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Jim Clark's wonder year 1965

Born on a farm in little-known Kilmany, Fife, no-one could have foreseen the impact that Jim Clark would have on international motor racing. His obvious racing skill had seemed indestructible yet his death in a Formula Two race at Hockenheim, Germany rocked the sport to its core.

Clark's reputation has remained intact over the years and associates from Lotus and former racers still recall his natural ability and sportsmanship.

He enjoyed success in the World Driver's Championship, Indycar racing, the Indianapolis 500, British and European Touring Car Championships, the British and European Formula Two Championships, the Tasman Cup and won races in the Lotus 23B and the highly difficult Lotus 30 sports cars. Even rallying and NASCAR racing were not beyond his reach.

Clark's achievements were made more impressive by the fact he lacked the backing of his parents, who were unhappy with his choice of career, and would have preferred if their son had chosen the more sedate life as a farmer.

October 5th 1957 was the first time Clark's tasted victory inside a motorcar, winning the Border Motor Racing Club Trophy at Charterhall. The Rest-and-be-Thankful Hillclimb was next, which he took in his own automobile, a Triumph TR-3.

The following year, driving a Jaguar D-Type for the Borders Reivers team, Clark's talent was beginning to be noticed and, as a result, he was invited to enter races all over England – which he did with varying degrees of success.

The race for the GP de Spa at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium was his first taste of foreign action, in which he came 8th.

Yet, although he now ventured overseas, it was a race closer to home, at Brands Hatch, which helped him onto the path to the very top of the sport. He raced against Colin Chapman with great aplomb, impressing the media and racing officials and became the name on everyone's lips.

In 1959, with regular wins and placings behind him, and turning in lap times as good as the Formula One stars of the day, the natural progression to Grand Prix was gathering pace.

Reg Parnell, the Aston Martin team boss, agreed that Clark had done enough to merit a contract, yet one major obstacle still stood in Clark's way; his parents.

Parnell engaged all his persuasive skills and eventually made them come round by stating bluntly that their son – if he had their backing - was good enough to become world champion. They reluctantly gave him their blessing.

Clark's first GP points came in Belgium with a fifth place finish, but the shine was taken off by a near fatal crash in practise for Stirling Moss and the deaths of Alan Stacey and Chris Bristow. The campaign finished with Jack Brabham winning the World Championship, and Jim Clark finishing 8th with 8points.

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.

Written by: Robert Thomson