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Jim Clark was regarded
by many as one of the safest drivers in the
sport. |
1968: Jim Clark killed in car
smash |
England have
Motor racing world champion Jim Clark has been killed in a car crash
during a Formula Two race at Hockenheim.
Clark, 32, was at the wheel of his Lotus-Cosworth which left the track
at 170mph (274km/h), somersaulted through the air and
collided with a tree on a remote part of the German track.
The twice Formula One champion, who sustained a broken neck and a
fractured skull, was dead before he reached hospital.
The cause of the accident is not yet known although experts have
suggested it could have been a fault in the steering mechanism or
rear-axle suspension.
Although it had been raining prior to the race, this is not thought to
have caused Clark's car to skid.
The car seemed to be in a thousand pieces
Eye-witness
The
80,000 spectators, who were informed of the accident via loudspeaker some
two hours later, were stunned by the news.
They spontaneously rose to their feet in silent tribute.
The only witness to the accident was a track marshal who said: "I was
horror-struck. Everything happened so fast. The car skidded off to the
left and seemed to dive through the fence only 10 yards (9.14m) from me.
"It went skidding and somersaulting across the grass and hit a tree
with a tremendous thump.
"The car seemed to be in a thousand pieces."
'Hell of a gap'
The 32-year-old farmer from Scotland, who was not married, had been
involved in several spectacular accidents during his 15-year career but
had never suffered serious injury.
Tributes poured in from around the world as the news of Jim Clark's
death was spread.
Fellow racing driver Graham Hill, who was in the same race, said Jim
Clark's death "leaves a hell of a gap in the racing scene."
He added: "For me as well as for thousands of others, it means the loss
of a friend."
Jackie Stewart, also a racing driver, said: "Jimmy's death is probably
the most tragic thing in my experience of motor-racing - probably in the
history of motor-racing.
"Jimmy was not only a famous driver, he was an international
personality, loved by all his fiercest rivals."
Clark's body is due to be flown back to Scotland later today. His
funeral is expected to take place Wednesday in Chirnside, near his home.