A NEW book aims to help raise extra funds for the Jim Clark Museum (see page 65 for more details).

Legendary motoring writer, Eric Dymock’s book, called simply 'Jim Clark', is an updated version of a former work, ‘Jim Clark, Racing Legend’.

But this latest version comes with an introduction from patrons of the Jim Clark Trust – Jackie Stewart, David Coulthard, Alan McNish and Dario Franchitti – and a donation will be made from each copy sold toward the trust fund for the museum.

The book describes the young Clark’s boyhood days on the farm and an early fascination for machinery and speed. And, despite his later elevation to ‘sporting legend’, off the track he was still the keen young farmer from Duns, in the Borders.

The book is an evocative look back at the why’s wherefore’s and background to a man who remains a hero for many, including Eric Dymock himself.

It chronicles his interest in all things mechanical on the home farm at Edington Mains, through to the heady days of two world championships.

But shining through the meticulous Mr Dymock’s prose is the thought that Jim Clark remained a farmer who drove Formula One cars on the world stage, rather than a Formula One driver who might just be a farmer.

He began full-time work on the farm when the shepherd left their hill farm and ‘Jim’s dad gave him a dog and stick’ and told him to take over,’ writes Dymock.

By all accounts he was as keen on his stock as he was in his motoring career and maintained an active interest in what tups were being used in the flock and he attended Kelso Ram Sales on several occasions to purchase tups.

This is a very special book with a special end-game in mind – to help raise funds for the building of the Jim Clark Museum in Duns. A contribution from the £22.50 cover price from every book sold will go to the trust.

n To get a copy of the 176-page book packed with illustrations, go through Amazon or contact the publishers, through www.dovepublishing.co.uk