From track to tribute: A racer's journey with Jim Clark's legacy in the garage

 

Mark Shaw was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1971. He started racing professionally in the British Formula Three (F3) Championship in the late 1990s. Mark then advanced to the very tough Italian and International F3000 Championships, where he still competes in historic races today.

Mark Shaw, said: “I’d actually started with hill climbs in Scotland, Aberdeen and North, the Hill Climb Circuit in an Escort RS2000. Then I did a lot of single seat racing in the 90s, including F3 and Formula 3000.”

Like many drivers, his journey began with a passion for speed and the thrill of competition through specific details on his childhood influences are not widely publicised. His time in F3000, particularly in 1998 and 1999, served as his most prominent period of top tier open wheel racing.

Historic racing, particularly in the F1 classes is highly competitive featuring multi-million dollar cars driven by a mix of dedicated amateurs, wealthy enthusiasts and former professionals. Shaw’s particular car, the ex-Jim Clark Lotus 21 falls into the earlier era of the 1.5 litre F1 regulations. Competing in this vehicle requires a unique driving style that respects the car’s age, simpler aerodynamics and less forgiving handling, a distinct challenge from modern racing.

His career came full circle with a move into historic racing, a realm where he not only honoured the sport’s past but carved out a legacy of his own through remarkable success.

Shaw said: “I would have to say winning the Monaco Historic Grand Prix and driving around Monaco.”

For instance, he won the 12^th Historic GP of Monaco in 2021 in a Lotus 21, a car once raced by the legendary Jim Clark. More recently, he finished third in the Glover Trophy at the 2024 Goodwood Revival. These victories in historic motorsport are a testament to his enduring skill and passion for racing.

Owning a car raced by Jim Clark, one of the greatest drivers in F1 history is a rare privilege. Shaw’s Lotus 21 is a piece of living history having won races in the hands of the two time F1 World Champion. These historic vehicles are not merely purchases but are acquired through a network of connections and a deep understanding of the provenance of each chassis.

Shaw said: “I was doing some historic racing, Formula Junior, which was the first historic race was about or got hold of and decided then after doing that for a few years I wanted to move up to the Grand Prix. Well, it’s a racing team that had advertised another car for sale, a BRM and spoke to them about that but it wasn’t of interest. By chance they said to me we do have another car coming up that you might be interested in, being Scottish and it’s a Jim Clark Formula One car.”

For Shaw, acquiring such a car is about more than just a transaction, it’s about becoming a custodian of a piece of motorsport legacy. The emotional significance lies in preserving a vehicle that was central to Clark’s storied career and continuing to race it in the spirit of an era.

For Shaw, owning car like the Lotus 21 brings with it a tremendous sense of responsibility and pride. There is the relationship to preserve the car’s originality and maintain its historical integrity. This means ensuring that is restoration as well as maintenance are sympathetic to its original design that any modifications are in line with historic regulations.

As the car must be raced in accordance with its FIA Historic Technical Passport which dictates its eligible racing period, specifications and safety requirements.

Shaw said: “I have guys down in Norfolk look after it. Some of them used to work at Classic Team Lotus, so they know the cars well and they look after it for me. Every time we go on circuit, they have to look after check hours in between races.”

There is also the pride of being part of a select group of individuals who are entrusted with such treasures. The weight of legacy is a constant presence as Shaw is not just a driver but a link in the chain of the car’s history, a steward who allows fans to witness a piece of the past in action.

The upkeep of a historic race car is a challenging and specialised task. Sourcing parts for a car from the 1960s requires a dedicated network and a knowledge of original parts. Shaw and his team rely on specialised mechanical expertise to maintain the car.

Shaw said: “Everything on the car has to be this period of specification. Obviously we can change things for safety but it has to be the same specification as it was originally and the car itself is still the original chassis from 1961.”

This work is not just about making the car run, it’s about preserving it. There is a constant balance between preservation and performance as the car must be fast enough to be competitive is historic races but also reliable enough to prevent damage that could compromise its originality. The goal is to allow the car to be raced in the way it was intended while ensuring its long term survival for future generations of motorsport enthusiasts.