When racing drivers were still starving - an episode from the life of Jo Siffert
The coincidence of Jo Siffert's recent 75th birthday, the 40th anniversary of his death this coming fall and the Solitude Revival , which took place on the weekend of July 23-24, prompts me to write down an episode from the very early days of Jo Siffert's racing career ...
My friend and narrator of this authentic story, the now 84-year-old Fritz Häfeli from Seengen, was already passionately interested in everything to do with racing motorcycles as a boy. When it came to restoring the American station wagon that sidecar rider Edgar Strub from Olten had bought from Dr. Wander (Ovomaltine), a certain Josef from Fribourg joined Edgar and Fritz twice a week as active help. The 16-year-old apprentice bodyworker made the journey between Fribourg and Olten in a 350cc machine with a self-made license plate attached to the rear wing.
In the mid-1950s - Fritz Häfeli no longer remembers the exact year - Edgar Strub entered his sidecar team for the international Solitude race. His passenger was none other than the aforementioned Josef, later better known as Jo Siffert. For the trip from Fribourg to Olten, Josef had been given 5 francs for fuel by his colleagues. The Norton team was transported in the now repaired station wagon.
For dinner in the Solitude event's race park, there was a tin of white beans warmed up on the fuel stove, as well as half a Servelat (typical relatively small Swiss sausage) for everyone. Thirst was quenched with tea.
The Strub couple set up camp for the night inside the car, while Fritz and Josef settled in on the roof rack . This was upholstered with a bale of straw "borrowed" from the Glemseck bend and a "military sheet" spread out on top. Two sacks filled with cleaning threads served as pillows.
In the middle of the night, Jo poked Fritz, who was lying next to him, in the side and asked if he couldn't sleep either. Fritz replied that he had just been thinking about biting off one of his ears because he was so hungry. Jo replied that he hadn't had anything proper between his teeth since Thursday and was literally starving. Edgar Strub's spiteful voice could be heard from inside the car, telling them to shut up. Fritz quickly whispered in Josef's ear that breakfast would be served soon!
This consisted of a halved "Gerber-Chäsli", some bread and, of course, tea again. Strub/Siffert at least managed to finish the race in the top ten.
Finally, on the way home, near Balingen, Strub suddenly stopped and asked Fritz Häfeli to get some apples from a nearby tree. He had already seized this good opportunity on the outward journey.
