Jim Clark Celebration of 1965 at Duns
1965 was a special year for Team Lotus. Jim Clark won his second Formula One World Championship, took victory in the Indianapolis 500, claimed the Tasman Series title and won both Formula 2 championships. It was an remarkable year that cemented Jimmy's place as one of the greatest drivers of all time. It is safe to say that the achievements of 60 years ago celebrated at Duns this summer will more than likely never be repeated.
The weekend began with a ‘meet and greet’ Friday evening reception at the Clark family farm in Edington Mains. A hog roast and welcome drink or two were a special moment for the car owners, sponsors and special guests of the Jim Clark Trust. To replicate the well-known Lotus advertisment of a kilted Jimmy sitting on the car, Jimmy's personal Series 1 Elan, 997 NUR was displayed along the driveway.
The setting for this 60th Celebration extravaganza was the spectacular Duns Castle in the Border region of Scotland. The gothic landmark just a stone’s throw from the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum was the ideal venue to bring together some of the most significant cars in Jim Clark’s history. The run groups were appropriately led by the new CLARK Emira from Lotus Cars which was making it's UK public debut appearance.
CTL brought along five significant Clark cars, Types 18, 32B, 33, 35 and 49R2. Three of Clark’s four winning single-seaters from 1965 were present. Formula One chassis 33R11 made its debut at the non-championship Race of Champions at Brands Hatch before giving Clark back to back wins at Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone and the Nürburgring. Despite sitting out of Monaco to compete at (and win) the Indianapolis 500, Clark comfortably won that year’s F1 World Championship.
The Type 33 sat alongside the Type 35 with which Clark won the British and European F2 championships in 1965. Run by Ron Harris it last changed hands in 1970 and has remained in unrestored condition exactly as it was when it retired from racing in 1966. It’s probably the most original unrestored Clark car in existence. A real timewarp.
Then there was the Type 32B car from the 1965 Tasman Series. This car has the distinction of having been built specifically for Jim Clark who was the only person to drive it for Team Lotus. He won 75 percent of the races he entered and, of course, claimed the Tasman title that year.
CTL also brought along Jimmy's first Lotus single-seater racecar. Formula Junior 18/701 was making its first appearance after a two year restoration for the Italian owners the Panini family back to period correct Monaco 1960 spec. The family were on hand to see and drive the car for the first time since it was completed. Clive also took a turn behind the wheel of 701 to see how she ran.
Event-goers also had the opportunity to meet personalities from motorsport. Sir Jackie Stewart was mobbed by adoring fans wherever he went, while Dario Franchitti who was one of the guest speakers at the Saturday evening Gala Dinner held in the Volunteer Hall in Duns (where Jim was granted the freedom of Duns in 1965), took to the driveway of the Castle in 49R2 (the 1967 Dutch GP winner no less!) for one of the many live action demonstrations.
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