Monoposto

Nº 8

Jim Clark

1963, 1965 World Champion

Team Lotus

Overview

James Clark, born in Kilmany, Fife, on 4 March 1936, won the World Drivers' Championship with Lotus in 1963 and 1965.1 When he died he held the records for wins, poles and fastest laps.1

He was killed on 7 April 1968 at Hockenheim, in a Formula Two race. The cause was never definitively identified, though a deflating rear tyre was thought most likely.1

1963

Seven wins, 25 points clear of Graham Hill

Only a driver's best results counted in 1963. He scored 73 points in all, and 54 counted.

Seven of ten

In the Lotus 25 he won seven of the ten races.1

Every Grand Prix finish, 1963

Numeral size follows the result. Round 1 at left.

1965

Six wins, 14 points clear of Graham Hill

Indianapolis too

In the Lotus 33 he won six races, and also won the Indianapolis 500, missing Monaco to do it.13

Every Grand Prix finish, 1965

Numeral size follows the result. Round 1 at left.

Image plates

5 photographs, in season order

Helmet

He raced an Everoak until May 1963, when he moved to a Bell Magnum at Indianapolis. Its white peak clipped on with four big studs, and the Everoak's peak had blown loose at Spa the year before.6 The Magnum came in plain silver, so he asked Bell for one in dark blue.6

A drawing of his 1963 design.

Auge=mit · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Background removed

Two title cars

Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus, spotted him in sports cars and gave him his start.1 Both titles came in Chapman's cars.1

In the Lotus at the 1965 Dutch Grand Prix.

Eric Koch for Anefo · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
1963
Lotus 25
1965
Lotus 33

Road to the title

  1. 1960Formula One debut at the Dutch Grand Prix.1
  2. 1962First win, at the Belgian Grand Prix.1
  3. 1964British Saloon Car champion.1
  4. 1965Won the Indianapolis 500 and the title.1

Records

  • Most wins, poles and fastest laps at the time of his death1
  • Tasman Series champion in 1965, 1967 and 19681

Sources