We’re sure that open-wheel hero Dario Franchitti has managed to realize quite a few of his four-wheeled dreams over the years, but he’s only just managed to top them all with a drive of Jim Clark’s legendary Lotus 38, a car that Clark piloted to victory in the 1965 Indy 500.

Franchitti, like Clark, was born in Scotland and the two share a love of going fast. Jim Clark’s Lotus 38, with its four-cam V8 pumping out around 500 horsepower, is a very different vehicle then the modern day IndyCar that Franchitti pilots for Chip Ganassi Racing. Regardless, the Lotus is a pure racing machine and a true piece of motorsports history, and it’s a treat to listen to Dario discuss his experience behind the wheel of the Lotus. His insight is important but his excitement is palpable – this is a rare opportunity and he appears to treat the opportunity with the appropriate level of respect and admiration for Clark and Lotus.

How’d this all come to pass? Dario Franchitti, working together with Road & Track, reached out to The Henry Ford Museum, Lotus Cars USA and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to make this event happen. It’s all captured on the video after the jump, and it’s just the first in a series of events designed to celebrate the Indy 500. In the near future, we will get to see Bobby Rahal drive the 1912 winning National and Sam Posey hop behind the wheel of Roger Ward’s 1962 Leader Card Special.

For now however, it’s all about Franchitti in Clark’s Lotus 38 at the Brickyard. Stop reading and start watching (and listening!) by clicking past the jump.

[Sources: Road & Track, YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Dario Franchitti drives Jim Clark’s legendary ’65 Lotus at Indy

Video: Dario Franchitti drives Jim Clark’s legendary ’65 Lotus at Indy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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