Clouds over Spa

The 1965 Belgian Formula One Grand Prix was held at the 14 km Spa-Francorchamps circuit and was won by Jim Clark, who led every lap of the race, driving a Lotus 33. It was one of the Scot’s most dominant wins. In the rain, he pulled away and with a third of the race to go, the Lotus driver had built a lead of 1 minute and 20 seconds over Jackie Stewart’s BRM. Smartly, he then eased off dramatically and passed the checkered flag, 45 seconds ahead of Stewart.

Picture above: Richie Ginther qualified his Honda RA272 an excellent fourth, and finished the rain-sodden 1965 Belgian Grand Prix 1965 in sixth position, a lap down on winner Clark. He’s seen here at the La Source Hairpin, under a menacing sky.

Richie Ginther (1930-1989) was an American race car driver who won the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix, taking Honda’s first Formula 1 victory, which also proved to be the American’s only win in F1. Ginther competed in 54 championship Grand Prix and numerous other non-championship F1 events, scoring 107 points, 14 podiums and 3 fastest laps.

Picture below: Graham Hill (BRM), on pole, powers his BRM ahead of the field through Eau Rouge, at the start of the 1965 Belgian Grand Prix. The Brit will finish the race in fifth.