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This weekend marks the 2024 Beatson's Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally in Duns (24th - 26th May). Jim Clark was from a farm just outside Chirnside, spent much of his youth in Duns, and is still thought of as one of Motorsports greatest drivers. His victory average of 34.25% is the highest of any driver.
The small town of Duns just so happens to be where ScotlandShop HQ is based! There's also a redeveloped Jim Clark museum in the town displaying a vast array of memorabilia from Jim's extraordinary career in motorsport.
Celebrating the life of Jim Clark
Jim Clark
A racing legend, born on 4th March, 1936 in Fife, James Clark Junior moved with his parents and sisters to a farm outside Chirnside at age 6 and spent much of his youth in Duns and the Borders. He learnt to drive a tractor when he was ten, for which he was paid. Any chance he could get, he would get behind the wheel.
Later in life, he won the Formula One Championship twice, in 1963 and 1965; including a total of 25 Grand Prix races; and won the Indy (Indianapolis) 500 in 1965. So all that time behind the wheel paid off!
Tragically, he died during a Formula 2 race when he came off the course and hit a tree at high speed. He was only 32, and considered a safe and sensible driver. His death shook the world and sparked an increase in safety measures for these high profile races. Sir Jackie Stewart, Jim's close friend, was at the forefront of this.
Sir Jackie is also the Jim Clark Trust's Honorary President, helping to keep the memory of Jim alive through the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Duns.
Jim Clark Rally 2024
Duns comes alive during the Jim Clark Rally and is the place to be for all motorsport enthusiasts! Fans flock from all over the world to witness this annual spectacle, famous in the Scottish Borders, and worldwide.
Sponsored by Beatson's Building Supplies for the third year running, the Jim Clark Rally is part of the British Rally Championship, Scottish Rally Championship and National Asphalt Championship. It began in 1970 and was named after Jim Clark, a hero in many people's eyes.
The square in Duns town centre will be buzzing with cars and spectators for a Ceremonial start on Friday 24th May. Last rally will finish on Sunday 26th May around 4pm.
There will be a big screen for people to watch the different stages of the rally, which is free for the public. There are lots of places around the town centre to grab food and drinks, so why not make a day (or weekend) of it!
Please note, there will be some road closures in place, for more information head to the rally's website here.
Jim Clark Motorsport Museum
Just outside the centre of Duns, on one of the main routes in and out of the town, is the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum.
For current opening hours, click here, the museum is a must for Jim Clark and motorsport fans. It celebrates his life and houses a vast collection of memorabilia, trophies, film and photography. There are three cars on display: a Jaguar D-Type Jim competed in during 1958, a Lotus Cortina he drove in 1965, and new for this year, a 1966 Lotus 38/7 he used in Japan and at 1967's Indy 500.
The museum also has a Café Bistro, Shop and the new Jim Clark Trail. The Trail is a driving tour of about 50 miles that snakes through the Scottish Borders, taking in the roads and countryside where Jim learnt to drive.
Why not join us in Duns to celebrate the life of Jim Clark, his magnificent racing career and his Scottish roots? You can even go a step further and choose the Clark Tartan for your car upholstery project or Jim's family tartan, the Cameron of Erracht Ancient! Here at ScotlandShop we have helped many customers choose the perfect tartan for their car so if you need any help please ask.
Image Sources:
Lotus Formula 1 car, Jim Clark Museum Duns - cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jim Barton - geograph.org.uk/p/6231053
The grave of Racing Drive Jim Clark by Kevin Rae, CC BY-SA 2.0
Jim Clark at the 1967 USGP in Watkins Glen, NY by Rtsanderson - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
