Keeping the memory alive
The Jim Clark Museum houses a priceless collection of artefacts for a racing nostalgia hit
Lotus Cortina BJH 417B slots in to its temporary home, alongside original Clark racewear and other memorabilia
A short drive from the Chirnside farm where Jim Clark grew up is Duns, a small market town in the Scottish Borders that has been home to the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum since it was opened by Sir Jackie Stewart in August 2019. Here you will discover an array of historic Clark artefacts, from original racing cars to trophies, overalls and posters.
Two of Clark’s competition cars take centre stage. His Formula 1 Lotus 25 chassis R6, on loan from Switzerland’s Museum Tinguely, was raced in 10 grands prix from 1963-65, with wins in the British, French, Dutch and Belgian GPs. Clark’s twin-cam Lotus Cortina is also in residence, now owned by Scottish former IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti. This is the vehicle that won every round of the British Saloon Car Championship in 1964. And a further motoring gem has recently arrived.
Another aspect of the museum is a hoard of more than 130 trophies, medals, cups and various items of racing memorabilia that are displayed in the Jim Clark Room – which pre-dates the museum. It is a memorial space that has been in existence since 1969 and has been visited by a number of racing drivers down the years – including Ayrton Senna. The silverware is a gift from Clark’s parents for public display and charts the champ’s career from his early successes in the Berwick & District Motor Club and Border Reivers and on to his F1, F2, saloon car and sports car triumphs.
A glittering array of the silverware accumulated by a driver who won 25 of his 72 World Championship grands prix
Although Clark was never one to seek the cameras, he was nevertheless one of the most-photographed sportsmen of his generation and images are a major part of the museum experience. There are also films on touchscreen cinema to transport visitors back to the 1960s racetrack, as well as interviews with mechanics, friends and family.
The museum is now open Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm (closed Wed), Sun 1pm-4.30pm. The bistro is open Tue-Sun 10am-4pm.
Visit jimclarktrust.com or contact The Jim Clark Museum, 42 Newtown Street, Duns, Scottish Borders, TD11 3AU. Tel: 01361 883960. The museum has a 5-star Visit Scotland Award and won the Collection category at the 2019 RAC Historic Awards.