Two-time World Champion Jim Clark raced at Indianapolis five times, winning once and officially finishing 2nd twice, with both of those results mired in controversy that could have made him a three-time winner. In 1965 Clark dominated the race to score the first win for a rear-engined car, but in both 1963 and 1966, many argue, he was denied victory by suspect officiating in the former year, and questionable scoring in the latter.
Nevertheless, the Scot remains a bright star in the big old track’s history, and on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of that 1965 triumph, Clark will be honored at the SVRA’s June 11-14 Brickyard Invitational with a display of the cars he drove at the Speedway. The tribute is expected to include the winning Lotus 38-Ford, the Lotus 29-Ford in which he earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1963 and the Lotus 56 turbine car with which he lapped the Speedway just prior to his fatal accident in a German Formula Two race in 1968.
“We just could not come to IMS on the 50th Anniversary of Jim Clark’s victory and not do justice to this great champion,” said SVRA President Tony Parella.
The SVRA’s connection to Clark holds a special and personal meaning, as Sally Swart, who as Sally Stokes was Clark’s close companion in those days, is the wife of West Coast SVRA executive Ed Swart.
“I have nothing but golden memories of Jimmy,” she says. “His mastery in the car made him a true artist. I am so pleased Tony and the SVRA have chosen to honor Jimmy in this way.”
For further information, please visit www.svra.com
