David Purley, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

    

David Purley

British racing driver

Date of Birth: 26-Jan-1945

Place of Birth: Bognor Regis, England, United Kingdom

Date of Death: 02-Jul-1985

Profession: aerobatics, racing automobile driver, Formula One driver

Nationality: United Kingdom

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius


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About David Purley

  • David Charles Purley, GM (26 January 1945 – 2 July 1985) was a British racing driver born in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, who participated in 11 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting at Monaco in 1973. Purley is best known for his actions at the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix, where he abandoned his own race and attempted to save the life of fellow driver Roger Williamson, whose car was upside down and on fire following a serious accident.
  • Purley was awarded the George Medal for his courage in trying to save Williamson, who suffocated in the blaze. During pre-qualifying for the 1977 British Grand Prix Purley sustained multiple bone fractures after his car's throttle stuck open and he crashed into a wall.
  • His deceleration from 108 mph (173 km/h) to 0 in a distance of 26 in (66 cm) is one of the highest G-loads survived in a crash.
  • He scored no championship points during his Formula One career.
  • He died in a plane crash, having retired from motorsport and taken up aerobatics, in 1985.

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