Memorial in tribute to Formula One driver from Ruthin

Jun 17 2009 by Andrew Davies, Denbigh Visitor

Memorial in tribute to Formula One driver

THE unveiling of a memorial to Formula One racing driver Tom Pryce, killed on the track in 1977, took place last Thursday in his home town of Ruthin.

The 27-year-old was the only Welsh F1 driver to win a Grand Prix and was tipped as a future world champion.

Artist Neil Dalrymple was commissioned to design a “low-relief sculpture” which will stand at the junction of Clwyd Street and Upper Clwyd Street.

An online auction backed by racing bosses helped pay for the memorial.

Pryce was in his third full year of Grand Prix racing when he was killed in the South African Grand Prix in 1977.

At Kyalami, Pryce was unable to dodge 19-year-old marshall Jansen van Vuuren, who was running across the track to attend a small fire.

The teenager died instantly, and a fire extinguisher he was carrying struck Pryce on the head – also killing him straight away.

For many years, friends, fans and local people in Ruthin, campaigned for a lasting memorial to the driver.

In 2007, the town council invited members of the public to submit ideas for a fitting tribute.

In February 2009, an auction was organised by businessman David Richards, chairman of Aston Martin and motorsport firm Prodrive.

Mr Richards was the highest-profile member of the memorial's fundraising committee, and once co-drove a rally car with Pryce during the 1970s.

With the help of names like Bernie Ecclestone and other F1 bosses, hospitality packages to nine European Grand Prix were auctioned to help the campaign.

The memorial was unveiled last Thursday, on what would have been Pryce's 60th birthday.

Pryce's father, retired police sergeant Jack Pryce, died in recent years, but his mother Gwyneth still lives in the area.