David Purley

David Purley ( born January 26, 1945 in Bognor Regis, † July 2, 1985 ) was a British Formula 1 racing driver. He participated in seven Grand Prix, but reached no championship points.

After completing his military service in a paratroop unit in Aden Purley began a career as a racing driver. First, he was active in Formula 3, where he was successful in the 1970 and 1972 three times in the Belgian Chimay. His racing debut in Formula 1 he had on June 3, 1973 at the Grand Prix of Monaco.

In the fatal accident of his team-mates and friend Roger Williamson at the Grand Prix of the Netherlands in Zandvoort on July 29, 1973, he saw the burning car wreck and could see how Williamson tried to free according to own data through the flames. Purley then gave in immediately to help him - while some marshals had to stand idly by, because they did not wear fireproof clothing. But Williamson could not be saved and burned in his car in front of millions of television viewers. David Purley applies, inter alia through this application as one of the most charismatic and popular Formula 1 drivers of his time. For his rescue attempt, he received the British George Medal.

Purleys trip to the Formula 1 was initially quite short, instead he became involved in the episode, especially in Formula 2, where he started with chevrons and Marchs for the team of Hong Kong millionaire Bob Harper. In addition, he started in Formula 5000 and won here in 1976 the British Championship. In 1977 he returned to the Formula 1 and continued with a LEC. At the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, it was at 173 km / h in a serious accident, was suspended at the Purley an acceleration of 178 g. Purley survived the accident, but suffered several broken bones. Later he drove a few not for the World Cup scoring formula 1 races in the UK. The Grand Prix career, however, was completed in 1977.

On July 2, 1985 Purley died in a plane crash when he fell into the sea in front of his home town of Bognor Regis with a Pitts Special biplane.