The next day, on 7 April 1968, the first race for the Europa Trophy got underway at the Hockenheimring. In the fifth round, time suddenly stands still. The track marshals wave white flags as a warning to the drivers, and the sirens of the ambulance are turned on. On the stands, scared faces. In the wood next to the long straight lies a racing car, in pieces and torn to shreds. The drivers finish the race; it isn’t normal to stop a race because of an accident.

Then the flags at the Hockenheimring are lowered to half mast. Over the loudspeaker, the announcer asks the spectators to rise from their seats. “The Formula 2 race has been overshadowed by a tragic event,” bellows the speaker over the Motodrom. “Jim Clark, the two-time world champion and 25-time Grand Prix winner, has died.” For two minutes, complete silence falls over the Hockenheimring. The rest is history.

Author: Jürg Mallepell