Final plans to celebrate the remarkable racing achievements of double world champion Jim Clark at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) have been confirmed.
As previously announced the two historic Formula One races for grand prix cars dating back to the early Sixties era are being dedicated to Clark as well as a very special commemorative dinner.
Born in Fife, Clark won the Formula One World Championship title in 1963 and 1965, and was the first British driver to win the Indianapolis 500, again in 1965. At the time of his death, when racing a Formula Two car at Hockenheim in Germany in 1968, he had won more Grands Prix (25 from just 72 starts) and pole positions (33) than any other driver.
Many of those who knew Clark from the Sixties will be sharing their memories during the BRDC Silverstone Classic Dinner. Among the invited guest speakers are several of his old team-mates including Jack Sears and Sir John Whitmore as well as period mechanics Bob Dance, Dick Scammell and Cedric Selzer from his title winning days at Lotus and renowned designer Len Terry. They will be joined by BRDC member Robs Lamplough and HSCC director Grahame White who were both present on that fateful day at Hockenheim. Cars raced by Clark will be present, too, both inside the Wing and in echelon outside the building to welcome guests.
Adding further to the special golden anniversary celebration, the Jim Clark Trust will be displaying around 20 of the glittering trophies currently on show at the Jim Clark Room – the museum located in Clark’s home town of Duns, Berwickshire. Several members of the Clark family will also be savouring the evening.
Famous cars once raced by Clark won’t just be on static display. The entry list for the two hugely evocative Jim Clark Trophy for Pre-1966 Rear Engined Grand Prix Cars showdowns organised by the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association (HGPCA) is headed by a number of the Lotuses in which the talented Scot scored so many of his stirring victories.
