GETTY IMAGES, GRAND PRIX PHOTO

I write in praise of Lady Susie Moss, a very special friend. I was so saddened to learn of her passing. Devoted to Sir Stirling, she always had time to talk and laugh. I met them both many years ago at Goodwood events and shared many precious times at Sir Stirling’s book signings – Ihave all his books signed over the years – or after dinner at the Goodwood hotel or the prize giving at the Revival, when Sir Stirling and Lady Susie arrived at Goodwood House for the Gala Dinner. So often a hug from Susie before they went in, to the very biggest cheer for them both. Wonderful memories.

I recently enjoyed a lovely lunch with Lady Susie in London and we didn’t stop talking for hours. I was looking forward to seeing her again, but sadly not now. Such lovely friends, so sadly missed.

RIP Lady Susie, you are now with the love of your life, Sir Stirling.

GORDON WALLACE, ROYSTON, HERTFORDSHIRE

I was sorry to read about the demise of Avon Tyres’ motor sport division [Matters of Moment, May]. I was there at the beginning of its current incarnation, in 1981, and spent a wonderful decade working around the world with them across a number of racing categories.

What many people may not know is that the origin of this success was Bernie Ecclestone’s International Race Tire Service. The whole brief F1 life cycle (1981 to mid-82) was driven by IRTS – Avon simply facilitated the building of the tyres. With an uncertain F1 tyre supply for 1981 (as Goodyear had quit the sport, only to return months later) Bernie Ecclestone needed a guaranteed supply and IRTS recruited ex-Goodyear designers to design the tyres should the need arise for their use during the 1981 season.