Race Across the Stars — John Cleve

Every ten years the ten best ship captains compete in a deadly test of endurance and skills spanning half the Galactic Hub - The Great Race. Bloodthirsty pirate Manjanungo, with the help of Hummer the ruthless sickofobber, will do anything to win. But lusty Kalahari, if she can control her Hellfire spirit (among other things), stands an excellent chance of capturing the prize. This much is certain. With ten mighty captains at each other's throats, the question is not who will be the victor, but who will survive!