Heritage. Education. Inspiration.
Jim Clark inspired a generation with his courage and skill behind the wheel, and his dignified and humble personality when not racing. Widely regarded as one of the greatest motor racing drivers of all time, he became a national hero and international icon of the 1960’s.
He won the Formula One World Championship in 1963 and 1965 and Indianapolis 500 in the same year, with 25 wins and 33 pole positions from 72 starts. He was a farmer at heart, much admired for his integrity and humility alongside his remarkable ability in all types of motorsport and partnership with Colin Chapman’s Team Lotus.
His death at Hockenheim in Germany in April 1968 aged 32 stunned the world and in terrible circumstances helped redefine Formula 1 with a greater emphasis on safety led by his close friend Sir Jackie Stewart.
With your help The Jim Clark Trust, working in partnership with Scottish Borders Council, is on track to build a new expanded Jim Clark Museum celebrating his life and legacy for 2018.
The race is on...
The plans are well advanced and have been made possible thanks to Scottish Borders Council's commitment of capital funding towards the building design and infrastructure. The Council has pledged £620,000 towards the new £1.6m museum with a further £645,000 support from the Heritage Lottery Fund with Stage 1 Development phase approved and the Stage 2 Delivery build programme pending.
£300,000 is now required to give the green light to the Delivery build phase to redevelop the existing Jim Clark Room in Duns, Scottish Borders, into a modern museum with space to display new memorabilia and two of Jim Clark’s race cars.
The #jimclarkmuseum project is supported by Honorary President Sir Jackie Stewart OBE and Patrons including Dario Franchitti MBE, David Coulthard MBE, Allan McNish, Lord March, Clive Chapman, Ian Scott-Watson, Andrew Cowan and Hugh McCaig.
Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart has asked motor sport enthusiasts across the world to back the charity crowdfunding campaign - which will run for only eight weeks with all pledges having to be submitted by April 21, 2017 to secure the full £300,000 target.
Sir Jackie Stewart said: “Jim Clark was not only the best racing driver I ever raced with and against. He was also a great friend, a wonderful ambassador for motor sport and indeed for Scotland. It is only right that we honour his success and achievements.
"I am delighted the museum project has reached this crucial stage with the support of the Trust and I would like to thank Scottish Borders Council and Heritage Lottery Funding. The foundations of this project are Heritage, Education and Inspiration bought to life through the story of Jimmy’s incredible career and significant influence on Scottish motor sport. If those values ring true to people around the world, I hope enthusiasts will join me in wishing the fundraising campaign every success.”
The goal of the new museum is to inspire the next generation and generations to come, with a modern and vibrant celebration of Jim Clark’s incredible career and impact on motorsport around the world with trophies, pictures, film footage and some of the cars in which he raced.
Doug Niven, cousin of Jim Clark and a Family Trustee said: “This is a hugely significant milestone for the project which has been under starter’s orders since 2013. Our attention must now turn to the challenge of fundraising and expanding the museum collection. We welcome the support of the general public and motor sport fans, without whom, this project will not be possible. To this day Jim is remembered with great affection around the world. The plans have received national and international interest from US, Europe and Australia. We have a rare opportunity now to create something very special in Duns, a museum that features the cars in which he raced, attracting thousands of visitors from far and wide.”
Enhanced Exhibition and Displays
The current Jim Clark Room opened in 1969 with a unique collection of trophies and memorabilia donated by Jim’s parents James and Helen. The Trust remains under the guidance of the Clark family.
Exhibiting cars in which Jim Clark raced will be the highlight of the new museum with the existing trophy collection at its heart.
Plans for the new museum include expanding the current collection, image galleries, film footage, interactive displays and a technology and education zone. Exhibiting the cars in which he raced will be the star attraction for the new museum and a celebration of Scottish motor sport.
The Trust and Museum welcomes all donations of memorabilia either gifted or on loan to capture the historical inspiration of Jim Clark for future generations and create a truly unique and memorable experience.
Community benefits
The museum is expected to generate significant economic and tourism benefits to the Scottish Borders and local Duns community, attracting thousands more visitors each year.
Aspirations for the project include a classic car restoration programme, support for technology skills apprenticeships and a Jim Clark driving tourist trail through the scenic countryside of the Scottish Borders including historic venues such as the old race circuit at Charterhall, local market towns and Jim Clark’s grave at Chirnside Church.
The Trust and Museum welcomes comments and ideas from the local community and regularly attends open meetings. They welcome anyone with an informed interest in the life of Jim Clark and the history of motorsport to help support plans for the new museum.
To the finish line
With so much ofthe hard work done already by the many people who have donated time and money to get this amazing project to this stage, we are now in the home straight.
We hope the global motorsport community will now come together over the next few weeks and back this final push by making pledges to ensure the project takes the chequered flag.
Dario Franchitti, Patron of the Trust said: “Jim Clark is arguably the greatest racing driver the world has ever seen, he is a hero to many, myself included. Thanks to the Trust, Scottish Borders Council and Heritage Lottery Fund big steps have been made in making the new museum a reality but this is now at a crucial stage. The museum needs the support of motorsport fans and the general public if this fitting tribute to Jim is to become a reality.”
Follow the progress of the the project and plans at http://jimclarktrust.com/