Jim Clark

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Comment by Bram Hume on July 21, 2008 at 11:55pm

What's funny is you and I may be the only ones here that know that Dan Gurney story.

I bet you have a copy of 'Grand Prix' resting somewhere comfortably on a shelf close by for occasional viewing...

Comment by Charlie on July 21, 2008 at 11:40pm

Being a big - big Dan - fan, I have quoted that anecdote about Jimmy's dad, many times. They were both complete racers. That era is still my favorite. It's amazing that any of them survived.

Comment by Bram Hume on July 21, 2008 at 11:32pm

Clark was originally scheduled to race at Brands Hatch on the day he raced at Hockenheimring.

I too remember that only too well as my family and I were visiting relatives in Mussleburgh. I remember mostly that day's activities becoming very secondary and quiet.

Clark's father once told Dan Gurney that he was only driver Jim ever feared. Clark was well known for simply getting in car with whatever set up was on it and race it the way it was, never asking for changes to be made.

That is a complete racer in my books.

Comment by Charlie on July 21, 2008 at 11:15pm

My God.

This will read dumb to many. But I remember hearing of Clark's death more clearly than I remember JFK's. It might have something to do with how rare it was in the 60's, to here any news of Formula One on local, US media. But I was laying in bed and the announcement came across the radio that "Grand Prix driver" Jimmy Clark had been killed at a track called Hockenheim, in Germany while practicing for a Formula 2 race. I was as devestated as I had ever been, to that point in my life.

Thanks B. That bit with Clark looking at the misty track, and kicking at the pavement as he walked off...good stuff. The music is perfect. One of my favorite videos, ever.