By Peter M. DeLorenzo
Detroit. Ask anyone who has been involved in racing what they remember most about the sport - besides the memorable cars and races - and they will always talk about the people and the personalities involved. It's these stories that fuel the memories, because racing is far from a one-dimensional pursuit. It's a passionate endeavor that consumes the people involved to a degree that outsiders just can't understand. And it's these memorable characters who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Drivers who were fierce competitors, flawed heroes and incredible, gifted talents. Their legacies are what make the sport of motor racing so fascinating. In the previous issues, I have recalled some - but not all - of my favorites (scroll down to "next 1 entries" to read previous issues -WG), and there are clearly many more exceptional drivers to cover. If you follow me on Twitter (@PeterMDeLorenzo) and read this column, you know that I've been posting images and commentary covering a lot of the compelling historical stories from racing's golden years. This week I'm focusing on one of the all-time greats: Jim Clark.
(Photo by Jesse Alexander)
The extraordinarily gifted Jim Clark, whose talent was staggering and competition record simply incredible, is pictured here after the 1960 Grand Prix of Belgium, at Spa. One of the most famous images in the history of motorsport, taken by the great Jesse Alexander, captures Clark - who drove the No. 18 Team Lotus 18-Climax to fifth place - moments after he was informed that two drivers had been killed in the race, Chris Barstow and Lotus teammate Alan Stacey. The dangerous consequences of '60s motor racing are clearly etched in Clark's face. That 1960 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa was one of the darkest weekends in F1 history. Stirling Moss and Mike Taylor suffered serious injuries in practice, forcing Taylor to retire from the sport.
Detroit. Ask anyone who has been involved in racing what they remember most about the sport - besides the memorable cars and races - and they will always talk about the people and the personalities involved. It's these stories that fuel the memories, because racing is far from a one-dimensional pursuit. It's a passionate endeavor that consumes the people involved to a degree that outsiders just can't understand. And it's these memorable characters who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Drivers who were fierce competitors, flawed heroes and incredible, gifted talents. Their legacies are what make the sport of motor racing so fascinating. In the previous issues, I have recalled some - but not all - of my favorites (scroll down to "next 1 entries" to read previous issues -WG), and there are clearly many more exceptional drivers to cover. If you follow me on Twitter (@PeterMDeLorenzo) and read this column, you know that I've been posting images and commentary covering a lot of the compelling historical stories from racing's golden years. This week I'm focusing on one of the all-time greats: Jim Clark.
(Photo by Jesse Alexander)The extraordinarily gifted Jim Clark, whose talent was staggering and competition record simply incredible, is pictured here after the 1960 Grand Prix of Belgium, at Spa. One of the most famous images in the history of motorsport, taken by the great Jesse Alexander, captures Clark - who drove the No. 18 Team Lotus 18-Climax to fifth place - moments after he was informed that two drivers had been killed in the race, Chris Barstow and Lotus teammate Alan Stacey. The dangerous consequences of '60s motor racing are clearly etched in Clark's face. That 1960 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa was one of the darkest weekends in F1 history. Stirling Moss and Mike Taylor suffered serious injuries in practice, forcing Taylor to retire from the sport.
(Getty images)
Dutch Grand Prix, Circuit Park Zandvoort, June 23, 1963. In another one of his dominant performances, Jim Clark (No. 6 Team Lotus 25-Climax) started from the pole, set the fastest lap and led every lap of the race in winning the Dutch Grand Prix. Dan Gurney (No. 18 Brabham BT7-Climax) was second and John Surtees (No. 2 Ferrari 156/63) finished third.
Dutch Grand Prix, Circuit Park Zandvoort, June 23, 1963. In another one of his dominant performances, Jim Clark (No. 6 Team Lotus 25-Climax) started from the pole, set the fastest lap and led every lap of the race in winning the Dutch Grand Prix. Dan Gurney (No. 18 Brabham BT7-Climax) was second and John Surtees (No. 2 Ferrari 156/63) finished third.
(Getty images)
Monaco Grand Prix, May 10, 1964. The opening round of the 1964 World Championship was chock-full of the stars of F1. Jim Clark (No. 12 Team Lotus 25-Climax) - fresh off his 1963 World Championship - qualified on the pole, with Jack Brabham (No. 5 Brabham BT7-Climax) and John Surtees (No. 21 Ferrari 158) next to him on the front row. Clark immediately encountered problems with a loose rear stabilizer bar, requiring him to stop in the pits for repairs. He rejoined the race in third and eventually took second position, before suffering a blown engine. Graham Hill (No. 8 BRM P261) won that day, followed by American Richie Ginther (No. 7 BRM P261) for a BRM 1-2. Peter Arundell (No. 11 Team Lotus 25-Climax) finished third in his F1 debut.
Monaco Grand Prix, May 10, 1964. The opening round of the 1964 World Championship was chock-full of the stars of F1. Jim Clark (No. 12 Team Lotus 25-Climax) - fresh off his 1963 World Championship - qualified on the pole, with Jack Brabham (No. 5 Brabham BT7-Climax) and John Surtees (No. 21 Ferrari 158) next to him on the front row. Clark immediately encountered problems with a loose rear stabilizer bar, requiring him to stop in the pits for repairs. He rejoined the race in third and eventually took second position, before suffering a blown engine. Graham Hill (No. 8 BRM P261) won that day, followed by American Richie Ginther (No. 7 BRM P261) for a BRM 1-2. Peter Arundell (No. 11 Team Lotus 25-Climax) finished third in his F1 debut.
(Getty images)
Circuit Park Zandvoort, June 4, 1967. Jim Clark sits in the No. 5 Lotus 49 Ford Cosworth DFV before the start of the Dutch Grand Prix. This was the debut of the brand-new Lotus 49, and also the brand-new Cosworth DFV V8, which Colin Chapman persuaded the Ford Motor Company to fund. Graham Hill (No. 6 Lotus 49 Ford Cosworth DFV) started from the pole. Hill had tested the new car, while Clark hadn't sat in it until that weekend, which is why he qualified in an uncharacteristic eighth place, almost two full seconds slower than his teammate. Dan Gurney (No. 15 Anglo American Racers Eagle T1G-Weslake V12) qualified second, and Jack Brabham (No. 1 Brabham BT19-Repco V8) third. But the race was a different story, as Clark found the measure of his new machine, charging up the order before finally taking the lead and the win. It was a momentous day for Clark, Chapman, Team Lotus, Cosworth and Ford. Brabham finished second and Denny Hulme (No. 2 Brabham BT20-Repco V8) was third.
Circuit Park Zandvoort, June 4, 1967. Jim Clark sits in the No. 5 Lotus 49 Ford Cosworth DFV before the start of the Dutch Grand Prix. This was the debut of the brand-new Lotus 49, and also the brand-new Cosworth DFV V8, which Colin Chapman persuaded the Ford Motor Company to fund. Graham Hill (No. 6 Lotus 49 Ford Cosworth DFV) started from the pole. Hill had tested the new car, while Clark hadn't sat in it until that weekend, which is why he qualified in an uncharacteristic eighth place, almost two full seconds slower than his teammate. Dan Gurney (No. 15 Anglo American Racers Eagle T1G-Weslake V12) qualified second, and Jack Brabham (No. 1 Brabham BT19-Repco V8) third. But the race was a different story, as Clark found the measure of his new machine, charging up the order before finally taking the lead and the win. It was a momentous day for Clark, Chapman, Team Lotus, Cosworth and Ford. Brabham finished second and Denny Hulme (No. 2 Brabham BT20-Repco V8) was third.
(Getty images)
Jim Clark made his debut in F1 in 1960 for Team Lotus as a replacement for John Surtees, who had gone to race at the Isle of Man motorcycle races. Clark won 25 Grand Prix races out of 72 starts, and he also captured 33 pole positions and 28 fastest laps. He won the World Championship in 1963 (winning seven of ten races) and in 1965.
Jim Clark made his debut in F1 in 1960 for Team Lotus as a replacement for John Surtees, who had gone to race at the Isle of Man motorcycle races. Clark won 25 Grand Prix races out of 72 starts, and he also captured 33 pole positions and 28 fastest laps. He won the World Championship in 1963 (winning seven of ten races) and in 1965.
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Jim Clark's prodigious talent and Colin Chapman's creative engineering mind formed one of the most formidable combinations in the history of F1.
Jim Clark's prodigious talent and Colin Chapman's creative engineering mind formed one of the most formidable combinations in the history of F1.
(Getty images)
A classic image: Jim Clark in the Team Lotus 49 Ford Cosworth DFV V8 during the 1967 F1 season.
A classic image: Jim Clark in the Team Lotus 49 Ford Cosworth DFV V8 during the 1967 F1 season.
(Getty images)
Belgian Grand Prix, June 14, 1964. Dan Gurney and Jim Clark before the start. Clark qualified sixth in his No. 23 Team Lotus 25-Climax, while Gurney (No. 15 Brabham BT7-Climax) started from the pole. Clark won that day, followed by Bruce McLaren (No. 20 Cooper T73-Climax) and Jack Brabham (No. 14 Brabham BT7-Climax). Gurney and Clark had immense respect for each other, and fondness too. Clark considered Gurney to be his greatest rival, which Clark's father confirmed to Dan at Jim's funeral.
Belgian Grand Prix, June 14, 1964. Dan Gurney and Jim Clark before the start. Clark qualified sixth in his No. 23 Team Lotus 25-Climax, while Gurney (No. 15 Brabham BT7-Climax) started from the pole. Clark won that day, followed by Bruce McLaren (No. 20 Cooper T73-Climax) and Jack Brabham (No. 14 Brabham BT7-Climax). Gurney and Clark had immense respect for each other, and fondness too. Clark considered Gurney to be his greatest rival, which Clark's father confirmed to Dan at Jim's funeral.
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1963. Jim Clark gets his first taste of the brand-new Lotus-Ford Indy car in an early test at The Speedway. Dan Gurney was instrumental in convincing Colin Chapman and Ford to team-up for a run at the Indianapolis 500. Dan and Jim were teammates in 1963 for Team Lotus in the "500."
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1963. Jim Clark gets his first taste of the brand-new Lotus-Ford Indy car in an early test at The Speedway. Dan Gurney was instrumental in convincing Colin Chapman and Ford to team-up for a run at the Indianapolis 500. Dan and Jim were teammates in 1963 for Team Lotus in the "500."
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 1963. Jim Clark and his Team Lotus-Ford Indy car in pit lane before qualifying for the Indy 500. Clark was robbed of winning the '63 Indy 500 in a controversial non-call by the USAC officials, which favored Parnelli Jones, whose front-engined Offy was leaking oil so badly that it had caused several drivers to crash. Chapman was furious and demanded Jones be black-flagged, but the USAC "home boys" allowed Jones to finish and win. Jim finished second and was named Rookie of the Year.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 1963. Jim Clark and his Team Lotus-Ford Indy car in pit lane before qualifying for the Indy 500. Clark was robbed of winning the '63 Indy 500 in a controversial non-call by the USAC officials, which favored Parnelli Jones, whose front-engined Offy was leaking oil so badly that it had caused several drivers to crash. Chapman was furious and demanded Jones be black-flagged, but the USAC "home boys" allowed Jones to finish and win. Jim finished second and was named Rookie of the Year.
(Getty images)
Indianapolis 500, May 31, 1965. The 1965 Indy 500 would be a different story for Jim Clark and Colin Chapman. Jim flat-out dominated the race in his mid-engined No. 82 Lotus-Ford, leading 189 of the 200 laps. Here, Clark leads A.J. Foyt (No. 1 Sheraton/Thompson Lotus-Ford) and Parnelli Jones (No. 98 J.C. Agajanian Hurst Lotus-Ford) on his way to the win.
Indianapolis 500, May 31, 1965. The 1965 Indy 500 would be a different story for Jim Clark and Colin Chapman. Jim flat-out dominated the race in his mid-engined No. 82 Lotus-Ford, leading 189 of the 200 laps. Here, Clark leads A.J. Foyt (No. 1 Sheraton/Thompson Lotus-Ford) and Parnelli Jones (No. 98 J.C. Agajanian Hurst Lotus-Ford) on his way to the win.
(Getty images)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 31, 1965. Jim Clark and Colin Chapman in Victory Lane after Jim's monumental win in the Indy 500 in his No. 82 Team Lotus-Ford DOHC V8.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 31, 1965. Jim Clark and Colin Chapman in Victory Lane after Jim's monumental win in the Indy 500 in his No. 82 Team Lotus-Ford DOHC V8.
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway, June 1, 1965. Jim Clark, Colin Chapman and Team Lotus members at the "morning after" winner's photo shoot at The Speedway.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, June 1, 1965. Jim Clark, Colin Chapman and Team Lotus members at the "morning after" winner's photo shoot at The Speedway.
(Photo by Dave Friedman)
Riverside International Raceway, October 11, 1964. Jim Clark in his No. 15 Team Lotus 30 Ford during the Los Angeles Times Grand Prix for Sports Cars. Jim finished third behind Parnelli Jones (No. 94 Shelby American Cooper King Cobra Ford) and Roger Penske (No. 6 Chaparral Cars Chaparral 2A Chevrolet). Clark often competed in sports cars and touring cars - including Le Mans - and he also won three Tasman Series championships in a row in 1966, 1967 and 1968.
Riverside International Raceway, October 11, 1964. Jim Clark in his No. 15 Team Lotus 30 Ford during the Los Angeles Times Grand Prix for Sports Cars. Jim finished third behind Parnelli Jones (No. 94 Shelby American Cooper King Cobra Ford) and Roger Penske (No. 6 Chaparral Cars Chaparral 2A Chevrolet). Clark often competed in sports cars and touring cars - including Le Mans - and he also won three Tasman Series championships in a row in 1966, 1967 and 1968.
(Getty images)
Jim Clark was killed on April 7, 1968, at the Hockenheimring, Baden-Württembergm, Germany, driving in a Formula 2 race for Gold Leaf Team Lotus, at the age of 32. Back then, it was not uncommon for F1 drivers to drive in F2 races, especially that season, which had a four-month gap between F1 races. The race was characterized as being a "minor" event, but the grid was filled with talented drivers such as Graham Hill (Clark's teammate), Derek Bell, Piers Courage, Jean-Pierre Beltois, Henri Pescarolo, Carlo Facetti and Clay Regazzoni. Clark's Lotus veered off the track on the fifth lap of the first heat and crashed into trees, the cause thought to be a rapidly deflating rear tire. He died on the way to the hospital. It remains one of the most tragic days in motorsport history. Clark's death affected the racing community terribly, with fellow Formula One drivers and close friends Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Dan Gurney, John Surtees, Chris Amon and Jack Brabham devastated by the tragedy. People came from all over the world to Clark's funeral. Colin Chapman was inconsolable and publicly stated that he had lost his best friend. The 1968 F1 Drivers' Championship was subsequently won by his Lotus teammate Graham Hill, who pulled the heartbroken team together and held off Jackie Stewart for the crown, which he later dedicated to Clark.
Jim Clark was killed on April 7, 1968, at the Hockenheimring, Baden-Württembergm, Germany, driving in a Formula 2 race for Gold Leaf Team Lotus, at the age of 32. Back then, it was not uncommon for F1 drivers to drive in F2 races, especially that season, which had a four-month gap between F1 races. The race was characterized as being a "minor" event, but the grid was filled with talented drivers such as Graham Hill (Clark's teammate), Derek Bell, Piers Courage, Jean-Pierre Beltois, Henri Pescarolo, Carlo Facetti and Clay Regazzoni. Clark's Lotus veered off the track on the fifth lap of the first heat and crashed into trees, the cause thought to be a rapidly deflating rear tire. He died on the way to the hospital. It remains one of the most tragic days in motorsport history. Clark's death affected the racing community terribly, with fellow Formula One drivers and close friends Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Dan Gurney, John Surtees, Chris Amon and Jack Brabham devastated by the tragedy. People came from all over the world to Clark's funeral. Colin Chapman was inconsolable and publicly stated that he had lost his best friend. The 1968 F1 Drivers' Championship was subsequently won by his Lotus teammate Graham Hill, who pulled the heartbroken team together and held off Jackie Stewart for the crown, which he later dedicated to Clark.
Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG