Motor sport – Cleland plea to make Clark museum happen

John Cleland, a double British Touring Car champion, has backed the bid to build a new museum dedicated to Formula One legend Jim Clark.

The Borders-based former BTCC racer has pledged £500 towards the #jimclarkmuseum project on crowdfunder.co.uk, and called on motorsport fans to join him by making pledges before the April 21 deadline.

He said: “Having been a lifelong Jim Clark fan and admirer of his talents behind the wheel this is a great opportunity for me to financially support such a wonderful cause.

“When this building is complete we will have a permanent memory of Jim along with some of his memorabilia, trophies and cars to remind us all what a talent and inspirational great he really was.

“However, without everyone’s financial support and generosity this may not happen, so let’s all get behind it.”

Jim Clark won the BTCC crown in 1964 and the drive to secure funding for a new, expanded museum to celebrate the life and legacy of the motorsport star has already received over 300 pledges from across the world with more than £52,000 committed by supporters so far.

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The campaign also has the backing of motorsport VIPs like Sir Jackie Stewart, Allan McNish, David Coulthard and Dario Franchitti.

The Jim Clark Trust is working in partnership with Scottish Borders Council on the museum project.

However, £300,000 in public support is now required to ensure the project can move into the build phase.

Doug Niven, a cousin of Jim Clark and a Family Trustee, said: “For the project to have the support of a champion like John Cleland is a huge boost, and we hope it will inspire other motorsport stars to pledge.

“The Trust’s aim is to ensure the new museum highlights Jim’s achievements in a way that educates and inspires the next generation of top class racing drivers, and also attracts motorsport enthusiasts from around the world to visit the area that made him the man he was.”