Folks fond of discussions of the benefits of 50/50 heavy-duty Gabrieal shock absorbers and how a hi-capacity trick Bertils oil pump can trip up even the most careful mechanic will enjoy Silent Thunder, Leonard Miller’s memoir of a life spent racing cars.

But folks intrigued by one man’s determination to find a way into the sport he loves despite the fact that the sport is white and he is black should read it, too.

Miller’s patience is astonishing, and his story-telling ability is better than fair. His battles against other cars and the clock are often intriguing, and his on-going war against the racism common in auto racing when he was most active makes for compelling reading. Silent Thunder won’t be a best-seller, but it provides a look into a little corner of the sports world with which most fans will not be familiar.