I remember going to Jim Clark museum in his hometown of Duns, Scotland. A small room in a sleepy town. I walked in and the first thing I saw was a picture of Senna signing the guestbook.I was lost for words . How many of today's spoilt superstar drivers have gone to pay their respects to the legendary Jim Clark?
I consider Jim the best ever followed by Senna and Fangio. Jim was fast in anything and he just loved to race. It is a shame that he died in that F2 race in 1968 because drivers like him are so rare. His humility could be a lesson for many modern F1 drivers.
I'm 31 yrs old, my generation normally only stop at Senna...not me!, Clark is the greatest of the great. I don't generally speak to having hero's in life, however Jimmy Clark is about the only one who'd fall into that category. The most gifted racing driver to walk the earth. No one, not even Senna . Monza 1967, name me any driver who's done what Jimmy did there that year!!!!!!
Jim Clark was the best of all time.He won Formula 1, sports cars, tasmin, indianapolis, formula 2 and 3, saloon cars and even held third place on the RAC rally until the diff gave way. He very often completed in two or three races at each event. He could make a fragile car last (Lotus) and a slow car quick. Genius, and still non better.
Thanks, it's very gratifying to see that younger F1 fans are appreciating Jim Clark. You have one thing going for you that even I didn't have back then: all of the fantastic video here on RU-vid and other places. I've seen more of Clark racing in the last few years, then I saw before.
Never heard him speak before today (not that I remember). Was expecting Stewart levels of accent. Definitely one of the best of all time behind the wheel.
I wish more people my age had heard of him. Well the quite champion has many meanings! His character and his remembrance. People say Senna was the best, but to me, Senna was great is many races, Jim Clark was great every time he stepped into a car!
Clarks storming drive at Monza in 1967 has surely got to be the greatest drive of all time in any F1 Grand Prix,baring in mind how long pit stops were in those days, the man was almost supernatural in his ability behind the wheel of a racing car. I grew up watching the likes of Senna and Schumacher but they don't hold a candle to Jimmy Clark, in terms of ability and also sportsmanship (Japan 1990!, Adelaide 1994 etc)....Clark never resorted to dirty tactics or win at all costs mentality
Jim Clark is my hero. I am in awe of his humility and this is an example of humility that the whole world can follow. Ayrton Senna said Clark was the best ever. In some interviews, Jim eyes look like senna's, deep in thought and unassuming with a a very gentle look to them. For me, Clark is the greatest racing driver of all time. Name me another driver that could be fast in any type of racing be it f1, indy, rallies and various other motorsport.
Very nice to hear that someone your age can appreciate Clark, both as an unsurpassed driver and as a man. One of the sad things that I often hear said of the generations that began watching F1 with Senna, et al, is how being ruthless (e.g. intentionally crashing into another driver) is a required trait of champions! But Clark, Fangio, G. Hill, Brabham, Stewart and others, all showed that they could be great and win with honor. It sets them above Senna & Schumacher, who didn't always do that.
Visited the Jim Clark museum in Duns yesterday. A fantastic place, drool over the original Lotus Cortina on loan from Dario Franchetti and see original items from the great man as well as walls of his trophies. The staff are deeply knowledgeable. A moving and humbling experience.
Aryton Senna would be in my top five, but I never remember him driving anything but F1. Clark could hop into anything and make winning look easy. And he did it after becoming an F1 champion. Sometimes when that happens, others denigrate what he's done. But Clark had plenty of competition. And in those days, drivers had to worry about tracks that were never made for their safety.
Jim was envolved in an accident with Von Trips in 1961 at Monza, Trips pulled across in front of Clark after the banking before the next corner, Jim had no chance of missing the accident. The bad memories stayed with him untill his young death..
Clark is the greatest of all time....his % of wins/poles/fastest laps in the 72 Grand Prix that he competed in, compared to the likes of Senna, Schumacher, Fangio speak for themselves. Should have been at least a 4 time world champion had it not been for an unreliable Lotus, had he not died at the age of 32, he'd likely have gone on and won even more world championships. Not to also forget he won Indy 500, Tasman Series, Touring Cars....untouchable behind the wheel of any race car, a legend
Clark, Graham Hill and Mario Andretti could win in anything they drove. I wish there were more drivers like those 3 at least Alonso is trying to accomplish what those greats did.
I was a kid between 13 & 17, saw him every year at the Taman Series Thurs to Sun. Was a quiet guy, I saw Sally too, what a beautiful woman she is. He was a real gentleman, I have his autograph,He didn’t just sign it asked me how I was etc small talk, he was very quiet almost shy. Stopped at the paddock gate smiled & let me through. I saw him on the track in the Gold leaf Lotus 49 sideways drifting the car through a kink lap after lap same line every lap. Never saw anyone else do that in what was a 4 wheel drift through that kink. His death 6weeks later was a huge shock, and very upsetting. Would he fit in today, I am not sure, driving absolutely, one of the best of all time,but the fanfare . I am not sure.
Record Achieved Most races with pole, win, fastest lap, and leading every lap 8 Highest percentage of possible championship points in a season 100% in 1963 and 1965[N 1] Highest percentage of laps in the lead in a season 71.47% in 1963 Jim Clark The greatest of all time
We also have to remember that this was before downforce, and with engines that werent that powerful, where you had to keep the momentum of speed and anticipate, and be super smooth as the cars were not pressed to the ground; a whole different affair.
I know that Von Trips could be World Champion if he beat Phil Hill.But he took a bad start and was trying to overtake Clark.But the two drivers collided and Von Trips' Ferrari was sent in the public,killing 14 spectators.
If I correctly recall he was involved in Monza tragedy when over 12 were killed by W.Von Trips Ferrari,which spun and went flipping after colliding with another car (J.Clark I presume). Is there anyone among Clarks fans who knows sth about this event ? Greetings=
fred west ah yes, the 09 mclaren. 3rd best car on the grid. Wow what an achievement.........(sarcasm) and how dare you bring that arse into a conversation concerning the great jim clark!
+therollingstones321 The only Arse with a capital A is you sir. Lewis can be mentioned with the greats of F1 . Only rookie to finish above a reigning double World champion Only rookie to out-qualify a reigning double world champion Only champion on the grid who has won in every season he has raced even when driving which Eddie Jordon described as the worst car Mclaren had ever built. He is statistically the most successful British driver of all time He is statistically the most successful Mercedes driver of all time above greats Like Fangio , Moss Schumacher and Rosey. He is the only rookie to hit 9 consecutive podiums I could go on but it would be me righting war and peace. Now you go and show fealty to F1's most Marketable driver ever.
fred west making an intresting arguement until making "most marketable driver" sound important, but well gloss over that. Anyway, I love a good "where are they in the top drivers list" discussion, so lets begin (notice I said discussion not arguement!). Who are we talking about?, ahh yes a mr lewis hamilton, good driver, very good actually now I think about it! Bringing up meaningless statistics is one way of going about it, but when im judging a driver on their 'greatness' I like to examine everything, natural ability (strengths/weaknesses), ability to learn from mistakes, work ethic etc... So, Hamilton, certainly has talent. Main strength has always been qualifying, pretty handy at arash overtake if there's a need for one, or not, unfortunately! Has always been prone to unforced errors as can be seen any number of times ( most of 2011 for a start!), and he never seemed to learn from them. Having said that having a VERY dominant car seemed to improve this though odd occasions it still shows through (germany 2014, austria quali 2014/15, hungary 2015 etc). Having "the stats" can add weight in some situations, though they must be given context (e.g. over twice as many races a season to this era, how easy it is for people to drive in their first season in f1 these days etc....). Anyway, where would Hamilton go on MY list? Well while the faults are there, the quali skill is a nice counter balance. Top 30? Definitely! Top 20? Yes, just. Now please say your point, and not just go on a mindless rant like so many others, im eager to hear you opinion!
