Jim Clark Motorsport Museum wins first award

The winners of the inaugural Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards were announced on 21 November at a gala evening at the Pall Mall clubhouse, hosted by TV Formula 1 and sports presenter Lee McKenzie. Launched earlier this year, the Awards celebrate the diversity and people involved in the British historic motoring and motorsport scene, continuing the Club’s rich pedigree in celebrating motoring accomplishments, which dates back more than 120 years.

Strong nominations from across the UK were assessed by specialist panels of expert judges for each of the seven categories. In addition, the Club presented the Royal Automobile Club Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of an individual who has, in the opinion of the Club, made an outstanding contribution to the British historic motoring movement across many years.

The Jim Clark Motorsport Museum, which opened in June this year, was the winner of the Collection category (supported by Total), the judges commenting that: “The museum conveys a sense of place like few others, linking the stories of Jim Clark and the nearby towns, and encouraging visitors to explore those links through a trail that takes in his farm and grave, amongst others. It has done an extraordinary job in attracting over 1,000 visitors a month to Duns, which is not on the normal tourist trail and requires a committed journey to reach.”

Shona Sinclair, Curator for the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum, said: “What a start to our first season – 12,100 visitors, our first award nomination and our first award win. At Live Borders we all feel very proud to be part of the team that has delivered and operates this brilliant museum.

“A huge thanks to all those that have supported us to-date, including our project partners Scottish Borders Council and The Jim Clark Trust, and the Royal Automobile Club Historic Award judges who understood what we wanted to achieve in this museum.

“While we will be closed to general visitor over the winter, reopening on 1 March, we will open for pre-booked groups and special events. Please get in touch for details.”

Doug Niven, from The Jim Clark Trust, said: “What an amazing night! It was an honour to stand on the stage with the team from The Jim Clark Trust, Live Borders and Scottish Borders Council to collect our first award for the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum.

“It was brilliant to be in a room with so many inspiring people and organisations from the world of motoring and to collect an award which recognises not only everyone’s hard work, but the memory of Jim. Thank you to everyone and we look forward to more positive steps forward and partnership working in the years ahead.”

Councillor Euan Jardine, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Sport, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for all involved in developing the new Jim Clark Motorsport Museum and is testament to the hard work that so many people have put in over many years.

“The number of visitors attracted since the opening this summer has been exceptional, and the feedback has been extremely positive too.”