Remembering Jo Siffert

Remembering Jo Siffert, who died 24 October 1971. Racing in a non-championship event held at Brands Hatch, the Rothmans World Championship Victory Race, Siffert crashed after a suspension failure during the 15th lap of the race. The car burst into flames, and, trapped in the cockpit of the fiercely burning car, he died of smoke inhalation.
A two-time F1 race winner, Siffert claimed victory at the 1968 British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch, the 9th and final win for the privateer Rob Walker Racing Team. Despite being offered a drive with Ferrari later on in his career, he chose to continue racing with Porsche, which also financed his drive with March during its debut season in 1970. Unfortunately, this decision proved to be a mistake, as he only secured one more win with BRM before tragically dying, the scene of his first victory in 1968.

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I had SIFFERT license plate on my Porsche.

 

Remember photos of him and Pedro banging doors going into La Source. They had a Gulf 917 adorned with his helmet as part of the funeral cortège.

 

It's crazy to think about how many drivers lost their lives racing over the years. So sad.

 

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And he popularized the watch obsession so popular with racing drivers since.

 

Indeed.

And IIRC he was the/one of the first to bring a sponsor on his personal overalls. A Shell sticker I believe.