Manchester-based film company Bigger Picture, said: “When we made ‘Killer Years’, most of the amazing interviews had to be left out, which I found very frustrating.
“When you make a film you only end up using about three per cent of the material – the rest ends up on the cutting room floor.
“So here we share with you pretty much all of the interviews as they were said. There is hardly if any editing at all. What we have here is a record, an important part of sport history, recorded forever.”
From World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi crying in the car park, to Sir Jackie Stewart and Jackie Oliver narrowly avoiding death, the interviews offer a candid insight into the time when a driver being killed in a Grand Prix had become normal.
The hardback book is on sale now for £19.99. The DVD is also available for £19.99 – or buy both for £24.99 for save £14.
For more information about the book or to purchase it, visit www.killeryears.com
You can also follow John on Tumblr http://macymetisse.tumblr.com/ or Twitter @killeryearsteam
COMPETITION!
ONE LUCKY reader can win a signed hardback copy of ‘Grand Prix the Killer Years’ – all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is answer this question:
What is the name of John Matthew’s film company?
Email your answer, with full name, address and daytime telephone number, to aimee@saddind.co.uk or write to: Killer Years book competition, Saddleworth Independent, 5 Kinders Crescent, Greenfield, Saddleworth OL3 7JQ.
The first correct entry drawn after the closing date of Wednesday, December 17 wins the prize.
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