I was at the 1993 Indy 500 with Nigel Mansell leading late in the race sitting at turn 1 proclaiming loudly: "The Formula 1 Champion is leading the Indy 500" to my friend as at least a dozen fans, much older than me, turned and looked back at me like they had not heard that in 2 decades. It was my tribute to Clark and the F1 drivers coming to Indy in the 60's, in disbelief that Mansell was about to do it to only jinx him as Fittipaldi and a couple others passed Mansell at the re-start.
Greatness yes but LEGENDARY status came with things like, winning the British GP and then on the way home he picks up a random guy and takes him to the airport... who sits in the car and then asks, after 5 mins of staring at him... "Are you Jim Clark?" He laughed and said.. Yes, I am.. My Dads mate said "I've just seen you win the GP and now you're giving me a lift.. What a day." That was the type of guy he was.. Hence Gentleman Jim.
+Matty B Did a similar thing at Wombwell last season. Engine sounded a little off powering midway down the straight so eased off momentarily, just slightly to preserve it for remaining 5 minutes or so of C final. Fortunately had a lap over chasing driver so had that luxury (he never knew, thought he was catching me).
Your Dad What makes you think it's bullshit. As somebody who knows a bit about racing, the moment I read "Had a lap over chasing driver" - That is a big indication (not definite but big) that they were in the back of their Class or midfield/backfield. Personally, instead of being the prick that has to doubt everything on the internet, I actually take this with a small lump of truth. It's a big world, a lot of people race and everybody watches YT... Maybe, just maybe... Somebody who races, posted their experience on a racing video on RUclips. *Gasp* I know... Mental right...
Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart - two Scots and an Englishman representing the absolute best of British. Three close friends, two lost tragically, one remained who made sure Grand Prix racing would be safer for future generations. I wish we had the characters of yesteryear, today. Legends.
Love the mechanics, they seem so humble and happy to share their piece of brilliance. Great to see people being so proud of their work, really touches the heart.
Well, it was craftmanship. 150% of it. Today it's telemetry and computers.. Back then it was gutfeelings and experience. No doubt, like they said in the film, they paid as much attention to details but it was more pure engineering. My hat off to them all, both the ones that didn't make it and those that are still around. It was pure racing.
British mechanics all. They were legendary, but they were also quite fickle. When called to the colours, they beat the Ferraris. When that ugliness escalated into war, of course they beat the Nazis. But only when called to the colours. Otherwise, they might have stayed out of it until normal racing was resumed. In all other situations since then, unhappily, they went on strike - and wiped out their own industry in the process. Now, they all hope to work for Mercedes. Which must seem like punishment. I hope so.
Jim Clark was my first boyhood hero, before I discovered music and girls!! I was so upset when he died even at that young age. Looking at his car gives me tingles, it is so beautiful and sounds immense
He was my boyhood hero too. That's saying something since I am American. No one I grew up with had any idea who he was. I built a model of that car. It was how I learned about engines and suspensions, etc. as I had to piece everything together individually.
he won by 5 mins in the rain?! that literally left me speechless! wow what a legendary scottsman and what a legendary lotus in that b-e-a-u-tiful british racing green
Jim Clark was a hero to us lads back in the 1960s. I remember well the day he died. F1 has changed beyond all recognition and I no longer watch it but this video brought back so many memories of those days. Great to hear words from the pit crews too; the often unsung heroes who kept things going. Think I'll watch 'Grand Prix' tonight now.
I arrived in England aged 15 in Feb 1968 - planning to go to the British Grand Prix that year to watch my great hero -sadly it was not to be - I did not go to a grand Prix for a long time after that
I work in Duns, where Jim Clark lived. They still talk about him to this day. There’s a museum dedicated to him and this weekend there was a celebration for the 60th anniversary of his first GP title in 1963. The Jim Clark rally takes place around the area each year
Jim was a genius ,greatest ever driver behind the wheel of a race car. I always wonder what he would have achieved if he hadn't went to Hockenheim that weekend. Jim your sadly missed by myself and a huge fan base. RIP Jim Clark 🙏
That's not BRG, British Racing Green is much darker, almost black, the Lotus was probably Almond Green. Look at the Cooper Climax or a 1930s racing Bentley they were BRG. I agree though, that Lotus looks absolutely beautiful.
"By concentrating on the braking, by concentrating on the way through the corner, by concentrating on the amount of throttle open, power I can get out of a corner, I don't drive any faster, I just concentrate harder, which makes me go faster" Jim Clark.
Sometimes things in F1 are just perfect, and this was one of them. What a thrill for those old mechanics to be out at the track with 'their' car, and to see and hear it running again.
I understand exactly what he means when he says about not scrubbing off speed in the corners since the car is underpowered. Underpowered is of course a relative term but it is similar to flying a light aircraft, many of which have little excess of power and a good pilot of those machines gets to learn all about "energy management" and to develop a light touch if he is to get the most performance from the machine. In my schooldays at age about 15 I met Jim Clark - for maybe 60 seconds or so! He was going out with a schoolmate's sister, a girl older than us. Sister and Jim Clark came to the boarding school to collect the schoolmate, her brother. I helped the schoolmate carry his bags to the car that Clark was driving (which wasn't anything special as I recall) and was introduced to the sister and Jim Clark. 60 seconds in the presence of motor racing genius!
In 1967 Clark was so far ahead by the end of the first lap at Spa that the race steward assumed that a big crash had taken out everyone else, and had time to phone round the Marshall points before anyone else completed the lap. However Clark didn't win that race as the engine went.
If only he had lived...think of the stories he could tell. Think of how wonderful it might be to be able to see him telling stories with Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart. RIP Jim Clark.
Not easier, but different. The cars aren't as forgiving in terms of older cars - the gap between control and no control is very small, whereas drivers knew in the older cars that they could slide the car without it "snapping" and spinning.
Jim Clark was my Father's hero....one of only 2 times I ever saw tears from his eyes.....and it was when he heard the news of Jim Clark's demise........RIP, Flying Scotsman and RIP, my "Pops"...... great video, was emotional for me to see this wonderful car.......
8 лет назад+46
Just a perfect piece of moviemaking. There's pride in the eyes, pain and satisfaction, maybe a teardrop by those now old folks, who we're there when the story starts. Bless you guys, never forget Jimmy Clark!
What a great clip seeing a modern day driver, although retired, be able to get into a LEGENDS Race Car, and feel what its was like back in the day when literally seat of the pants driving was what it was all about. Jim Clark was man BORN TO DRIVE and what is amazing is that no computers, no high tech gear just flat out drivers skill and feel of the car. It was just as fun to watch the old crew and mechanics who took just as much pleasure being able to relive so to speak the days when Clark was behind the wheel and their facial expressions and smiles said it all. R.I.P. to Jim Clark a TRUE RACER who was really ahead of his time and to close, what a awesome looking car.
This really shows how great Jim Clark was. Not to take anything away from drivers today but F1 is a bit sterile. Love David Coulthards assessment of how hard it was to drive the car.
I still feel that he was alone on the podium with Fangio, the two best drivers ever! Thanx for the memories! Russ Andrews, Watkins Glen, Race Communications Association
Thank you David and the BBC for this beautiful tribute to that beautiful car, the Lotus team that created and maintained it and Jim Clark, who truly deserves to be called a legend. Those who say that a driver needs to be ruthless or reckless to be a champion: Jim Clark and others of that era, showed that it was possible to be the best and win with honor.
Beautifully done tribute. As a teenager I was privileged to have seen Jim Clark in his golden days, at Brands, Crystal Palace, Silverstone and other venues. Everything said here is true. He was absolutely magical to watch, not just in F1 but in saloons and sports cars - in fact anything he drove. No sawing at the wheel, no drama. Just perfect lines and never missed an apex. It was truly poetry in motion. Even more spectacular in the Lotus Cortina which was simply breathtaking to watch. For me and many others who saw him live, he was undoubtedly the most gifted driver of all time, by far. I once saw him come third in an F2 race and was initially dissapointed - until I learned that for almost the entire race he was stuck in fifth gear. Anyone else would either have retired or be lapped. But he came third because he could adapt to any mechanical problem and still drive very fast.
It is a very emotional clip. Having that car yet again rumbling on the circuit driven by another Scott F1 driver is a very special moment. Those days of F1 are gone forever when less strict FIA rules allowed genius designers to come forward with brake through technologies. Jimmy and Colin will live in our memories forever.
Jim Clark might have died due to regulations but at least he died a hero, unlike many 'forgotten' drivers that simply retired. For example, I doubt we'll hear about and remember Nico Rosberg after the same amount of time has elapsed for him as for Jim Clark between his death and today. Quitting at the height of your career or simply being gone at the height of your career... there's quite a difference in how the people will remember you as a result.
José Silva That might be true but you have to respect each other's choices in life, even when they are hard to swallow sometimes. It is very selfish to only think about the feelings and wishes of the family and not about the feelings and wishes of the deceased. Jim Clark was chose to become a racing driver well knowing the fact that in those cars you could die in a heartbeat, even against the wishes of his parents and that of a comparitively quiet and relatively safe farmers lifestyle. He even had a girlfriend who also knew what she got in to. All around him nontheless had to respect his wishes to go racing. He wanted the thrill of living on the edge, and he got it. Another goes skydiving nowadays with the risk of the parachute not deploying for instance. Some people love to live on the edge, sometimes simply because it makes them feel alive. Personally I believe we should respect Jim Clark his wishes like his family did, and yes it is true that it is a sad thing that his family and we the fans of the sport have to remember him, but let us remember him for doing what he did best and loved the most. Not because we feel it was foolish to drive in metal coffins as per modern standards of safety. So respect the man, respect the era. I am sure he felt the thrill of living every second he drove that car right until the end.
Kartraceone I take your point about restrictive regulations and break-through technologies, and that may well be true these days...but don't confuse safe design with limiting creativity. Two different things altogether. And frankly mindlessly "adding lightness" without appropriate engineering analysis is what got Jimmy Clark killed (not excessive creativity).
These F1 cars are my favourite design ever - before wings and aero made such an impact. Obviously dangerous as heck but stunning works of engineering art.
So fans complain about a leader nowadays being 30 or 40 second ahead in a race. He was 5 minutes ahead! Wow. Great story about cutting the engine and coasting.
Having begun racing shortly after this car ruled F1, I can appreciate some of the comments by Coulthard and the mechanics about the "old school" nature of both the car and driving technique. We've come a long way, and some modern street vehicles can surpass this car's overall performance, but nobody could surpass Jim Clark's legendary performance in wrangling these fragile beasts.
I watched him many times at Oulton Park in the 60s, sports cars, saloon, formula 2...Jim was fantastic and that Lotus was years ahead of any other..great to see
Seeing the smiles of Jim Clark and DC connecting the past and present across 50 years of Formula 1 is amazing. Thanks Motorsport for doing this I buy it every month it's my favorite mag. Cheers.
Jim Clark = Legend. Won the Belgian Grand Prix by 4 mins. 54 secs.in the rain.Lost a lap in the Italian GP with a flat tyre,made up the lost lap and re-took the lead only to run out of fuel and coast across the line in 3rd place. Broke the lap record at the Nurburgring from a standing start on lap 1.Won the Indy 500 at the fastest average speed recorded at that time,he would have won it again the following year but for car problems(he finished 2nd) and he finished 3rd at Le Mans and won the British Touring Car Championship.
@peashumaru There was a protest filed by Andy Granatelli after the 1966 Indy 500. Many claim Clark lapped Graham Hill and that Hill never unlapped himself! Although the protest was denied, Hill's response was always, " I drank the milk, Mate!" But isn't it interesting that he didn't say, "I won fair and square. Yes Clark lapped me on lap X, I uncapped myself on lap Y." It's likely a scoring error no one wanted to own up to that today wouldn't happen because of transponders on board. You want a real mess? Look up the 1981 Indy 500! Mario Andretti and Bobby Unser.🤯
@kevin paul halliday I'm sure THEY did, being friends. The car owners?... Not so much! Andy Granatelli was a very bitter man when the topic came up. John Mecom, Jr. was the other owner. Only 7 cars finished. I think it's still the fewest ever. Clark's car was never right. It was designed for the BRM 16 cylinder engine.The shop had a break in and most of the parts were stolen, and there was Clark driving a Ford V8 half as short as the BRM. Amazing he did as well as he did.
I always had respect for DC, now it’s even more , nice video, Jim Clark was for sure the best, thanks to all the mechanics for bringing back such great memories
While Jim Clarke was that good,let's not forget,BRM and Graham Hill,John Surtees,Ferrari,the Cooper Climax,they all contributed to the greatest era of Formula 1.
Jim Clark, making us Scottish motorsport fans proud! Jim Clark is truely the greatest and I must not forget the many other Scottish racing drivers out there! Love from Scotland
This is the kind of moment that makes you want to believe in heaven, and that all great people go there directly. Or for Jim's case, drive there directly.
This video choked me up and I darn near cried watching it. Jim Clark was my boyhood hero, and to a lesser degree, Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart. Can you imagine building cars like this again, capturing the essence of Formula 1, and having today's drivers race them. Ditto for NASCAR getting away from cookie-cutter cars that aren't real cars at all. Jim Clark was the greatest of his day, with Moss before him and Fangio before that. Stewart replaced Clark as the best of his day.
I cried like a baby, although my all time hero has always been Senna. I ddidn't know the story behind Jim Clark, but now he is my favourtie F1 driver ever.
And now they have all been replaced by the Greatest Gran Prix Driver Ever... Lewis Hamilton. If Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart were "Batman and Robin" than Lewis Hamilton is "Superman." And Max Verstappen is the "Joker."
Look at those guys, proper gentleman, proper enthusiasts, proper racers. What a legend Clark was and what a car the 25 and the 49 were. Lotus now a days is such an underrated brand imo...they deserve so much more credit than they get...
I first met Bob Dance in the late 1990's, one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Good to see him in this video as I have not seen in person since 2013.
jockellis. Snap! I was tearing up just looking at the car, but the boy David whooping at speed just did it for me. I saw Clark several times at Crystal Palace, memorably in the MkI Lotus Cortina teamed with Jochen Rindt. They would both go through Ramp Bend with sparks coming off the suspension or exhausts. I saw him at Brands a couple of times, but I never saw him in an F1 car. I never knew that both Fangio and Senna regarded him as the greatest driver ever, but I have always thought that myself. Yes, Fangio, Senna, Schumacher, (Mansell not so much) and even Lewis (who I regard as very nearly as good - he's quite 'gentle' with cars and tires) were all 'great drivers' in their time (Lewis still is, of course.) But they all specialised on F1. As the ex-Lotus man said; 'Give him a shopping trolley and he could make it go fast.) Clark did it all and won, consistently. He won the BTCC. He won Indy. He won sports racing car races, and F2 races. He once drove 'Remus', a famous 1949 ERA in a vintage race and drove it faster than an ERA had ever been driven before. Jim Clark was, truly, the greatest racing driver ever.
What a special film. I must admit, it brought a tear to my eye. One of my favourite F1 cars, connected to the incredible legacy of one of my favourite drivers. I was too old to ever see him race, which in and of itself, shows just what a legend Clark was. The love and devotion of those mechanics and engineers to keep that car running so that others can share in that driving experience, and just to see and hear it run, was beautiful to witness.
Back when motor racing was about heroes. From the mechanic that mops the garage after an all nighter, to the drivers that risked their lives, literally..
Everything about this video clip is amazing! The car is beautiful - Jay Leno should have this in his garage. The production team did a very good job of including the mechanics of those days and having them reminisce about Jim Clark. That in itself gives today's generation an insight of what F1 was like in the 1960s. Good job!
So pleasing to hear the hands on mechanics relaying the stories from the time Jim drove. Remarkable men, all of them, realising they covered all of the work on the car. Jim, I believe, raced on all continents and it's fair to say he would have left his mark everywhere. I was lucky enough to see him race in Australia where he showed his masterful best by winning at least three of the four Tasman Series he came here for in the mid 60's.
The first GP car I remember and I had the Scalextrix model of it. 220bhp from that little Coventry climax V8 and marvellous Lotus chassis. A work of art and those mechanics are national treasures IMO.
Absolutely stunning production. DC obviously loved the experience and showed huge respect for the old team members. A special nod of thanks to the sound editor for the use of Man Of Steel's "Flight" track as DC launched the Lotus 25, I found myself choking up. Well done to everyone involved.
I thought it was very telling a while back when, during a press call of some description, the legends of the past were mentioned as part of a tribute. When Lewis was asked to give his thoughts and feelings, he answered with his 24/7 force field of PR colouring every word. He referred to Clark as James Clark, before Seb tried to help out with a quiet, "It's _Jim_ Clark."
Clark is the greatest Most gifted racing driver of them all, even better than Fangio in my opinion. No one since has came anywhere near his driving ability. Senna fans should take note & pay homage to the master!
I believe JC was a pupil at Loretto in Musselburgh - and I understand that Senna paid a visit to the school, presumably because he himself was a great fan of Clark.
I went to the 1965 Indy 500. Jim Clark started second, and started lapping the field in 10 laps.
That is greatness.
I was at the 1993 Indy 500 with Nigel Mansell leading late in the race sitting at turn 1 proclaiming loudly: "The Formula 1 Champion is leading the Indy 500" to my friend as at least a dozen fans, much older than me, turned and looked back at me like they had not heard that in 2 decades. It was my tribute to Clark and the F1 drivers coming to Indy in the 60's, in disbelief that Mansell was about to do it to only jinx him as Fittipaldi and a couple others passed Mansell at the re-start.
He almost won the next year too-the lap count against Graham was in doubt. I blame the red paintjob!😄
Greatness yes but LEGENDARY status came with things like, winning the British GP and then on the way home he picks up a random guy and takes him to the airport... who sits in the car and then asks, after 5 mins of staring at him... "Are you Jim Clark?"
He laughed and said.. Yes, I am..
My Dads mate said "I've just seen you win the GP and now you're giving me a lift.. What a day."
That was the type of guy he was.. Hence Gentleman Jim.
He was the real GOAT this is what Fangio said.
Made me sad. The mechanics clearly miss Jim Clark
We all miss Jim Clark.
@@davefloyd9443absolutely great to see the seat being kept warm from one champion to another 🇦🇺
They’ve missed him for decades.😢
@@DonWan47 👍🇦🇺
That story about him cutting the engine around Woodcote corner is just awesome!
+Matty B Did a similar thing at Wombwell last season. Engine sounded a little off powering midway down the straight so eased off momentarily, just slightly to preserve it for remaining 5 minutes or so of C final. Fortunately had a lap over chasing driver so had that luxury (he never knew, thought he was catching me).
Your Dad What makes you think it's bullshit. As somebody who knows a bit about racing, the moment I read "Had a lap over chasing driver" - That is a big indication (not definite but big) that they were in the back of their Class or midfield/backfield.
Personally, instead of being the prick that has to doubt everything on the internet, I actually take this with a small lump of truth. It's a big world, a lot of people race and everybody watches YT... Maybe, just maybe... Somebody who races, posted their experience on a racing video on RUclips. *Gasp* I know... Mental right...
Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart - two Scots and an Englishman representing the absolute best of British. Three close friends, two lost tragically, one remained who made sure Grand Prix racing would be safer for future generations. I wish we had the characters of yesteryear, today. Legends.
❤❤❤❤😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😮😮
Jim Clark was the smoothest and fastest driver ever. A magician of speed.
Love the mechanics, they seem so humble and happy to share their piece of brilliance. Great to see people being so proud of their work, really touches the heart.
Well, it was craftmanship. 150% of it. Today it's telemetry and computers.. Back then it was gutfeelings and experience. No doubt, like they said in the film, they paid as much attention to details but it was more pure engineering. My hat off to them all, both the ones that didn't make it and those that are still around. It was pure racing.
When the mechanics heared the engine roaring again, I think the went back in time
British mechanics all. They were legendary, but they were also quite fickle.
When called to the colours, they beat the Ferraris. When that ugliness escalated into war, of course they beat the Nazis. But only when called to the colours.
Otherwise, they might have stayed out of it until normal racing was resumed.
In all other situations since then, unhappily, they went on strike - and wiped out their own industry in the process.
Now, they all hope to work for Mercedes. Which must seem like punishment. I hope so.
Erik van der Bijl yeah... it was so genuine I almost smelled the oil. Great video.
They have every reason imaginable to be proud of it. Its art.
Jim Clark was my first boyhood hero, before I discovered music and girls!! I was so upset when he died even at that young age. Looking at his car gives me tingles, it is so beautiful and sounds immense
He was my boyhood hero too. That's saying something since I am American. No one I grew up with had any idea who he was. I built a model of that car. It was how I learned about engines and suspensions, etc. as I had to piece everything together individually.
he won by 5 mins in the rain?! that literally left me speechless! wow what a legendary scottsman and what a legendary lotus in that b-e-a-u-tiful british racing green
So nice to see those old boys from the original team, seeing their baby go through it's paces again. The joy on their faces says it all.
Jim Clark was a hero to us lads back in the 1960s. I remember well the day he died. F1 has changed beyond all recognition and I no longer watch it but this video brought back so many memories of those days. Great to hear words from the pit crews too; the often unsung heroes who kept things going. Think I'll watch 'Grand Prix' tonight now.
how was the race?
I arrived in England aged 15 in Feb 1968 - planning to go to the British Grand Prix that year to watch my great hero -sadly it was not to be - I did not go to a grand Prix for a long time after that
I work in Duns, where Jim Clark lived. They still talk about him to this day. There’s a museum dedicated to him and this weekend there was a celebration for the 60th anniversary of his first GP title in 1963. The Jim Clark rally takes place around the area each year
Jim was a genius ,greatest ever driver behind the wheel of a race car. I always wonder what he would have achieved if he hadn't went to Hockenheim that weekend. Jim your sadly missed by myself and a huge fan base. RIP Jim Clark 🙏
Racing in it's purest form. My deepest respect for the drivers and engineers.
What a lovely tribute, as ever Coulthard is pure class
Exact1044 yes well said 👍🇦🇺
British Racing Green... such a beautiful colour
AlfredTheGreat Ikr
That's not BRG, British Racing Green is much darker, almost black, the Lotus was probably Almond Green. Look at the Cooper Climax or a 1930s racing Bentley they were BRG.
I agree though, that Lotus looks absolutely beautiful.
Gail Raby There was no official BRG. Britain's racing color was 'green' and each team had their own specific shade.
It's the BRG that I remember.
Amen! National colours for livery.
"By concentrating on the braking, by concentrating on the way through the corner, by concentrating on the amount of throttle open, power I can get out of a corner, I don't drive any faster, I just concentrate harder, which makes me go faster" Jim Clark.
Sometimes things in F1 are just perfect, and this was one of them.
What a thrill for those old mechanics to be out at the track with 'their' car, and to see and hear it running again.
Don't know about you guys but I got terribly emotional to tears watching this. The legend... the sound!
I understand exactly what he means when he says about not scrubbing off speed in the corners since the car is underpowered.
Underpowered is of course a relative term but it is similar to flying a light aircraft, many of which have little excess of power and a good pilot of those machines gets to learn all about "energy management" and to develop a light touch if he is to get the most performance from the machine.
In my schooldays at age about 15 I met Jim Clark - for maybe 60 seconds or so! He was going out with a schoolmate's sister, a girl older than us. Sister and Jim Clark came to the boarding school to collect the schoolmate, her brother. I helped the schoolmate carry his bags to the car that Clark was driving (which wasn't anything special as I recall) and was introduced to the sister and Jim Clark.
60 seconds in the presence of motor racing genius!
"finished 5 minutes before everyone else in the rain"?! WOW, Clark was indeed the man!! Great job by Coulthard, very humble!
In 1967 Clark was so far ahead by the end of the first lap at Spa that the race steward assumed that a big crash had taken out everyone else, and had time to phone round the Marshall points before anyone else completed the lap. However Clark didn't win that race as the engine went.
Ironically, it was a wet start at Spa that triggered the massive crash at la Source involving David Coulthard in an active role. C'est la vie!
If only he had lived...think of the stories he could tell. Think of how wonderful it might be to be able to see him telling stories with Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart. RIP Jim Clark.
4:51 "You're driving it - you're living it"
An era when the driver was an integral part of a car's success.
Graham Clayton Would you agree that drivers now have it easy
Not easier, but different. The cars aren't as forgiving in terms of older cars - the gap between control and no control is very small, whereas drivers knew in the older cars that they could slide the car without it "snapping" and spinning.
Graham Clayton A fair point
And an integral part of the crash structure.
@@asd36f It was an era when there were lots of crashes, and many Formula 1 drivers died each year
Jim Clark was my Father's hero....one of only 2 times I ever saw tears from his eyes.....and it was when he heard the news of Jim Clark's demise........RIP, Flying Scotsman and RIP, my "Pops"...... great video, was emotional for me to see this wonderful car.......
Just a perfect piece of moviemaking. There's pride in the eyes, pain and satisfaction, maybe a teardrop by those now old folks, who we're there when the story starts. Bless you guys, never forget Jimmy Clark!
One word, amazing! These old guys are legends!
‘It was a legendary period”
Says it all really.
Gentleman Jim, a legend. Always fondly remembered.
The smiles on the mechanics' faces when DC starts the engine is priceless
What a great clip seeing a modern day driver, although retired, be able to get into a LEGENDS Race Car, and feel what its was like back in the day when literally seat of the pants driving was what it was all about. Jim Clark was man BORN TO DRIVE and what is amazing is that no computers, no high tech gear just flat out drivers skill and feel of the car. It was just as fun to watch the old crew and mechanics who took just as much pleasure being able to relive so to speak the days when Clark was behind the wheel and their facial expressions and smiles said it all. R.I.P. to Jim Clark a TRUE RACER who was really ahead of his time and to close, what a awesome looking car.
one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
Jim had been dead 14 years by the time I was born but I felt very emotional watching this clip. He's a motor racing legend and will never be forgotten
Love the old dudes that where there. God Speed Jim Clark
Brilliant, such genuine people and so much passion.
This really shows how great Jim Clark was. Not to take anything away from drivers today but F1 is a bit sterile. Love David Coulthards assessment of how hard it was to drive the car.
A magnificent tribute to the great legends of Jim Clark and Lotus racing cars.
Лотус великая конюшня,когда они вернутся ,без них формула 1 не та
That brought a tear to my eye.
I still feel that he was alone on the podium with Fangio, the two best drivers ever! Thanx for the memories! Russ Andrews, Watkins Glen, Race Communications Association
Thank you David and the BBC for this beautiful tribute to that beautiful car, the Lotus team that created and maintained it and Jim Clark, who truly deserves to be called a legend. Those who say that a driver needs to be ruthless or reckless to be a champion: Jim Clark and others of that era, showed that it was possible to be the best and win with honor.
Beautifully done tribute. As a teenager I was privileged to have seen Jim Clark in his golden days, at Brands, Crystal Palace, Silverstone and other venues. Everything said here is true. He was absolutely magical to watch, not just in F1 but in saloons and sports cars - in fact anything he drove. No sawing at the wheel, no drama. Just perfect lines and never missed an apex. It was truly poetry in motion. Even more spectacular in the Lotus Cortina which was simply breathtaking to watch. For me and many others who saw him live, he was undoubtedly the most gifted driver of all time, by far. I once saw him come third in an F2 race and was initially dissapointed - until I learned that for almost the entire race he was stuck in fifth gear. Anyone else would either have retired or be lapped. But he came third because he could adapt to any mechanical problem and still drive very fast.
Hope I got the chance to ever see him live but I'm only 18 years old. Never get tired of listening and reading to all the legendary stories about him.
"your driving it" Thanks lads for keeping Jimmy's memory alive.
49 years ago today Jimmy! It seems like it was yesterday. Nobody has ever replaced you.
I love the look of rapt joy on the mechanics' faces, reminds be of a time long gone when Formula One was 100% passion-driven.
It is a very emotional clip. Having that car yet again rumbling on the circuit driven by another Scott F1 driver is a very special moment. Those days of F1 are gone forever when less strict FIA rules allowed genius designers to come forward with brake through technologies. Jimmy and Colin will live in our memories forever.
Kartraceone Jim clerk died due to lack of regs.
Jim Clark might have died due to regulations but at least he died a hero, unlike many 'forgotten' drivers that simply retired. For example, I doubt we'll hear about and remember Nico Rosberg after the same amount of time has elapsed for him as for Jim Clark between his death and today.
Quitting at the height of your career or simply being gone at the height of your career... there's quite a difference in how the people will remember you as a result.
I'm sure that at least his family would prefer to have him around than to remember him.
José Silva That might be true but you have to respect each other's choices in life, even when they are hard to swallow sometimes. It is very selfish to only think about the feelings and wishes of the family and not about the feelings and wishes of the deceased.
Jim Clark was chose to become a racing driver well knowing the fact that in those cars you could die in a heartbeat, even against the wishes of his parents and that of a comparitively quiet and relatively safe farmers lifestyle. He even had a girlfriend who also knew what she got in to. All around him nontheless had to respect his wishes to go racing.
He wanted the thrill of living on the edge, and he got it. Another goes skydiving nowadays with the risk of the parachute not deploying for instance. Some people love to live on the edge, sometimes simply because it makes them feel alive.
Personally I believe we should respect Jim Clark his wishes like his family did, and yes it is true that it is a sad thing that his family and we the fans of the sport have to remember him, but let us remember him for doing what he did best and loved the most. Not because we feel it was foolish to drive in metal coffins as per modern standards of safety.
So respect the man, respect the era. I am sure he felt the thrill of living every second he drove that car right until the end.
Kartraceone I take your point about restrictive regulations and break-through technologies, and that may well be true these days...but don't confuse safe design with limiting creativity. Two different things altogether. And frankly mindlessly "adding lightness" without appropriate engineering analysis is what got Jimmy Clark killed (not excessive creativity).
These F1 cars are my favourite design ever - before wings and aero made such an impact. Obviously dangerous as heck but stunning works of engineering art.
So fans complain about a leader nowadays being 30 or 40 second ahead in a race. He was 5 minutes ahead! Wow. Great story about cutting the engine and coasting.
Jim Clark, the Best Race Drive Ever.....No1
No doubt about that in my view.
This was before my time but I always liked Nigel Mansell who was also before my time.
The most naturally gifted driver without doubt..
Clark. Senna. Fangio. Schumacher. G. Villeneuve.
@@fredericopinto2943 Prost. Lauda.
Jim Clark was my sporting hero in the 60's. One of the true legends!
Having begun racing shortly after this car ruled F1, I can appreciate some of the comments by Coulthard and the mechanics about the "old school" nature of both the car and driving technique. We've come a long way, and some modern street vehicles can surpass this car's overall performance, but nobody could surpass Jim Clark's legendary performance in wrangling these fragile beasts.
Jim Clark,one of the all time greatest F-1 drivers. Good job DC!
I watched him many times at Oulton Park in the 60s, sports cars, saloon, formula 2...Jim was fantastic and that Lotus was years ahead of any other..great to see
Seeing the smiles of Jim Clark and DC connecting the past and present across 50 years of Formula 1 is amazing. Thanks Motorsport for doing this I buy it every month it's my favorite mag. Cheers.
Jim Clark = Legend. Won the Belgian Grand Prix by 4 mins. 54 secs.in the rain.Lost a lap in the Italian GP with a flat tyre,made up the lost lap and re-took the lead only to run out of fuel and coast across the line in 3rd place. Broke the lap record at the Nurburgring from a standing start on lap 1.Won the Indy 500 at the fastest average speed recorded at that time,he would have won it again the following year but for car problems(he finished 2nd) and he finished 3rd at Le Mans and won the British Touring Car Championship.
andy elliott He was sublime, nobody for me comes close to JC
Had he not died at Hockenheim, he could have won the 1968 Indianapolis 500 in the Lotus 56 turbine car.
Some say he actually won the 1966 Indy 500, but a scoring error was made giving Graham Hill the victory. It was/is very controversial.
@peashumaru There was a protest filed by Andy Granatelli after the 1966 Indy 500. Many claim Clark lapped Graham Hill and that Hill never unlapped himself! Although the protest was denied, Hill's response was always, " I drank the milk, Mate!" But isn't it interesting that he didn't say, "I won fair and square. Yes Clark lapped me on lap X, I uncapped myself on lap Y." It's likely a scoring error no one wanted to own up to that today wouldn't happen because of transponders on board. You want a real mess? Look up the 1981 Indy 500! Mario Andretti and Bobby Unser.🤯
@kevin paul halliday I'm sure THEY did, being friends. The car owners?... Not so much! Andy Granatelli was a very bitter man when the topic came up. John Mecom, Jr. was the other owner. Only 7 cars finished. I think it's still the fewest ever. Clark's car was never right. It was designed for the BRM 16 cylinder engine.The shop had a break in and most of the parts were stolen, and there was Clark driving a Ford V8 half as short as the BRM. Amazing he did as well as he did.
Clark was the greatest natural talent in motorsport history, beyond question.
David: "...you have to be quiet sharp with the steering..."
Old guy: "You are driving it."
😂😂😂😂
yep he was having to the old steering wheel dancing in the hand comes to mind real driving .
Jim Clark was my childhood hero. I had goosebumps watching.
yes very special. David is so good with words, sometimes it amazes me.
Man...David is such a good fellow. God bless dc walking on earth among us
I always had respect for DC, now it’s even more , nice video, Jim Clark was for sure the best, thanks to all the mechanics for bringing back such great memories
Wonderful! For me JC will always be the greatest.
if Fangio says you were the greatest , guess what you were , the greatest , without doubt....
Ayrton Senna said the same
Clearly the greatest Gran Prix driver yet to come is Lewis Hamilton.
it says the old man was very modest
While Jim Clarke was that good,let's not forget,BRM and Graham Hill,John Surtees,Ferrari,the Cooper Climax,they all contributed to the greatest era of Formula 1.
@@robertslaughter7044 nope
A very beautiful tribute to Jim Clark, the team, the Lotus 25 and that period of Formula One
Jim Clark, making us Scottish motorsport fans proud! Jim Clark is truely the greatest and I must not forget the many other Scottish racing drivers out there! Love from Scotland
This is the kind of moment that makes you want to believe in heaven, and that all great people go there directly. Or for Jim's case, drive there directly.
Yes, and drive quickly.
Jim took pole position to heaven
Incrível Lotus, Jim Clarck, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, Ayrton Senna... Fantástico, equipe fantástica ❤️🇧🇷 🇬🇧 🤝
its the most beautyfull F1 car ever...for one of the best driver ever R.I.P JIM CLARK
Those were the days made only for legends. Fantastic video!
Add to the legend of Jim Clark. I recall watching and following his legendary career and was really upset to learn he was killed
Fantastic tribute to a great team supporting the best driver the worlds ever seen
This video choked me up and I darn near cried watching it. Jim Clark was my boyhood hero, and to a lesser degree, Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart. Can you imagine building cars like this again, capturing the essence of Formula 1, and having today's drivers race them. Ditto for NASCAR getting away from cookie-cutter cars that aren't real cars at all. Jim Clark was the greatest of his day, with Moss before him and Fangio before that. Stewart replaced Clark as the best of his day.
Lets not forget Bruce McLaren...
I do tear up whenever I watch anything with Jim Clark.
Dont forget the guys from downunder, Black Jack and the Bear.
As for the modern hitech and characature cars I agree.
I cried like a baby, although my all time hero has always been Senna. I ddidn't know the story behind Jim Clark, but now he is my favourtie F1 driver ever.
And now they have all been replaced by the Greatest Gran Prix Driver Ever... Lewis Hamilton.
If Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart were "Batman and Robin" than Lewis Hamilton is "Superman." And Max Verstappen is the "Joker."
I was a tween and a young teen and Clark meant so much to my impressionable self ... those impressions were strong and are easy to revisit.
Look at those guys, proper gentleman, proper enthusiasts, proper racers. What a legend Clark was and what a car the 25 and the 49 were. Lotus now a days is such an underrated brand imo...they deserve so much more credit than they get...
I first met Bob Dance in the late 1990's, one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Good to see him in this video as I have not seen in person since 2013.
The best looking F1 car ever.
Beautifully done .Thanks!
Man, i think that was a great experience for Coulthard! This mechanics are legends... i crying, really...
Excellent production, sound, camera work, thank you.
The mechanics are really amazing. The passion is intact.
Hard for a guy my age to keep from tearing up to see images of his hero and his car being driven today.
jockellis. Snap! I was tearing up just looking at the car, but the boy David whooping at speed just did it for me. I saw Clark several times at Crystal Palace, memorably in the MkI Lotus Cortina teamed with Jochen Rindt. They would both go through Ramp Bend with sparks coming off the suspension or exhausts. I saw him at Brands a couple of times, but I never saw him in an F1 car.
I never knew that both Fangio and Senna regarded him as the greatest driver ever, but I have always thought that myself. Yes, Fangio, Senna, Schumacher, (Mansell not so much) and even Lewis (who I regard as very nearly as good - he's quite 'gentle' with cars and tires) were all 'great drivers' in their time (Lewis still is, of course.) But they all specialised on F1. As the ex-Lotus man said; 'Give him a shopping trolley and he could make it go fast.) Clark did it all and won, consistently. He won the BTCC. He won Indy. He won sports racing car races, and F2 races. He once drove 'Remus', a famous 1949 ERA in a vintage race and drove it faster than an ERA had ever been driven before.
Jim Clark was, truly, the greatest racing driver ever.
Goosebumps. Awesome stuff!
"For a moment I almost felt like Jim Clark"
What a special film. I must admit, it brought a tear to my eye. One of my favourite F1 cars, connected to the incredible legacy of one of my favourite drivers. I was too old to ever see him race, which in and of itself, shows just what a legend Clark was. The love and devotion of those mechanics and engineers to keep that car running so that others can share in that driving experience, and just to see and hear it run, was beautiful to witness.
Back when motor racing was about heroes. From the mechanic that mops the garage after an all nighter, to the drivers that risked their lives, literally..
- You're driving it.
- Yes absolutely, but you living it you know...
Awesome!
Great footage, Clark was the greatest of them all...goosebumps!
Everything about this video clip is amazing! The car is beautiful - Jay Leno should have this in his garage. The production team did a very good job of including the mechanics of those days and having them reminisce about Jim Clark. That in itself gives today's generation an insight of what F1 was like in the 1960s. Good job!
So pleasing to hear the hands on mechanics relaying the stories from the time Jim drove. Remarkable men, all of them, realising they covered all of the work on the car. Jim, I believe, raced on all continents and it's fair to say he would have left his mark everywhere. I was lucky enough to see him race in Australia where he showed his masterful best by winning at least three of the four Tasman Series he came here for in the mid 60's.
The first GP car I remember and I had the Scalextrix model of it. 220bhp from that little Coventry climax V8 and marvellous Lotus chassis. A work of art and those mechanics are national treasures IMO.
I met Jim Clark at Ingilston in the early '60s when it was still used for racing.
You can tell they weren't just his mechanics but his friends such an awsome piece of automotive history and machinery
Love this!...just wish they had a full lap with david talking us around...ho hum!
I don't think he could compose himself long enough to speak. Pure happiness.
Absolutely stunning production. DC obviously loved the experience and showed huge respect for the old team members. A special nod of thanks to the sound editor for the use of Man Of Steel's "Flight" track as DC launched the Lotus 25, I found myself choking up. Well done to everyone involved.
I thought it was very telling a while back when, during a press call of some description, the legends of the past were mentioned as part of a tribute. When Lewis was asked to give his thoughts and feelings, he answered with his 24/7 force field of PR colouring every word. He referred to Clark as James Clark, before Seb tried to help out with a quiet, "It's _Jim_ Clark."
I cried a little
Honestly I did a little too. DC is in something so historic. What an honor. I'm a big fan of DC as well.
mi too
+sas147741 Without this melancholic music, you wouldn't cry ! It would be more interesting without the feels coming into your eyes lol
I almost did mate tbh.
Clark is the greatest
Most gifted racing driver of them all, even better than Fangio in my opinion. No one since has came anywhere near his driving ability. Senna fans should take note & pay homage to the master!
I believe JC was a pupil at Loretto in Musselburgh - and I understand that Senna paid a visit to the school, presumably because he himself was a great fan of Clark.
Some say he brought the cars back in better condition than when he left the garage.
both Fangio and Senna considered Clark to be the best ever f1 driver
Jim was my boyhood hero; I still have a model Lotus 25 on my desk. Fabulous.
Mine too
a loud and animated Coulthard tells you everything. I've never seen him like that.
Jim Clark: The quintessential driver and the early Lotus, the quintessential F1 car. Enough said!
classy wee piece, nice job you buggars...felt the back of my throat tightening up.
Lotus deserves help to be back in F1. it's a big part of it . I was so happy when they returned in 2010 ... but then !
A bit too short video to a so historical and emotional moment.
Thank you for the fantastic video and the amazing reunion.
One of
The Greats . Thank you for the wonderful video.