Gentleman Jim: Remembering Jim Clark
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Jim Clark in a Formula 2 race in Hockenheim, Germany. Amidst the controversy that is overshadowing Formula One, it’s worth taking a moment to fondly look back on the last of the gentleman grand prix drivers.
In my opinion, Clark was the most gifted driver to ever sit in a race car - fast, smooth and incredibly sympathetic towards the car. But for the fragility of the Lotuses he drove, he might have completely dominated the 60’s. I am not alone in my opinion. He was also held in the highest regard by his peers and his death shocked them all to a man. It was Ferrari driver Chris Amon who remarked of Jim’s death, “If it can happen to (Jimmy) what chance do the rest of us have.”
Like many drivers of his day, Clark drove several different types of cars and his skill in multiple disciplines rivals even that of Mario Andretti. Clark, in addition to his 25 grand prix wins and 2 Formula 1 World Championships (1963 and 1965), also won the Indianapolis 500 (1965) and the British Touring Car Championship (1964). Other remarkable performances came driving a Ford Galaxy in NASCAR and the Lotus 30 and Aston Martin DBR1 at Le Mans.
It’s unlikely Jim could have existed as a Formula 1 driver today. The farmer from the Scottish Borders was too sensitive of character for the harsh realities of racing today. He raced in an era when it was still possible to live a normal life as a racing driver and not be burdened by the weight of money, politics and gamesmanship and the world is richer for having seen his talent displayed in perfect conditions.
The race following Clark’s death brought with it commercial advertising on the cars (Lotus) that would usher in a new chapter in racing. With Jim’s passing, so too did the era of the gentleman racer.
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Tags: BTCC, Chris Amon, Clark 40th anniversary, Ferrari, Formula 1, Hockenheim, Indianapolis 500, Jim Clark, Le Mans, Lotus, Mario Andretti, NASCAR