April 7, 1968 - GP Legend dies

[Felix/FFDS]

From the Historychannel.com site:

1968 Grand Prix legend dies

Jim Clark, one of the greatest grand prix racers of all time, died in a tragic accident during a Formula 2 race in Hockenheim, Germany. Clark, widely regarded as the most naturally gifted F1 racer of all time, competed his entire career on behalf of Colin Chapman's Team Lotus. He won two World Championships, in 1963 and in 1965. Clark's 1965 season is undoubtedly the sport's greatest individual achievement. Clark led every lap of every race he finished, and he won the Indy 500. Known for his soft-spoken manor, Clark was known for his ability to win on all types of courses, including those that he personally detested. He won four straight Belgian GPs at his least favorite course, the arduous Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Clark died in a meaningless race at Hockenheim, when his car mysteriously left the track and collided with a tree. His death shocked the racing world. Chris Amon, then with Ferrari described his own feelings about the accident, "If it could happen to him what chance did the rest of us have? I think we all felt that. It seemed like we'd lost our leader."

[ozzy72]

I'd agree with the statement about possibly the greatest driver.... a true master and apparently a v.nice chap. He didn't do at all badly for a farmer from Scotland

[Craig.]

a great legend. Its a shame that all us younger folk have to watch him is videos, but thats better than nothing.

[VVM]

[Felix/FFDS]

I still remember the disbelief.  1968 was a bad year.  I believe that Pedro Rodriguez also died that year?

[ozzy72]

Pedro died in July '71 in Germany

[C]

What I find more saddening is that the tree with the plaque commemorating the death of Jim Clark is in the middle of a forest, as all trace of the former Hockenheimring has been destroyed and replanted, leaving us with yet another "clone" GP circuit...

A legend indeed... What chance seeing Fernando Alonso in a GP2 race this year?