As my namesake Hannibal Smith said in just about every episode of The A-Team: “I love it when a plan comes together.” The 1980s TV-gold catchphrase, not to mention George Peppard’s cigar-chomping grin, sprang to mind several times as the deadline loomed for the August issue. Why? Because this one made us sweat even more than Jacky Ickx and Mario Andretti last month, and when our cover story plan finally did come together, it was Havanas all round.
Last summer Jim Clark’s Indy 500-winning Lotus 38 returned to these shores and stole the show at the Goodwood Festival of Speed as a static display. Clive Chapman, son of Colin and the boss of Classic Team Lotus, told us about a plan to carry out the most sensitive of restorations to this monumentally important relic of racing history in order for the car to run up the hill in 2010. That was enough for me. I decided there and then that the restored 38 had to be on the cover of Motor Sport ahead of this year’s Festival – and luckily for me, Clive agreed.
Deputy editor Gordon Cruickshank tracked progress at CTL through the winter, paying a visit to Norfolk in January to witness the original Team Lotus ‘boys’ get reacquainted with the old girl. But as winter turned to spring, Clive had bad news. He had doubts that 38 would be ready for us to photograph in time to make the issue. Crikey. Now where did I file that plan B?
But in true Lotus style, Clive gritted his teeth and made a decision. His boys would meet their deadline – and hence help us hit ours – and do whatever it took to get the car ready. He was determined that Jimmy’s Indy winner would grace Motor Sport’s front cover, as we’d all hoped.
We booked one of our favourite snappers, Greg Pajo, lined up a studio local to the team and crossed our fingers. Clive had asked if the shoot could be carried out in the evening, to give the team more time to complete the finishing touches. It was that tight. In the office we pressed on with other pages, nervously waiting for news. Then a message from Greg: the green-with-a-yellow-stripe racer with the odd-looking offset wishbones was being wheeled out of a truck and into the studio. It was gonna be all right.
In the days that followed, Greg delivered his gorgeous images, Gordon’s words were laid out on the page, we put the cover together and the anxiety drained away. Thanks to Clive and everyone at CTL, we had our cover and a cracking story to match. It’s one I’m particularly proud of. When you see the issue, I think you’ll see why.
Don’t miss the chance to see the Lotus 38 and two other Jim Clark classics – the 25 and 49 – at the Lotus Festival at Snetterton on June 20. Motor Sport will be there to join the celebrations. Do come and say hello.
I look forward to getting my issue to read about this amazing piece of history. Lotus and Clark are remembered fondly from their Tasman Series visits in the ’60′s. Just hope that your distributor can get it to me quicker than the three weeks it took the last one to reach me in Sydney.
Slightly gutted my trip to the UK from NZ begins on the 21st so will miss my old “home team” at Snetterton. Good to see Clive continuing to keep the CTL legacy alive ‘though.
I, too, look forward to receiving the July issue in Australia.
Delivery of the last few issues has been totally crazy, but, thanks to the efforts of Cara in your staff, I am finally up to date.
Looks like there is plenty of reading here.
Cant wait!
One of the few things worth looking forward to.
Delivery to RSA has been great since i subscribed.
Looking forward to the Renault review as they have really stood out for me this year.
have just read the article – oh brilliant – can’t make goodwood but am hoping to be at snetterton later in june, shame they are not goping to start the great car – would be interesting to read an interview with Len though
What an absolutely sensational magazine this month !
From the fantastic front cover to the evocative and atmospheric Parting Shot, a true feast for the eyes.
The very heart and soul of racing in print – Clark and Lotus, Le Mans, TK, JYS, Jaguar, Mille Miglia et al.
Many thanks one and all !
I saw the last F1 race Clark won,in !968, South Africa,and to this day he remains my epitome of a F1 driver: a gentleman and a racer.Sadly,few of the current ones can claim to be either.
Motorsport does more Jim Clark and Stirling Moss articles than everyone else combined… I mean it is INSANE the love these 2 get….. They were great, but there are about 50 other drivers that are due some ink…..
as usual a great read last month. One question relates to your inductions. Some great, and I use that word advisedly, drivers are getting on a bit. I think of Brabham in particular, but there are others for whom the travel is becoming difficult, how is it that relatively young and no less worthy recipients were inducted first. I can understand you don’t need 20 per year but it would be a great pity if some of the older guys did not make the cut and never had the opportunity to attend and be lauded in their lifetime.
keep up the good work, even if delivery in Melbourne is a bit erratic.
cheers
David
Michael – it is not insane to affeciandos of true motor sport greats and teh fact the best Motor Sport magazine wishes to honour and pay tribute to these great drivers above all else is one of the main reasons i will buy this magazine for the remainder of my days-
as someone once said – ‘you don’t like it – read something else’
Recently tracked down a copy of LIFE magazine dared July 16, 1965 which has an article and several page color layout of the #82 Lotus 38. Can’t wait to get my copy of MotorSport to add to the story published aso soon after it’s 1965 victory.
Hopefully the Henry Ford Museum will have the Lotus 38 appear at some Vintage sports car races in the U.S.A.! Mid-Ohio is only a few hours away! Ford & Mid-Ohio, are you listening?! I remember Sid Collins describing that car on the radio during a family cookout!
DS…. are you British by any chance?!
moi? mais oui- part Scots and part English- but international – current fave drivers
Nico Rosberg
Nico Hulkenberg [he will get better]
Jarno Trulli
wanna see Marco Andretti in F1
sorry if i sounded harsh MS – am rather a Jimmy Clark affeciando and have all the books et al- sad really but any article on Jimmy i welcome bristlingly
Michael, I agree that it’s insane that MS does more Clark and Moss stories than everyone else combined.
Everyone else combined really need to get their act together.
(No, I’m not British).
Well, I’m from down under and wouldn’t mind seeing a story on Jack Brabham. Hopefully the (mostly) young and vibrant editorial staff at MS can dig through the archives and remind everyone that Black Jack didn’t do too badly.
PS: If he is not included in the next Honour Roll induction then all of us here down-under will have to conclude that MS magazine is not Fair Dinkum!
I was probably too harsh… just seems like it comes around quite often though
Damien, going back to original story- went to snetterton today to try and see the Lotus 38, sadly it wasn’t there but what a day, Lotus heaven – and my gratitude to Lotus Racing as well as Team Lotus and the very impressive and efficient Clive Chapman- watching Jarno and Heikki battling in Lotus’s 72 and 77 was brilliant – actually it was fantastic and how they and everyone put themselves out for everyone is a tribute – thank you Lotus and Snetterton
Hi John, would really enjoy more stories about other ‘down-under’ racing legends ie Peter Brock, Stan Jones etc – or ideally the Tasman series [especially the years that Jimmywon the championship...]
but you are quite right to most of us Black Jack is a very deserving motor racing/ engineer hero, and i would liek to hear more of his Aussie days or his sons great drivers all