“I suggest you pick up a copy of "Go Ahead -- Take the Wheel," by Dave Gran. Gran is an SCCA racer who's been through all the mental and physical machinations you have or will go through as you contemplate getting into the racing game. He's just captured it all in a book that's so worth its $17 price of admission.” MOTORTREND

“Most books about sports cars and amateur racing have treated the process of getting started with a chapter at the back of the book. But not Gran - he has gone through in detail and covered everything you need to know to start racing - including the dreaded quicksand of motorsports: cost estimates. On that strength alone, this book will save more marriages than an army of Licensed Clinical Social Workers.

The book is complete, fair, and brutally honest about the good points and challenges of going racing.

Let's cut to the chase - if you "always wanted to go racing" or if you've already bought that slightly rusty 1977 280Z and pulled the carpet out of it and you don't know what to do next in the three weeks before driver's school, you desperately need this book. Get it as soon as possible and read it with a highlighter in your hand. Take notes - it will save you money, pride, and stomach lining.”

Jeff Zurschmeide - writes for MazdaSport, Subiesport, and SportsCar magazines, and covers motorsports for the Portland Tribune in his home town. Additionally, he's the past Regional Executive for the Oregon Region SCCA.

“This is a 192-page guide to getting on the track easily, cheaply and safely. In short, it's the perfect book for a newbie who's interested in starting a road racing career.” Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

“I’ve been driving cars at racetracks for 34  years and I always get philosophical about this particular sport. Why do people do it? What drives them to succeed? And what do you do if you want to get started racing cars, only your budget makes you think, “No Way!”

Well, I recently discovered a book that not only demystifies racing, but also shows you many ways to make racing more affordable. “Go Ahead – Take the Wheel” is a good read that is well-organized and covers the areas that my be holding you back from giving auto racing a try.”

Mike Covello - The Chronicle

“Unlike so many other books that focus entirely on driving technique or car preparation, Go Ahead lays a realistic foundation for aspiring road racers by explaining, in clear terms, what it really takes to get out on the track and race. Gran does this by peeling back the shrouds of secrecy and hierarchy inherent to most clubs, essentially inviting the reader on a guest tour of the inner workings of a race weekend. I learned the hard way about the joys of borrowing helmets, the expense of destroying street tires and the nuances of secret fraternities. Luckily, today’s novices can skip these unpleasantries and head to the grid with the kind of knowledge and confidence that I lacked those first few events.”

Brian Joslin - Vortex Management Group

“For the speed junkies that have always thought racing equals money, Go Ahead - Take the Wheel not only fills in the behind-the-scenes information you need to know to get started, but gives you the insider tips and tricks to make racing affordable right from the start.” Eric Curran - professional racecar driver in SCCA's SPEED World Challenge and Koni Challenge. 

“Dave Gran takes the guesswork out of getting started in road racing, providing a comprehensive step-by-step process along with rough cost estimates for Joe Enthusiast to get his feet wet. Beginning with the basics, namely acquiring seat time for those who have no experience, to eventually shaving off precious tenths in your battle for the pole, Gran keeps a cost-conscious mindset in his approach, interspersed with insider tips from a regular guy who has been through it all. Go Ahead - Take the Wheel is a useful tool for anyone interested in road racing.

Road & Track

“Our average club racer is a regular person with a nine to five job and a really fun hobby,” SCCA President and CEO Jim Julow said. “Becoming in involved in racing can sometimes seem intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. Gran’s book provides clear and easy-to-follow instructions on becoming actively involved in motorsports.”

SCCA is the largest motorsports club in the world. This special edition is only available through the SCCA National office and its 115 regions.