Video: Jim Clark in the words of those who knew him

Sixty years on from the season in which Clark won the Formula 1 World Championship, the Formula 2 Championship, the Indianapolis 500 and the Tasman Series, we pay tribute to him with those who knew him well.

Sir Jackie Stewart speaks of the way in which Clark’s deft driving style made him the ideal driver for Lotus’ sometimes fragile racing cars. It’s a theme echoed by three Team Lotus mechanics who worked closely with Clark. Dave ‘Beaky’ Sims recounts a story where Clark could feel something wrong with the nearside rear of his car. It took a strip-down and close inspection to discover a wheel bearing that was just starting to wear. No other driver would have noticed.

Derek Wild could tell which gearbox came from Jim Clark’s car as its internals would be entirely unworn after a full race. Bob Dance adds something of Clark’s character, telling how the quiet man would avoid the spotlight. Their recollections are accompanied by some evocative footage from the period, not just from on track but also in the pits and even on Clark’s farm in Scotland.

The tragic events of 7^th April 1968 are also covered. Clark lost his life in a Formula 2 race at Hockenheim, and even after all these years it’s something that’s still raw to those who were close to Clark. ‘Beaky’ Sims delivers a personal, emotional and heartfelt account of his recollections of that day.

The greatest driver of all time? That’s something all the contributors to this documentary agree on.