PLANS are in place to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of a legendary racing driver.

Double Formula 1 world champion Jim Clark died on April 7, 1968, aged 32, after a crash during a race at Hockenheim, Germany.

A former pupil at Loretto School in Musselburgh, he was world champion in 1963 and 1965 while also winning the world-famous Indianapolis 500 in the latter year.

He won 25 Formula 1 Grands Prix from 77 starts – 33 from pole position Clark also had wins in the British and European Touring Car Championships, British and European Formula Two Championships and a hat-trick of Tasman Series Cup victories in 1965, 1967 and 1968.

A chapel service takes place at Loretto on April 22, with pupils past and present – particularly those who went to school with Clark – his family, and invited guests.

Jonathan Hewat, the school’s director of communications, said: “Ideas are gathering pace and it promises to be a spectacular and fitting tribute to Jim.”

A performance based on Clark’s life and achievements will be laid on later the same day by pupils in the theatre.

Mr Hewat added: “We feel it is important that the present generation of Loretto pupils are made aware of the great esteem in which one of their predecessors was and is held, not only for his undoubted successes on the track but for his character and humility.

“To many people, Jim Clark remains the best driver in the history of motorsport.”

Plans for more events are in the pipeline, with details to be confirmed “in due course”.