LEC CRP1 Ford Cosworth DFV

   David Purley will certainly not be remembered for his sporting successes in Formula 1, but his name remains indelible in motorsport history for the courage and determination he showed both on and off the track. Nicknamed "Maverick" by British journalists for his unpredictable personality, Purley was born in Bognor Regis, a small town in West Sussex overlooking the English Channel, just a few kilometers from Brighton. The son of the owner of LEC Refrigeration, a well-known refrigerator company, David initially took an interest in following his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps. However, his true passion was aviation, leading him to enlist in the Royal Air Force, where he became a fighter pilot and an elite paratrooper. After seven years of service, he decided to leave the military to pursue his second great passion: speed on four wheels.

LEC CRP1, David Purley
Zolder, Belgian GP 1977

   On the advice of his friend and driver Derek Bell, Purley began racing in Formula 3 in 1967, achieving decent results with a team sponsored by his family’s company. After a few seasons of learning, he attempted the leap to Formula 1 in 1972, participating in non-championship races. In 1973, he purchased an old March 731 and, once again under the LEC banner, entered several World Championship races.

LEC CRP1, David Purley
Zolder, Belgian GP 1977

   That same year, Purley became the protagonist of one of the most dramatic episodes in F1 history: during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, he witnessed the horrific accident of fellow driver Roger Williamson. Williamson’s car caught fire after flipping over, and the track marshals remained shockingly passive in the face of the tragedy. Without hesitation, Purley rushed into the flames in a desperate attempt to save Williamson, but despite his efforts, the British driver lost his life. The images of that tragic event circulated worldwide, becoming a symbol of heroism in motorsport. For his bravery, Purley was awarded the George Medal, the highest British honor for civilian acts of heroism, directly by Queen Elizabeth II.

LEC CRP1, David Purley
Jarama, Spanish GP 1977

   However, Purley did not want to be remembered only as a hero but also as a competitive driver. In 1977, he returned to Formula 1 with a single-seater designed by Mike Pilbeam, the LEC CRP1. Despite the limited budget, the car showed promising potential, allowing Purley to secure a surprising sixth place in his debut at the Race of Champions, a non-championship event. After his official Grand Prix debut in Spain, the CRP1 was also entered in Belgium, Sweden, France, and Great Britain, where Purley suffered a terrifying accident. During practice at Silverstone, his car crashed violently into an embankment, going from 173 km/h to zero in a fraction of a second, experiencing a record-breaking deceleration of 179.8 G, a figure considered far beyond human survival limits. Miraculously, Purley survived, but the injuries he sustained ended his racing career.

LEC CRP1, David Purley
Zolder, Belgian GP 1977

   After a long recovery, Purley decided to join the family business, proving to be a surprisingly capable entrepreneur. However, his love for danger and speed never faded, and the former racing driver returned to his first great passion: aerobatic flying. On July 2, 1985, during a flight over Sussex, he lost control of his aircraft and crashed into the sea, tragically dying at just 40 years old. His life, marked by incredible feats and moments of extraordinary courage, remains one of the most fascinating and tragic stories in motorsport history.