Month by month, Vintage Racecar tries hard to bring readers some of the world’s finest competition cars—some with impeccable racing pedigrees, or others that have an interesting history. This month, our profile of the 1977 LEC CRP1 F1 car is more about the determination of racing driver David Purley to take on the challenge of Grand Prix racing, rather than to be World Champion. Yes, Purley wasn’t really interested in being World Champion! Quite a remarkable statement, you may say, but you need to understand the nature of the man before you come to any conclusion. It may also surprise readers to understand that he wasn’t a particular fan of motor racing. Please read this month’s “Legend’s Speak” column where Purley’s great friend, Le Mans legend Derek Bell, remembers “Dave.” While results, in the small amount of races the car competed, weren’t too complimentary of its performance, the structural integrity of the car spoke volumes following Purley’s immense accident during pre-qualifying for the 1977 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
David Purley
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