John Starkey

John Starkey is a British-born motor-racing historian, consultant, and author based in Florida. Originally from Birmingham, he played guitar in bands, managed comedian Jasper Carrott, and worked as curator of the Donington racing car collection before developing a substantial automotive bibliography. His practical experience includes owning historic sports cars and competing in hill climbs, rallies, and vintage races.

Starkey’s books combine the development and competitive record of a racing model with research into individual cars. Chassis histories, technical specifications, interviews, and photographs recur across his studies of Porsche, Ferrari, Lola, Corvette, and endurance racing. His experience with cars including the Porsche RSR, Porsche 935, and Lola T70 helped establish the subjects he later investigated as an author and specialist in racing-car provenance.

Auto Racing Books

Ferrari 166 to F50 GT: The Racing Berlinettas: Starkey, Christopher Renwick, and Philippe Olczyk trace Ferrari’s competition Berlinettas and coupes from the 166 to the F50 GT. The book combines the manufacturer’s pursuit of Gran Turismo success with a chassis-by-chassis record. Technical descriptions, racing histories, and ownership details provide a reference to the individual cars as well as the development of the different models. Published in 1999.

Ferrari 250GT Tour de France: This study follows the development, construction, and competition history of Ferrari’s Tour de France Berlinettas. Starkey examines how the model was built and raced, using individual-car histories to supplement the broader technical narrative. The approach connects the production of a distinctive Ferrari with its sporting use, providing a reference to both the type and the cars that survive. Published in 1997.

Ferrari: Fifty Years on the Track: Written with Christopher Renwick and Philippe Olczyk, this reference follows Ferrari sports-racing cars from the earliest examples of 1947 to the 333 SP. Model descriptions are supported by technical information and a substantial photographic record. Appendices examine individual cars through chassis numbers, race results, and ownership, linking the manufacturer’s competition ambitions with the histories of particular machines. Published in 1998.

Lola History, 1957-1977: Starkey and Ken Wells examine Lola’s first twenty years, including the career of company founder Eric Broadley. The book records sixty-three types built between 1957 and 1977 across sports-car and single-seater categories. Its coverage ranges from the T70 and Can-Am machinery to Formula One and smaller racing formulas, documenting the breadth of a specialist constructor’s early work. Published in 1998.

Lola T70 The Racing History & Individual Chassis Record: This history examines the development and international competition record of the Lola T70. Starkey draws on research into individual chassis and interviews with owners and drivers, supplementing the model’s racing story with records of specific cars. Revised editions update those histories, reflecting the continuing identification, ownership, and restoration of machines used in historic motorsport. Published in 2002.

Porsche 911: R, RS, RSR: Starkey traces the development and competition history of the lightweight R, RS, and RSR versions of the Porsche 911. The account also considers the experience of owning and running these cars. Individual chassis records for the RSR 2.8 and 3.0 and the RS 3.0 connect the model history with the identities and careers of particular vehicles. Published in 2000.

930 to 935: The Turbo Porsches: Starkey examines the Porsche 930 and the racing cars developed around the turbocharged 911, including the 934 and 935. Technical development and competition provide the framework for individual chassis histories. The account also considers alternative versions and specialist developments, including the Baby 935 and Kremer K3, placing them within the international racing environment of the 1970s and 1980s. Published in 2018.

Chevrolet Corvette: The First Four Decades of Racing Success 1956–1996: Starkey follows Corvette competition development from the 1950s through the later generations covered by this revised edition. Interviews with drivers accompany technical specifications, photographs, and road-test material. The account traces the relationship between production cars and racing variants, including the powerful Corvette GTP, while examining the people who prepared and drove Corvettes in different forms of competition. Published in 2018.

Ford versus Ferrari: The battle for supremacy at Le Mans 1966: This account examines Ford’s campaign to defeat Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours. Starkey connects the failed attempt to buy Ferrari with the development of the GT40 and the technical and organizational work required to make it competitive. The narrative follows a manufacturer rivalry through design decisions, testing, and the pressures surrounding an important endurance race. Published in 2019.

Sauber-Mercedes - the Group C Racecars 1985-1991: Starkey examines the Sauber-Mercedes Group C program from 1985 through 1991, tracing the use of Mercedes V8 engines and the team’s development into a championship force. Interviews with drivers and team personnel accompany technical and racing history. Photographs and individual chassis records support an account of cars that competed against leading Jaguar and Nissan endurance machinery. Published in 2019.

TWR's Le Mans-winning Jaguars: Starkey traces Tom Walkinshaw Racing’s partnership with Jaguar and its achievements in international endurance competition. The account follows Walkinshaw’s development from driver to team organizer and examines the cars and preparation behind victories at Le Mans and Daytona. Jaguar’s championship success provides the setting for a concise history of the people and machinery within the TWR program. Published in 2020.

Lola GT: The DNA of the Ford GT40: This book examines the 1963 Lola Mk VI GT and its relationship to the Ford GT40. Starkey concentrates on one of the three cars built, owned by Allen Grant since 1965, while tracing the design’s wider influence. Archive photographs and restoration material accompany an account of how Lola’s work contributed to a major development in endurance-racing history. Published in 2022.