Remembering Jim Clark

and the 1967 F1 USGP at Watkins Glen.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Jim
• Clark
• F1
• USGP
• Watkins
• Glen
• 1967

[jvmed2]

I was there and 14 years old. I was outside the Kendall Tech building on Saturday., They had rolled both Lotuses out to tune. The exhausts were backed up to a wire fence and I stood between the exhausts as the mechanics fiddled with the Lucas injectors. Adults jammed their fingers in their ears while I stood in amazement at Chapman speaking to Clark, Hill and a man I would learn was Keith Duckworth. Clark was the best ever, Schumacher couldn't carry his lunch pail. Thanks for the memories!

[rickbraverman]

Funny what you say about Schumacher. While any comparison between drivers from one era to another is always arguable, back in that era YOU could have carried Clark's lunch pail... or jacket... or helmet. As in: "Hey lad, give us a hand. Carry this for me, please?" F1 fans of today simply have no idea how accessible it all was... --RB

[vashlin]

Sadly,I never got to see Clark race at the Glen. I attended my first GP there the following year with my family. I became a lifelong Fl fan. And I know what you mean by moxie. My husband (then boyfriend) and I took many a picture from the pits at the Glen during practice for Glen GPs of the early 70s. Those WERE the days!

[rickbraverman]

They were indeed! Hey, why not assemble those photos into a montage and post 'em on YouTube? I have a bunch from that era that I intend to edit into a future "slideshow." The proximity a fan had to the cars and drivers is beyond words. Hence, the photographs... --RB

[merlyn6061]

I was there. Teenage moxie for sure. I was 19 and we drove over the snow fencing and onto the track on Friday at dusk in a 67 Chevelle SS. Got up to about 130 on track. Turned around, went back, and disappeared into the infield. We got to walk through the garage around midnight before the race. I tapped John Surtees on the helmet when he went out to practice on Sat; he gave a thumbs up and revved the Honda (I think the sky cracked open then). That was pre-bog but the loop chute was wild.

[JasonRadley]

That's what I call prophetic commentary.

[roadamerica30]

bravo. and i'm 30 yrs. younger. top five in my book easy. maybe top three.

[BillDFC]

Scotland gave some of the greatest people to the rest of the world,Jimmy Clark was one of them.

[swimwin]

Agreed about the unbelievable accessibility of those days. In 1961, a two-day pass to the USGP at Watkins Glen cost $4.50. I watched much of the race from up in a tree that was just outside the chicane -- maybe 25 feet from the track edge.

In 1963 (I think) I somehow wandered unto the starting grid during a pause, and chatted with the BRM mechanics.

[jonnyspa27]

Wonderful to watch the old Speedweek clips! Thanks for the commentary as well, great insight into a wonderful era of motorsport. Cheers!

[Obergalla]

Danke für alles,Jim! Ruhe in Gott!

[timickan]

even Fangio said he was the best ever!

[cass2112]

not to mention no fancy gear for the drivers protection,no assists in the cockpit,it was raw and down to the skill of the driver,jim clark...legend!

[vidpop]

Thanks for the upload , broken suspension...no problem for Jim.