David Purley Silverstone 1977

Having seen the wreckage of the LEC CRP1 at the Donington collection a few times I need a few things clearing up. I bump in to Keith Holland now and again (but haven't seen him for a couple of years) and he tells me that it was a paramedic in the spectator enclosure who gave David initial medical attention including reviving him is this correct? Was there a "kill switch" fitted to the car; if so was it not used due to a lack of time? How close is the mock up at Donington to what was left at Silverstone? Hope you guys can help thanks.

I'm not sure about the Paramedic story.

I was marshaling at Woodcote that day. It was when GP's had pre-qualifying and David Purley was about to miss the cut. This all from memory so forgive me if it's not perfect. There'd been a small engine fire during the session which had been put out by a dry powder extinguisher. The car was quickly cleaned up and sent out agin to try and qualify. Unfortunately the dry powder left on the engine was causing the throttle to stick. He had a quick spin at Woodcote, but carried on until he got to Becketts where the throttle stuck wide open and he hit the wall.

I knew some of the marshals at the scene one of whom had been knocked off the bank such was the impact! It was the subject of much converstaion in the bar that evening. They were good experienced guys who I believe would have dealt with the situation properly. I do seem to remember stories of the engine still running after the accident so don't understand why the kill switch wasn't used - if it was accessable.

David survived an impact of around 180 G.
An incredible figure!!!

I have a photo of the car which if allowed i will post.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j156/Rescuedude/DavidPurley.jpg

Shows the big difference in F1 cars 30years ago from todays doesn't it.No frontal protection then,just the drivers feet and a couple of sheets of aluminium.If I remember wasn't '77 when they introduced deformable side structures?.

Its supposed to have been one of the highest survived G-forces experienced by a person. The picture here is truely frightening. Is the front of the car separated from the remainder and just resting against it... or is that concertinaed ? Purley was one amazing human being, that's for sure.

Concertinared back,in those days the drivers feet were usually ahead of the front suspension.The front wheels and suspension have been pushed almost back in the drivers lap.Amazing escape.

Thanks for the pic "rescue dude" truly mind boggling that he could have survived in what is left in that tiny space..... It must have taken a painfully long time to get him out, I read somewhere else they had to use drills and saws to cut away the wreckage.

Concertinared back,in those days the drivers feet were usually ahead of the front suspension.The front wheels and suspension have been pushed almost back in the drivers lap.Amazing escape.

I too heard that they had to cut around him to get him out, hence my reasoning that the photo was of what was left after the rescue. Its all the more frightening indeed if that's how it folded back in on him.
I've been involved in motorsport all my life [37 years] and things such as the position of a driver's feet, which didn't concern me in the slightest years ago, felt shocking when I was looking at the old F5000 and F-Atlantic cars at the Silverstone Classic a few weeks ago.

If I remember wasn't '77 when they introduced deformable side structures?.73 in F1 and 74 in the lesser formulae, IIRC. Frontal protection came much later..

I do seem to remember stories of the engine still running after the accident so don't understand why the kill switch wasn't used - if it was accessable.

The older style 'kill Switches' were not/are not that easy to find, especially when you have the amount of deformity & crush as in the Purley crash. It takes time(Seems like hours) to clear the debris, before you find it. Don't forget once the Firbreglass has gone the sign writing disappears.

I write from first hand expereince of a Chevron in the Bank @ Shelsley Walsh's Kennel Bend. It took two of us what seemed like ages to find the Switch, with the engine revving to it's limit, before we could attend to the driver. :rotate:

Stay safe,

Regards,

Jim

Concertinared back,in those days the drivers feet were usually ahead of the front suspension.The front wheels and suspension have been pushed almost back in the drivers lap.Amazing escape.

That was such a big accident that even if his feet had been a foot behind the axle line he would still have been in serious trouble.

Having seen the remains, at Donington, I find it amazing that he survived at all, let alone with all his limbs.

This is a good side on picture of the Lec http://www.racingsportscars.com/f1/1977/Brands-Hatch-1977-03-20-031.jpg,you can see the kill switch sticker infront of the mirror,compare it with the earlier picture and you can see why they couldn't find the kill switch.

I am surprised to learn that David Purley's Lec did not have a steering-wheel mounted kill button in 1977.

When he had his all-too-short outing in our car in 1972 he insisted upon a kill button on the steering wheel as he had had a near miss with a March earlier in the year due to not having such a switch.

Ironically, it was that kill switch wire that snagged, pulled out and stopped the engine, ruining his race at Brands.

I remember his accident well and it took ages for him to recover.

It was so sad when he died in his plane just of the shore at ( I think ) near Worthing where LEC Refrigeration was based.

Are they still in business as I worked for a company back in 1969 that sold their products?

Paula Hamilton

Yes, they're still around

http://www.lec.co.uk/About.aspx

I understand there were 2 Pilbeam built CRP1 where is the other one?

They are both in Donington, the wreck and the second car.