Jim Clark special: Foreword by Dario Franchitti, MBE

I have a huge passion for racing history – and a special fascination with Jim Clark. I was born five years after he died, but his was one of the names regularly discussed in our house when I was growing up. My real interest started in 1993, though, when I was driving in Formula Vauxhall Lotus for Jackie and Paul Stewart. That year there was a dinner in Edinburgh, to commemorate 25 years of Jim’s passing, and Jackie said he’d like me to attend.

I sat next to Eric Dymock, one of Jim’s biographers, and all night I heard fantastic stories from absolutely everyone I met. It was only then that I began to appreciate just what an incredible man he had been, which inspired me to find out as much about him as I could. From that point on, it was a mission that has morphed into a bit of an obsession.

I bought his 1964 British Saloon Car Championship-winning Lotus Cortina and in Scotland I have a room that’s full of his old stuff, including race suit, driving shoes, documentation for some of his aeroplanes, all kinds of things. I guess my favourite piece is the pitboard from his winning drive in the 1965 Indy 500.

It was one of the highlights of my life to drive his Indy-winning Lotus 38 at the Brickyard in 2010. When asked if I’d do it, I said I’d love to but that the car was owned by Ford and I didn’t think there was any chance they would agree. That bit had already been arranged beforehand, without my knowing…

And while winning the Indy 500 is obviously incredibly special, it had extra resonance for me because of his success there. Somebody caught the moment after my first Indy victory in 2007 – Jim’s likeness on the trophy with me in the background, nursing a terrible hangover at about 7am!

It’s not just the fact Jim Clark was one of the best drivers ever – quite possibly the best – but he was such a fascinating character. It’s the stuff I’ve heard about the way he conducted himself, his personality, his kindness and how he could be shy yet also extraordinarily good fun. I love sitting with his contemporaries and hearing these things. And the more I’ve heard, the more I appreciate what he achieved.

I have met Clark devotees all over the world – and many have come up to me with scrapbooks, or old photos, telling me that nobody else in their family is interested and asking whether I’d like to look after them. I have given many of them to the Jim Clark Museum, of which I am honoured to be a patron. It contains so much amazing stuff, is much bigger than its predecessor and pays proper tribute to a truly great sportsman.

As and when you can, I’d urge everybody to visit Duns to take a look.

Dario Franchitti
Indycar champion 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
Indy 500 winner 2007, 2010, 2012.