The new Jim Clark Museum

Double British Touring Car champion John Cleland has backed the bid to build a new museum dedicated to fellow BTCC title winner and Formula One legend Jim Clark.

The Borders-based former BTCC racer has pledged £500 towards the  #jimclarkmuseum project on Crowdfunder.co.uk, and called on motorsport fans to join him by making pledges before the April 21 deadline.

“Having been a lifelong Jim Clark fan and admirer of his talents behind the wheel this is a great opportunity for me to financially support such a wonderful cause,” explained John.

“When this building is complete we will have a permanent memory of Jim along with some of his memorabilia, trophies and cars to remind us all what a talent and inspirational great he really was.

“However, without everyone’s financial support and generosity this may not happen, so let’s all get behind it.”

Jim Clark won the BTCC crown in 1964, and the drive to secure funding for a new, expanded museum to celebrate the life and legacy of the motorsport star has already received over 300 pledges from across the world, with more than £52,000 committed by supporters so far. The campaign also has the backing of motorsport luminaries such as Sir Jackie Stewart, Allan McNish, David Coulthard and Dario Franchitti.

The Jim Clark Trust is working in partnership with Scottish Borders Council on the new museum project, which has planning approval and a commitment from the Council of £620,000 towards the new £1.6m facility. A further £645,000 of support from the Heritage Lottery Fund has also been pledged.

However, £300,000 in public support is now required to ensure the project can move into the build phase and redevelop the existing site into a modern museum with space to display new memorabilia and two of Jim Clark’s race cars.

All pledges have to be submitted and the target met by April 21, 2017 in order for the project to get the green light.

Doug Niven, cousin of Jim Clark and a Family Trustee said: “For the project to have the support of a champion like John Cleland is a huge boost, and we hope it will inspire other motorsport stars to pledge. The Trust’s aim is to ensure the new museum highlights Jim’s achievements in a way that educates and inspires the next generation of top class racing drivers, and also attracts motorsport enthusiasts from around the world to visit the area that made him the man he was.”