The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)

Fife Formula One legend Jim Clark remembered in events

Interest in driver’s life remains strong

- JonaThan WaTson jowatson@thecourier.co.uk

The life of a Fife motorsport­s legend is to be celebrated with a special programme of events.

This year marks the 50th anniversar­y of the death of Formula One ace Jim Clark, a man still hailed by many as Britain’s greatest ever driver.

With interest in the two-time world champion remaining high, his family have helped to organise a series of events aimed at celebratin­g the life of a man whose passion for speed ultimately led to his death half a century ago.

Doug Niven, cousin of the Scottish sporting hero and trustee for the Jim Clark Trust, said: “We feel honoured that so many people have shown interest and we want this weekend to be both a commemorat­ion and celebratio­n to inspire future generation­s.”

Born in Kilmany in north-east Fife in 1936, Clark inspired a generation of future British racers from behind the wheel of his iconic Lotus, winning titles in 1963 and 1965.

Throughout his career at the pinnacle of motorsport, he achieved 33 pole positions, claiming 25 victories and cementing a reputation as one of F1’s greatest ever drivers.

However, a last-minute decision to participat­e in a Formula Two race at Germany’s Hockenheim­ring in 1968 ended in tragedy when he was killed after crashing into trees that lined the circuit. He was just 32.

The smash prompted a host of safety improvemen­ts in the sport, at a time when death was regarded as an occupation­al hazard.

To coincide with the anniversar­y of his death on April 7, events have been planned to take place throughout the weekend in the Scottish Borders, where the Clark family moved to in 1948.

The programme will include a display at the Jim Clark Museum at Duns, while some of the cars he drove will be on show at nearby Chirnside Hall.

 ?? Picture: Getty. ?? Jim Clark in a Ford Cosworth at Crystal Palace in 1965.
Picture: Getty. Jim Clark in a Ford Cosworth at Crystal Palace in 1965.

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