On the anniversary of his death, Jo Siffert's story endures - one of talent, charm and relentless determination, a Swiss privateer who rose from humble beginnings to conquer Brands Hatch, tame Porsche's fearsome 917 and earn a place among racing's bravest before tragedy struck.
Brands Hatch was a special track for Jo Siffert. He claimed his first Grand Prix victory at the Kentish circuit in July 1968, driving Rob Walker's privately-entered Lotus 49 and setting a new lap record at 1min 29.7sec. Less than a year later he qualified his Porsche 908, giving away 100 horsepower, in 1min 28.8sec for the BOAC 500 World Sportscar Championship race, which he won with Brian Redman.
It was an extraordinary achievement in a dominant season, and had there been a World Championship for sports car drivers in 1969 Siffert would have won it at a canter. British fans took the Swiss to their hearts, cheering his successes, but there was to be no happy ending. In October '71, driving a BRM in the Rothmans World Championship Victory Race, Siffert's car crashed in flames at Hawthorns Bend.
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