Quote:
Originally Posted by Delta Whiskey
Wandering through the BBC archive I came across an article about Tom Pryce the only Welsh F1 driver to take pole position.
"Thirty-five years ago: the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. A dashing young chap from north Wales sits in his Formula One car at the front of the grid. A Welsh speaker on pole position, a Welsh flag emblazoned on his crash helmet."
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Yes Delta Whiskey - Tom Pryce was born in Rhuthin, North Wales. There are plans afoot to erect a statue in his memory. He was a gentleman and tragically died at Kyalami on 5th March 1977, in one of the most horrific (and bizarre) crashes in F1 history. He hit South African marshal Frederick Jansen van Vuuren at 170mph just along the 'Kink' section of track. The 19 year old marshal was carrying a fire extinguisher (trying to cross to get to Renzo Zorzi's car). The extinguisher hit Pryce full in the face, nearly decapitating him. Both the marshal and Pryce were killed instantly. It is on youtube and I would counsel the squeamish to avoid it...