David Richards supports plan to honour F1 driver Tom Pryce
Quote selected text Published by F1 Editor December 30th, 2006 in Formula 1
MOTORSPORT guru David Richards has given his considerable support to plans to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the death of Ruthin Formula One driver Tom Pryce.Richards, himself a native of Ruthin, this week e-mailed the Free Press, backing a campaign to honour Tom, who was killed in the South African Grand Prix in 1977.
“I would be delighted to support the campaign to honour Tom Pryce on the 30th anniversary of his death,” he said.
“Tom was more than just an extraordinary Formula One racing talent, he was an unassuming down-to-earth person with his roots in Wales.
“I believe it would be very fitting if Ruthin was to recognise him in some way and would be very pleased to add my voice to the campaign.”
Last week, the Free Press reported how the Ruthin Town Council-backed campaign had turned into a national call, as F1 fans across the UK, led by Kent resident Eddie Knipe, were pushing for a fitting memorial.
Last week’s Free Press web poll on who readers would like to see a statue unveiled to, saw more than three-quarters of people voting for the F1 driver.
Tom, born in 1949, started racing in Formula Ford in 1970 and moved on to the Super Vee formula and Formula 3 in 1972. He hit the F1 stage with Token F1 team in 1974 and after reverting back to F3 for a supporting Monaco race, he was offered a drive with the Shadow F1 team.
Tom won the non-title Brands Hatch Race of Champions and claimed pole position at the British GP in 1974.
His top drives came with a third at the Austrian GP in 1975 and another third at the 1976 Brazilian GP.
Bookmark to:
- Richards denies Aston Martin F1 link
- Prodrive plan December ‘07 test debut
- Ford confirms Richards’ Aston Martin buyout
- Richards delays Prodrive announcements
- Prodrive not stillborn - Richards
What a pleasure now that David Richards has leant his support to the campaign to get Tom Pryce honoured in Ruthin (North Wales). As stated so many times before, Tom still serves to inspire us after all these years.
Councilor Murray Bragg has put in a huge amount of ’spadework’ in Ruthin to get things moving as we approach the 30th anniversary of Tom’s untimely death in the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami.
With David Richards on board, the intended memorial (statue) to honour Tom Pryce will surely now reach fruition.
Thank you to all who have contacted the Ruthin town council with thoughts/ideas and to everyone who offered advice on the http://www.autosport.com website on the thread I started relating to “A Memorial to Tom Pryce 30 Years On ………”