EN OF THUNDER

Mr. Nolan's men of thunder form a Round Table of patrician adventures bent on one all-consuming quest -- shining glory. They don't mind money, but what they're really after is auto racing's Grand Prix Cup. Among the fabled daredevils highlighted here are Nuvolari, de Palma, Rodriguez, Rickenbacker, Fangio (The Master) and nine others. Mr. Nolan accents the human rather than the automotive side of racing. Nonetheless, this is a useful introduction to the lore of the sport.