Jim Clark (Esso)

Jim Clark (1936 – 1968) was a farmer’s son from the Scottish Borders, who went on to compete in Formula One from 1960 to 1968. Clark won two Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles, in 1963 and 1965 with Lotus and, at the time of his death, held the record for the most wins, fastest laps and pole positions. He was a charismatic and modest man, known for saying “Farming is really my occupation, and racing just a hobby, although I made a serious effort at it.” He was one of the most famous celebrity sports stars of his era, and in 1965 appeared on the cover of Times Magazine. His team, Lotus, was sponsored by the Esso Petroleum Company, an advert for which this photograph comes from. Alongside the photograph we have a collectable metal model ‘The Winners Limited Edition, Jim Clark’s 1965 Touring Car Lotus Cortina KPU 396C’. Both the photograph and car model belong to the Papple Collection, whose owner is too, the son of a farmer. The object brings together the themes of racing, farming and family, present throughout the exhibition.