Sir Jackie Stewart to officially open Jim Clark Motorsport Museum
Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart OBE will officially open the new Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Duns on Thursday 29 August.
Guests have been invited from the world of motorsport where the unveiling of a plaque will take place to celebrate the occasion.
The museum honours and charts the life and racing career of the Scottish Borders farmer and dual Formula One World Champion Jim Clark. Sir Jackie has always maintained that Jim Clark was the finest racing driver he ever competed against and a close personal friend.
More details of the special opening event will be released in the coming weeks, with plans being developed for a static display of Jim Clark and Lotus sports cars and an opportunity for the public to hear Sir Jackie talk about his friendship and racing career with Jim.
The event will start at 12:00 and to facilitate the official opening the museum will be closed to the public until 15:00, but will then be open into the evening.
The new Jim Clark Motorsport Museum has seen a major £1.6m redevelopment over the past 15 months following a five year fundraising campaign.
The original Jim Clark Memorial Room opened in 1969 and was refurbished in 1993 for the 25th anniversary of Jim’s death in 1968, also with Sir Jackie’s support. Now, 50 years on from the initial opening, the significantly expanded and exciting new museum aims to attract thousands of visitors to Duns. It has already welcomed over 2,000 visitors since opening to the public in mid-July.
For the first time, the museum includes two of Jim Clark’s iconic race cars, a Lotus 25 and Lotus Cortina.
At the heart of the new museum remains the original collection of over 100 trophies from Jim Clark’s incredible career, gifted by his parents James and Helen Clark in 1969, with new interactive interpretation displays.
Doug Niven, cousin of Jim Clark and Jim Clark Trustee said:
“We are delighted that Sir Jackie, Honorary President of The Jim Clark Trust, is able to come to Duns to officially open the new museum. He has given the museum and this project great support and encouragement over many years, for which we are very grateful.
“Given Sir Jackie’s close personal relationship with Jim during their racing careers there’s no doubt that this will be a memorable and moving occasion for all those involved. Jim and Jackie have together helped inspire a generation of success for Scottish motorsport and we hope the new museum can inspire future generations for many years to come.”
Andrew Tulloch, Live Borders’ Assistant Curator – Jim Clark Motorsport Museum said:
“The feedback we’ve had from visitors to the new Jim Clark Motorsport Museum has been incredible and we look forward to welcoming Sir Jackie back again to see the new museum for the first time and see for himself the fantastic visitor experience this new facility offers.”
More information
The official opening date of Thursday 29 August has now also been announced by The Jim Clark Trust as the closing date for the Jim Clark Lotus Evora charity competition. The 100,000th Lotus ever built, signed by all 20 current Formula One drivers at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix is available to win for £20 helping to raise funds for the Trust and new museum.
Follow the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum on social media #JimClarkMotorsportMuseum @liveborders @JimClarkTrust @scotborders
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