A (not so) brilliant Safir

Engineer Ray Jessop had designed the Formula 2 Motul M1 (codename RJ01) in 1973 at the request of Ron Dennis, as well as the pretty F1 Token RJ02 seen in 1974 in the hands of Tom Pryce.

One year later, he modified this single seater, that was then named Safir, that never really raced in Formula One: Indeed, it only participated in the International Trophy at Silverstone ( a non-championship event) driven by Tony Trimmer, who finished 12th (picture above).

Money was missing and we will not see this car again, Jessop concentrating his efforts into the pretty F3 Safir RJ03, which was competitive in the British Formula 3 championship in 1975 with Belgian hopeful Patrick Nève, winner at Knockhill in Scotland (picture below).

The adventure continued in F3 with Tiff Needell in 1976, but the sudden death of Ray Jessop caused by a heart attack at only 45 years of age, signified the end of the road…