Lyn St. James was 45 years old when she was selected as the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year. Her successful completion of that race made me a fan, and I followed her career until retirement. When I heard that St. James was writing a book, I knew I had to read it.
The Ride of Your Life: A Race Car Driver's Journey offers an inside look into the world of racing as seen through the eyes of a female pioneer in the field. St. James starts with the Pinto years of her career. She landed in a lake during her first race. Eventually, she graduated to faster cars, working her way up the ladder to Indianapolis.
St. James gives readers a clear view of the business side of racing. Sponsorships, the key to building a team, are hard to attain. Trying to do so as a female in a male-dominated sport is twice as hard. The author used this situation to her advantage, courting sponsors wanting to appeal to female consumers.
Autobiographical elements are kept to a minimum in this memoir. St. James refers to a couple of husbands and a daughter. However, family members are only mentioned as they pertain to particular racing events. The book is arranged in a loose chronological order, with the author moving back and forth between specific racing memories.
In describing her successful career, St. James provides an added bonus for readers. Her determination and professionalism provide an inspiring work ethic from which others can benefit. St. James offers simple, practical advice to facing challenges in everyday life. Her approach is more effective than many of today's self-help tools. She's a natural motivational speaker.
St. James illustrates her experiences in a straightforward manner. She's not afraid to discuss her mistakes and what she's learned from them. The author also showers extensive praise on her team including Dick Simon, the man who turned her racing dreams into reality.
The Ride of Your Life provides a fast, entertaining view into Lyn St. James's world of racing. If you're looking for a feminist platform, move on. The author is a professional on the track and off. This book contains serious racing discussion in an exciting tone readers will enjoy. Race car driving is truly a science and St. James is a wonderful teacher. Her words will have you strapped in the driver's seat holding on tight for your very own The Ride of Your Life.
