In this "book with comic book chapters" as described by illustrator Michel Janvier figure one three-time Formula 1 world champion (Jackie Stewart) and as many as six 24 Hours of Le Mans winners: Richard Attwood, Derek Bell, Hans Herrmann, Jacky Ickx, Gérard Larrousse and Henri Pescarolo (19 victories between them). Among them, Kurt Ahrens, Hans Herrmann, Derek Bell and Brian Redman were at one time or another Jo Siffert's teammates at the 24 Hours.

"As we were close to wrapping up work on the book, Michel Janvier had the idea to collect these testimonials, particularly thanks to access to Jacques Deschenaux's contacts," indique Olivier Marin. The autograph sessions that followed the publication of the Jo Siffert book also brought writer and illustrator face to face with the likes of Derek Bell at the 24 Hours museum this summer, for example.

Forty-seven years after Jo Siffert's death, the respect and affection felt by his peers is still just as strong, as witnessed by Michel Janvier in collecting the testimonials for the book: "I have very personal words from Gérard Larrousse that I chose not to publish, the emotion and gratitude expressed by Jacky Ickx at the Classic Days at Magny-Cours, the two meetings with Derek Bell at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Le Mans Classic and the chance encounter with Edi Wyss also at the Le Mans Classic where he told me about his adventures as a young mechanic during the 1971 Can-Am season. He told me the last time Siffert finished a race, in the Can-Am at Laguna Seca, he was there and it was just one week before the fatal accident at Brands Hatch. Henri Pescarolo was there the day of the accident and described to me exactly what happened. Designer Franco Sbarro also shared what he remembered, as did Heini Mader (German born Swiss engineer, namely for BMW, Ed.). And then there are members of the public, like the Brits I met at the Le Mans Classic who were also there the day of the accident. All you have to do is go to a vintage car gathering and you'll see people wearing Siffert shirts commemorating the 1970 Targa Florio or 1968 Brands Hatch or the Porsche 917. For those who didn't know him, our book is a way to learn about a legend, which is perfectly fine with Olivier and me. Those who did know him have thanked us."

In addition to races, most of the drivers who shared their thoughts in the Jo Siffert book participated - with the notable exception of Jacky Ickx - in the filming of "Le Mans" produced by Steve McQueen in 1970 and for which Jo Siffert rented a dozen cars. "I am fortunate to know Jean-Pierre Jabouille personally through his ties to the region where I live," continues Michel Janvier. "I have his testimonials from the Formula 2 races where he competed against Siffert, as he did in a few sport-prototype races. But they also took part in the filming of 'Le Mans' with Steve McQueen. It was a starting point for a possible preface. Then I met Henri Pescarolo and also talked on the phone with Henry Grandsire, Gérard Larrousse and François Mazet, and chatted with Kurt Ahrens on Facebook. I communicated via email with Paul Blancpain, Jo Siffert's right-hand man in business matters. Then we were to add all their anecdotes to the book, but just a few days before the mock-up was finished, I dropped the idea of using them in a standard preface. I talked it over with Olivier and we reached out to a Belgian friend, Carlos Ghys, who had provided a great deal of help through his photo archives and who knew a lot of the drivers from Jo's era. Of course Jacques Deschenaux had worked hard to get testimonials as well. So Jacques' postface became the preface, and we decided to put the drivers' exclusive testimonials together on one page. Jacky Ickx's email arrived two hours before the book went to print!"

Today, these testimonials are the most valuable indicators of Jo Siffert's contribution to the world of motorsport...and to his Swiss homeland, as explored in the final installment in this series.

PHOTO (Alban de Goulaine/ACO-Musée des 24 Heures): Five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell (at right) - Jo Siffert's teammate for the Swiss driver's final participation in the 24 Hours (1971) at the wheel of a Porsche 917 - met with illustrator Michel Janvier the weekend of the 86th running of the race during an autograph session at the 24 Hours museum.