I had an conversation today with an interesting person, Sue Lehmann, shown on the left in the photograph below.

Here is a quick version of the story behind this photograph.

In the early 1970's, Sue was working with Yardley, in their marketing department. Yardley was the main sponsor for Jo Siffert, and Sue worked with Jo on a regular basis, at all his races. (She confirms that it was a real marketing job, not just today's version of a "Marlboro girl" in hot pants.) So now that I have introduced you to Sue, let me tell you about this photograph, in which he wears what has come to be known as the "Siffert Autavia".

The photograph was taken at the British Grand Prix, held at Silverstone, in 1971. Later that year, Siffert was racing in an non-Formula One event, at Brands Hatch, so Sue had Siffert autograph the photograph for her prior to the race. She wish himed luck before the race, and watched him drive out of the pits and onto the track. He was killed in a crash a few laps later.

Sue will be providing additional photos of Jo Siffert, and we will be creating a section of OnTheDash covering Siffert, parallel to the McQueen / Le Mans / Monaco section. [The link below will take you to our page covering the Siffert Autavia.]

Thanks to Jonathan Scatchard for the introduction to Sue; thanks to Sue for the photograph, the conversation and the prospect of working together.

Jeff