Folk hero

Sir
I have just read the Jan ’92 issue of MOTOR SPORT re the Jim Clark Memorial Trophy Room story.

As a Jim Clark fan from when he started at Lotus I feel I have to write. If as the story says the room needs brightening up, do this by all means. But the name stays as The Jim Clark Memorial Trophy Room. As Graham Gauld says, Jim Clark is the story. I read of Jim’s race in a Lotus 23 at the Nurburgring 1000km in 1962 where after 8 laps he had a 2-minute lead beating Ferraris, Porsches, Astons etc, until the exhaust broke and fumes made him spin off; all this with only 1500cc says a lot for his ability. This had a lasting impression on me. So much so that every Tasman Series from 1964 to 1968 I watched him race at Sandown Park and Longford Tasmania. I saved and took my holidays to do it. That was the effect Jim Clark had on people.

His 1968 Sandown race stands out. He raced Chris Amon over 100 laps in 100 deg heat to win by 10 feet. When he got out of the car he looked as though he could have done it again. His race-craft and gentlemanly ways made him a hero to many people. My two daughters are lucky not to be boys as I know what one’s name would have been.

My sister visited Scotland 2 years ago. I had mentioned she should visit Duns and see the Trophy room. She did, liked it and placed a flower on his grave. I intend to visit Duns and the Trophy room in the future. People of Duns, Scotland, you have a Folk Hero in Jim Clark. He has made your town known the world over.

I hope sense prevails and that the Jim Clark Memorial Trophy Room is open to fans old and new to visit in years to come.
Michael Johnstone,
Victoria,
Australia.