1962 was a year Clark would rather have forgotten. Not only were results well below the team's expectations but a shock in Italy followed. Clark collided with “Taffy” von Trips at the Italian Grand Prix, killing him and 14 spectators.
Although the Scotsman felt strongly that it was von Trips' fault, he decided against accusing the deceased, a decision that, while noble, resulted in a huge amount of recriminations against him by the race organisers.
The following year and undaunted by his experiences, Clark emerged as World Champion. He held Pole position seven times and recorded seven wins. He made a flying start after a gearbox failure in Monaco, winning four races on the trot.
Clark had his chance to clinch the championship in Monza, but in time-honoured Scottish sporting tradition, it did not go smoothly.
An untried engine and gearbox put him at an instant disadvantage.
Although Surtees' own engine failed on lap 19, leaving Clark with a 4 second lead, he had no way to hold on to it. Again he had to slipstream behind both Hill and Dan Gurney to keep up, until both rivals dropped out leaving him a clean run to the finishing line – and an unassailable
lead in the championship.
A fairly average year in 1964 was followed with the best season of Clark's career.
Six consecutive wins in Formula One proved he was a true champion and he walked away with the title, gaining film star status in the process.
He also won the Indy 500 for the first time, effectively leading from start to finish throughout the campaign, becoming the first non-American in a generation to have the honour.
In 1968 Jim Clark (OBE) was killed at Hockenheim in race he wasn't even supposed to be in.
A mix-up over confirmation of the drive meant that Clark had to compete in a Formula Two race instead. He was unhappy about it but stood by the commitment. He crashed on the fifth lap of the first heat, hitting fir trees at 240km/h and was killed instantly.
Clark was more than just a sporting hero. He had helped to redefine the standards required in order to become a force in motor racing, and was a role model, able to inspire those who came after him.
Jim Clark was, undoubtedly, Scotland's first true racing hero and without his influence it is unlikely that the likes of Jackie Stewart or David Coulthard would have emerged – that, in itself, is a wonderful legacy.
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