Paramount Ranch Remembered is a collection of race reports, results, driver biographies and contemporary reportage. The material is interspersed with participants’ memories of the events, which provide historical perspective.

Paramount Ranch is one of several locations in Southern California where westerns and other movies were shot, starting in silent days. A developer per-chased it and a road course was built that opened in 1956.

From the beginning, it was a source of some great racing and considerable controversy. For a generation of racers raised mostly on forgiving airport venues, Paramount’s width and elevation changes were a challenge and accidents were common. After a weekend in December 1957, which resulted in two fatalities and a major injury accident, the insurance was cancelled and the course became history.

This book unearths little-known information that makes it fascinating. The combination of hard facts plus their interpretation by personal remembrances is a potent brew that brings alive these long-ago events. Few sources evoke the times as well as this one. The book is a bonanza. Previous books by the author about the fifties have met with critical success. Many are sold out.

Shortly after WWII, sports cars became a craze. After a between-the-wars hiatus, road racing was revived in the United States. Those first fabled events were held on public streets and highways. Soon, owners wanted to race them. Starting initially in New York at Watkins Glen and Bridgehampton on Long Island, the enthusiasm moved west to Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin and on to California. Most events were held on public roads, airports and parking lots. Paramount Ranch was one of the first purpose-built courses.

The first Paramount Ranch race was held on August 18, 1956; the last on December 8, 1957. A total of seven events were held at the venue. The five sports car meets were conducted by the California Sports Car Club while the two stock car races were organized by the U.S. Auto Club.

The book is accurately labeled a “scrapbook.” There’s a section for each race meet starting with a reproduction of the program cover. This is followed by reproductions of the list of officials, entries, results and stories from various periodicals.

There are some 300 period photographs and a selection of advertisements from programs. A number of those who were there then have contributed to this scrapbook. They include Dick Van Lannen who not only raced there but helped design the course, Bob Bondurant who learned to drive there, as well as Chuck Daigh, Dan Gurney, Bruce Kessler, Bill Krause, Jack McAfee and Andy Porterfield who all went on to fame and glory.

Evans’ books are not only enthralling histories, but also have become collectible in themselves. Evans knows whereof he speaks. He is not only a writer and photographer, but also was a fifties-era sports car racer himself and one who competed at Paramount and other venues in various sports cars.

Printed on high-quality coated paper, the book is softbound with 240 pages in 8½x11-inch format. It was printed in a very limited quantity; the price for a first edition copy is $34.95.