Roger Clark’s name is inextricably linked with Ford cars. It was at the wheel of these cars that he achieved his greatest victories and left an indelible mark on the history of rally sport. When Clark signed a contract with Ford of Britain in 1966, he could hardly have imagined that this partnership would last 15 years and make him a true legend of British motorsport.
At that time, Ford was actively developing its rally division, and Clark was immediately part of a team of three drivers driving the Ford Cortina GT. During the same period, he was partnered by such talented drivers as Vic Elford and Bengt Soderstrom.
However, the real success came in 1968, when Roger moved to the new Ford Escort RS—the car with which his name would be associated for many years to come.
Golden Years
Clarke’s achievements with Ford were truly remarkable. He became British Rally Champion three times: in 1972, 1973 and 1975. But his real fame came with the iconic RAC Rally—Britain’s premier rallying event.
In 1972, he won this prestigious event for the first time, driving with navigator Tony Mason. Four years later, he repeated his success, this time with Stuart Pegg. This victory was particularly significant: the rally was included in the WRC World Championship calendar for the first time, and Clark became the first Briton to win a stage of the world championship. Interestingly, his Ford Escort RS1800 was painted red because of the sponsorship of the Cossack Hairspray brand, making his car even more recognizable.
In addition to the RAC Rally, Clark shone in other major competitions. He won the famous Acropolis Rally in 1968, was first on the Circuit of Ireland in 1970, and won the Rally of Scotland six times (!). In total, he won 40 national and international titles, making him one of the most successful drivers of his time.
Experiments with Ford
Ford valued Clark as a talented driver and an excellent test driver. As part of his contract, he was often given unusual tasks, such as testing and racing rare or experimental models.
Thus, he rallied in a Ford Zodiac in Eastern Europe, drove a Ford Capri in the Tour of Britain, and even took part in a caravan rally (!) in a Ford Escort pulled by a trailer. In the late 60s, he also tried his hand at rallycross, competing in a Ford Capri with a V6 engine. However, despite the impressive power, handling, and reliability problems forced the company to curtail the program.
Although Clark always remained loyal to Ford, he occasionally got behind the wheel of other cars. In 1974, he was scheduled to compete in the legendary BOAC 500 race in a Porsche 911 Carrera, but his car never made it to the start line.
After Ford
Clark has been honored with many prestigious awards for his outstanding achievements in motorsports. In 1975, he and Jim Porter were the recipients of the Segrave Trophy, an award given for outstanding achievement in transportation. In 1979, he was awarded an MBE in recognition of his contribution to motorsport.
After his professional career ended, Clark continued to race at an amateur level and was actively involved in British rally life. His name became a symbol of courage, skill, and dedication. The Roger Albert Clark Rally, created in his honor, still gathers the best drivers who, like him, dream of conquering the most difficult tracks and becoming a part of history.