In keeping with tradition, the Bosch Hockenheim Historic also focused on the racing driver in whose honour the event is held every year: Jim Clark. On 7 April 2018, it marked 50 years since the accidental death of the two-time Formula 1 World Champion at the Hockenheimring. The appreciation of the lovable driving genius Clark was a common theme over the course of the three days. To pay tribute to him on the anniversary of his death, companions and witnesses from his time were invited, among them two close relatives from Scotland and Clive Chapman, son of the Lotus founder – and Clark’s manager – Colin Chapman. With these guests in attendance, the laying of the wreath at the Jim Clark Memorial was extremely touching. “We brought mixed feelings with us on our first trip to Hockenheim”, said Clark’s cousin Doug Niven. “We are very impressed to see how Jimmy’s memory is being kept alive here.” To close things off, the guests from Scotland were presented with a cheque for 5,000 euros from Hockenheim-Ring GmbH and the Badischer Motorsport Club to support the construction of a new Jim Clark Museum in his home country. On Sunday afternoon the spectators rose from their seats to observe a moment of silence – as they did 50 years ago.
