Motorsport hero Clark remembered

Jim Clark was killed in a crash at Hockenheim 40 year ago

Tributes have been paid to racing star Jim Clark on the 40th anniversary of his death on a German track.

Born in Fife, but raised in Duns in the Borders, Clark was crowned Formula One world champion in 1963 and 1965 and won a total of 25 grand prix races.

He was killed in a crash at the Hockenheim circuit in Germany on 7 April 1968, aged just 32.

Sir Jackie Stewart described him as the first driver he identified who had "a skill in excess of everyone else".

Born in Kilmany, Fife, on 4 March 1936, Clark was educated at Loretto School, Edinburgh.

He left at 16 and went to work on the family sheep farm in the Borders.

I can remember my mother going to Duns the morning after, there wasn't a soul in the town, the streets were empty Andrew Cowan Former driver and neighbour

He joined the Lotus grand prix team where he won two world championships and was also given an OBE for his services to motor racing in 1964.

His death in 1968 shocked both the racing world and his home town.

"I was absolutely devastated and I think everybody in the Borders felt the same," recalled former rally driver and neighbour Andrew Cowan.

"I can remember my mother going to Duns the morning after, there wasn't a soul in the town, the streets were empty.

"It was incredibly sad."

JIM CLARK RACING HONOURS 72 grand prix starts 25 grand prix victories 2 world championships 1 Indianapolis 500 1 British touring car championship

It is a testament to his long-lasting popularity that the local museum remains popular to this day.

The Jim Clark room in Duns still attracts thousands of visitors each year.

"It is quite exceptional," said curator Andrew Tulloch.

"I think part of it is down to his driving talent and part of it is down to his character as a person.

"It is very hard to find a bad word that was ever said about him."

Sir Jackie Stewart said that the Borders driver had a style which marked him out from the "fast and furious" approach of the day.

"Jim Clark never really drove in a manner that was resembling the fast and furious style," he said.

"It was really a finesse that I was later able to develop for myself.

"It was Jimmy who highlighted it to me and showed me that that clearly was the way to go."

'Good company'

Later this year a new memorial will be unveiled at Hockenheim to the racing star.

It was designed by close friend Ian Scott-Watson who revived the Border Reivers racing team where Clark enjoyed his first successes.

"I still like to think of him as he was in his early days as an amateur driver," said Mr Scott-Watson.

"There was something about him, all along he was still the same Jimmy to me.

"He was good fun, good company and I think that aspect of him is the thing that will always remain in my mind."