My copy of the new Haynes Owner’s Workshop Manual for the Porsche 956 & 962 by Nick Garton just arrived. Like many car people I’ve known the Haynes Manuals for decades but this one is special for me because I have several of my photographs included.

At the 1985 24 Hours of Le Mans I was a passenger for one lap of the Sarthe circuit in a Porsche 956 driven with World Champion Derek Bell. As a motorsports and Porsche enthusiast it was an incredible experience. More details are listed under the category 215MPH here at Poetics of Speed.com.

Sincere thanks to author Nick Garton and Steve Rendle, Senior Commissioning Editor at Haynes Publishing for this wonderful opportunity.

In addition to the cover of the book my photographs below show the winning Joest Porsche 956B in a stressful moment during the Vérification process; a calm Derek Bell concentrating while my helmeted head intrudes in the upper left of the picture and a two page spread of Bell’s gloved hands at the wheel at 215MPH while my denim covered knee is wedged below. Profound thanks for the ride of my life Derek!