Harborough author records the history of Lauda’s incredible 17-year career at the top of Grand Prix

The only trouble was that it hadn’t been written.

So Market Harborough man Jon put his shoulder to the wheel and pen to paper.

And he’s now had his defining history of Lauda’s incredible 17-year career at the top of Grand Prix racing published.

Jon, 55, said: “I’m thrilled that ‘Niki Lauda His Competition History’ is now out there on the bookshelves.

“I’ve been a huge fan of Lauda stretching back almost 50 years to 1973.

“He was my childhood hero and a true giant of sport, never mind just F1.

“So this has been a pleasure and a fantastic privilege.”

The motor racing fanatic said he had taken almost 10 years to complete the groundbreaking 90,000-word, 320-page hardback.

“I launched the project back in 2010.

“I’ve been devoting hours every night and at weekends to bring it to fruition,” said Jon, who lives off Lubenham Hill, Harborough.

“It’s been a genuine labour of love!

“I’ve had to carry out an enormous amount of forensic research into all of Lauda’s 316 F1 races from 1968-1985.

“It’s taken real desire, drive and determination to see this through from start to finish.

“I’ve put my heart and soul into it.

“But my wife Sarah has been very understanding and supportive and backed me all the way!”

The dad-of-two, who’s sent a copy of his book to Lauda’s family in Vienna, said his immensely-ambitious breakthrough venture has taken him far and wide.

“I’ve read every European racing magazine to get all the facts and stats on Lauda’s races and do a proper job.

“So that’s involved a great deal of translation.

“I’ve travelled across Europe and spoken to racing historians, journalists, members of Lauda’s F1 teams and top driver John Watson.”

Belfast-born Watson helped to rescue Lauda, a close friend, after his Ferrari crashed and burst into a fireball at the German Grand Prix at Nurburgring in 1976.

The Ulsterman hailed the brilliant three-time F1 world champion as "the bravest sportsperson I've ever met" following the Austrian's death last May aged 70.

Watson has also written the foreword for Jon’s new book.

“It all suddenly went mad when Niki died last year.

“I’d already written 65,000 words and had to get that up to 90,000 words by July, just weeks later,” said Jon, who funds healthcare businesses for Lloyds Bank in his day job.

“So I had to get cracking, night in night out.

“We also had several hundred pictures ranging over many years and illustrating Niki’s races to licence and caption.

“So I’m very grateful to Evro Publishing for making this happen and helping me realise my dream of writing about and charting every race that Lauda ever competed in.

“I’m delighted that it’s been so well received by readers – I’ve had excellent reviews and I really appreciate that.

“I’ve been much in demand by the motor racing media and now my book’s about to be launched in the USA I’m set to go on to American radio as well.

“I never expected this sort of reaction and it’s very humbling.

“But I was determined to do my best to showcase Niki Lauda’s magnificent and unique Grand Prix career.

“He was a true one-off, he pulled off the greatest comeback in sport bar none after he was almost killed in that horrific crash and he’ll go down in F1 legend for all time as one of the greats.”

If you would like to find out more about Jon’s book go to the Evro Publishing website: https://www.evropublishing.com/products/niki-lauda-his-competition-history