In memory of life and death in the fast lane

Throughout the decade Britain's motoring stock suffered a series of tragic setbacks.

Graham Hill and fellow F1 driver Tony Brise were killed in a plane crash in Hertfordshire during 1975.

Roger Williamson died at the 1973 Dutch GP, he survived an initial crash but perished in the following fire due to course marshals being ill-equipped to deal with the blaze.

Fellow Brit David Purley tried in vain to save Williamson, he was awarded the George Medal for his efforts.

Purley survived a major crash during pre-qualifying for the 1977 British GP, suffering multiple fractures to his legs, pelvis and ribs.
He recovered to race again, but was killed when he crashed with a Pitts Special aerobatic biplane into the sea near Bognor Regis in July 1985.

Welsh F1 fans were then left reeling in 1977 when Tom Maldwyn Pryce lost his life at the South Africa Grand Prix.

The Welsh wonder was tipped to be the first driver from the country to proudly stand in front of the red dragon while receiving the F1 World crown.

The son of policeman John and district nurse Gwyneth, Tom started his motoring career at the ripe old age of 21and moved into Formula Ford in 1970.

Zipping up the grid, Tom tested his talents in the Super Vee formula and then into Formula 3 in 1972.

McLaren F1 boss Ron Dennis, noticed the rising Welsh star and brought him into the Motul Rondel Racing F2 team.

Tom used the platform to secure a first ever F1 drive with the Token F1 team in 1974, but a refused entry to the Monaco race in the same year saw the Welshman revert to F3, beat the opposition the option and attract the attention of the high level Shadow F1 team.

In 1975 Tom secured pole for the team at the British Grand Prix,came in third in Austria, fourth in Germany and nabbed sixth place at three other tracks to secure 10th place in the championship.

But his crowning achievement was blowing away the opposition with thrilling drive to win the Brands Hatch Race of Champions in the same year.

Tragically the man tipped to be a future world champion by many, saw his quest for glory cut short at Kyalami in 1977.

Tom collided with 19-year-old marshal Jansen van Vuuren who was walking across the track.

A fire extinguisher carried by the marshal hit the visor of the driver killing him instantly, Tom's car carried on to the next corner hitting Jacques Laffites' Ligier.

Now 30 years on, the Welshman has been placed firmly back on pole position by fans determined to give Tom a lasting tribute in his native North Wales.

Eddie Knipe, of Kent, initially contacted Ruthin Town Council in October 2006 to ask if there was a possibility of Tom being honoured 30 years on from his death in the town.

"Tom lost his life in my homeland of South Africa and I will always remember that fateful day at Kyalami as if it were yesterday. Having quite by accident discovered that his resting place was in Otford close to Sevenoaks, and having paid my respects there on many occasions," Eddie said.

"I felt the urge to have this formidable gentleman of motor-racing honoured."

A Free Press online web poll saw almost 80 per cent of people vote for a statue to be unveiled to Tom.

Former F1 World Champion Damon Hill leant his support to a memorial.
Murray Bragg and Bob Costain picked up the baton and with Eddie, formed the Tom Pryce Memorial Trust, including Gwyn Reynolds Jones, Cledwyn Ashford, Emlyn Williams and chairman David Richards of Prodrive.

"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 I would be very pleased to add my voice to the campaign," David said.

The group with the backing of F1 fans, have decided to carry Tom's famous five black stripes on white livery on a memorial, marked for a prominent position in Ruthin at the junction of Upper Clwyd and Clwyd Street.

The campaign suffered a personal blow in March, when Tom's father John passed away two days after the 30th anniversary of the F1 driver's death.

But friends and fans have rallied around and thanks to support from the likes of the Welsh Motoring Writers and American Welsh Champ Car driver Nick Jones, who sports Tom's livery in tribute to the former driver, Wales' biggest ever F1 star is on course to finally stand proud at the top of the podium.