Jim Clark at Monza 1967

Am I right in saying that at the Italian GP, Jim Clark went 1 lap down early in the race, got the lap back, re-passed everyone to take the lead before running out of fuel? Is that not extremely impressive? That must be the only time it's happened in GP history. I certainly can't see even Schumacher doing that! -- Rob Swindells Goldline Bearings FFord Championship: http://swindells.8m.com ...James Hunt - 'Our Nige' - Damon Hill - Oh Please, please...

Its a true story. Just shows you the difference in car performance. And still some idiots will say that F1 was more exciting in the 60's than in the 90's. If Clark's Lotus didn't break down, he won every race. The same goes for Fangio in the 50's.

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> > Am I right in saying that at the Italian GP, Jim Clark went 1 lap down > > early in the race, got the lap back, re-passed everyone to take the lead > > before running out of fuel? Is that not extremely impressive? That must > > be the only time it's happened in GP history. I certainly can't see even > > Schumacher doing that! > Its a true story. Just shows you the difference in car performance. And > still some idiots will say that F1 was more exciting in the 60's than in the > 90's. If Clark's Lotus didn't break down, he won every race. The same goes > for Fangio in the 50's.

It's not simply a matter of the car, that was one of Clark's most impressive drives as I understand. As for Fangio, he was well known for chosing the right car at the right time, but we're still talking about a legendary talent that was capable of getting more out of the car than the average driver.

Maybe Clark was just fantastically gifted? Many say he's the greatest driver ever. > Its a true story. Just shows you the difference in car performance. And > still some idiots will say that F1 was more exciting in the 60's than in the > 90's. If Clark's Lotus didn't break down, he won every race. The same goes > for Fangio in the 50's. -- Rob Swindells Goldline Bearings FFord Championship: http://swindells.8m.com ...James Hunt - 'Our Nige' - Damon Hill - Oh Please, please...

Hello, again, Rob. I forgot to mention that I saw Gilles Villenueve put on an incredible display of talent at the Glen in around 1979. It was raining during practice. The forecast was for rain to continue throughout the weekend, so nearly everyone was trying to maximize the wet setup. At the time, a good dry qualifying time was 1:40. I was watching from near the top of the esses. Near the end of the session, the only driver who seemed to have a handle was Jody Scheckter, running laps around 2:02. Villenueve came out and flew past the first time by. There was water flowing across the track. The esses were especially difficult because of the chicane that had been installed after Francois Cevert's death. The other drivers were going through pretty slowly. Villenueve came by MUCH faster than anyone else. The car was oversteering at about a 5 degree angle to the right, then just at the right instant it just switched to the left, oversteering around 5 degrees exiting the chicane. Then, over the hill, oversteering to the right. The announcer hesitated because he thought it was a mistake. 1:50. My description doesn't do it justice. Gilles was flying where the others were tip-toeing. Others went off going much slower. I know this driving style eventually killed him, but it was an awesome display of skill. I wish I could have seen Jim Clark drive in person. Regards, Ed.

I have (at Zandvoort) and I must disappoint you: it was not a spectacular display. Very smooth, very much in control, it didn't look fast - from what I remember. Bye, Leo

> > I wish I could have seen Jim Clark drive in person. > I have (at Zandvoort) and I must disappoint you: it was not a spectacular > display. Very smooth, very much in control, it didn't look fast - from what > I remember. You've just described Clark's style to a T - "very smooth, very much in control". Clark was also legendary for being easy on the car, thanks to this style. He was the antithesis of Gilles Villeneuve. GV was definitely fast, but was extremely *** his cars. GV sure was fun to watch, though. Dave Ewing -- ***************************************************** David A. Ewing *****************************************************

I believe that a Goodyear tire technician of that time commented that Clarks tires always showed the same amount of wear front and back; unusual in his day . The only film i have ever seen of his driving were his Indianapolis adventures but he was certainly smooth there. David

>> I wish I could have seen Jim Clark drive in person. >I have (at Zandvoort) and I must disappoint you: it was not a spectacular >display. Very smooth, very much in control, it didn't look fast - from what >I remember. I can't imagine a MORE spectacular display than what you've just described. Trips D. Bell on VROC

I was at the 90 that day and recorded those laps on audio tape. I almost wore the tape out playing it over and over. Still have it somewhere. chris r > Hello, again, Rob. I forgot to mention that I saw Gilles Villenueve put on an > incredible display of talent at the Glen in around 1979. It was raining during > practice. <snip>

At Spa in 1960, when Stirling Moss had his back-breaking crash at Burnenville, the Lotus team checked the rear axles (?) on its cars. Moss's had snapped completely. Another car's was*** by a thread, whilst Clark's was totally undamaged. Says something for a clean style a guess :-) -- Cheers! Graeme Nash

On Fri, 19 Nov 1999 20:35:24 +0000, robswindells >Maybe Clark was just fantastically gifted? Many say he's the greatest driver >ever. He was. I saw him. Incredible ... Simply Incredible. Never seen anybody *** NEARLY *** as good before or since, and that includes Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Gilles Villenueve, etc. ... You wouldn't have believed it ... Even Foyt said he was the best he had ever seen ... And that's the highest compliment in the world you can get from ol' A.J. ... Allan