Meeting Formula One Legend Jim Clark at Silverstone: A Berkeley B.95 First Car Story
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What happens when a kid rebuilds a rare British Berkeley B.95 for £15 and grows up in the shadow of Silverstone Circuit?
Dirk Dekker's childhood was unlike most—living near the legendary Silverstone meant rubbing shoulders with F1 royalty. But the story of how a teenage Dirk actually met Jim Clark? That's something you need to hear in his own words.
From that £15 Berkeley to becoming a Porsche 911 track instructor at Watkins Glen, Dirk's automotive journey spans continents, careers, and some of the most iconic racetracks in the world.
In this episode, Dirk reveals:
- The truth about rebuilding a rare 1958 Berkeley B.95 as a teenager
- What Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, and Graham Hill were really like in person
- How growing up at Silverstone shapes your relationship with cars forever
- The unexpected path from helicopter pilot to professional driving instructor
- Why teaching at Watkins Glen for over 25 years never gets old
- What it takes to master the Porsche 911 on track
But there's one story Dirk tells about meeting his heroes that might make you rethink everything about the "good old days" of racing. Listen to find out what happened when legend met reality.
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https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17461644-windshield-wiper-invention-story-timothy-kearns-dr-robert-kearns-patent-battle-legacy
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Chapters
1. Global Greetings & Housekeeping (00:00:00)
2. Audience Shoutouts & Seychelles Surprise (00:03:36)
3. Co‑host Banter & Follow Requests (00:04:55)
4. Meet Dirk Decker: Porsche Instructor (00:09:28)
5. How HPDE Works: Safety First (00:13:25)
6. Tracks, Regions, and Event Logistics (00:19:10)
7. Costs, Consumables, and Towing (00:24:00)
8. Who Can Drive & Track Day Access (00:28:50)
9. Early Car Memories: Mom’s MG and Citroën (00:32:45)
10. Teen Training & Tire Rack Street Survival (00:36:55)
141 episodes