David Purley

[Formula None]

I remember watching this a few months back. Seeing Purley try in vain and ultimately slump in disappoint is probably the most tragic thing I've ever seen in F1. Hindsight is 20/20, but it sure looks like the 4 marshals who slowly walked to the scene could have at least helped Purley push on the tires to upright car. Surely 5 guys, upwind of the flames, could have done this. Would you rather live with burns or the guilt of not having tried to save someones life?

[Formula None]

Are modern marshal uniforms fireproof? Granted, modern fuel bags, monocoques and crash structures minimize the chances of spilled fuel these days. Actually, when was the last time a tank ruptured during a crash in F1?











Seems like only a certain % are equipped with helmets, faceguards and gloves to actually deal with a burning vehicle.

[manchild]

Are modern marshal uniforms fireproof? Granted, modern fuel bags, monocoques and crash structures minimize the chances of spilled fuel these days. Actually, when was the last time a tank ruptured during a crash in F1?

Contemporary marshals have specialties, so they are trained for specific duty. The guy on the pic without fireproof overall and shoes is just a course marshal. Most likely in charge of simple procedural things helping out, collecting debris, cleaning, passing messages, delivering printed matter etc.

Incident Marshals/Fire marshals are separate category, they are well trained and equipped with protective gear.

I recommend this for complete understanding of F1 as well as any other FIA/FIM/CIK based motorsport category when it matters marshaling, procedures, safety etc. http://www.marshals.co.uk/resources/81884283171.pdf

clothing for marshals http://www.marshals.co.uk/resources/30229332250.pdf

How Marshals Posts Run

Marshals’ posts are located around the circuit and will normally be manned by an Observer, between one and three Flag marshals, an Incident Officer and an Incident Team made up of Incident (Fire) Marshals, Course Marshals and Trainees.

The Observer

The person in charge of a Marshals’ Post is known as an Observer. There is usually one per post, but sometimes more at big meetings. The Observer has overall responsibility for the running of the post and safety and is regarded as the eyes and ears of the Clerk of the Course.

Observers report on incidents during racing and practice, usually by telephone and sometimes by radio in the first instance. They follow that up with a written report handed to the Clerk of the Course or the Chief Observer, when he drives round the circuit at the end of a session. Reports may cover driving standards and behaviour, mechanical problems - spilling petrol, loose bodywork and other safety related issues - or crashes, spins and the like.

Flag Marshals

The post will usually have between one and three Flag Marshals. At major International meetings one of the Flag marshals may be in direct radio contact with Race Control. If there is no Observer, a flag marshal will be asked to act as the observer.

The Incident Officer

The post will usually have an Incident Officer who is responsible for the safety and direction of the team of incident marshals on the post. The I/O should brief marshals at the start of the day, ensure the equipment has been checked, report any deficiencies to race control, arrange the pairing up of his/her team, according to experience and direct the team in the event of an incident. The I/O will also coordinate any clear up operations and track checking. At Silverstone alone, I/Os are in direct radio contact with race control. Elsewhere, they are autonomous in the event of an incident, but under the general direction of the Observer.

Incident Marshals

Incident Marshals - also known as a Fire marshals - have at least two years’ experience on the bank who will often be paired with a new marshal.

Course Marshal

A marshal with at least one year’s experience on the bank.

[segedunum]

Without proper race organisation and marshal training you can't expect acts of heroism to save the day. It looks like you'd be able to do something, but trust me, a fuel fire like that will incinerate you if you haven't got the right clothing.

There was some debate as to whether Williamson really was conscious when Purley had got over there because the crash over the barrier was pretty severe. If he wasn't unconscious from that he would have been unconscious pretty quickly from the smoke.

[Richard]

Historic perspective is an odd thing.

A TV producer wouldn't show those pics on a live feed. When there is a major shunt they try to not zoom until it is clear that the driver is ok and giving a little wave. Even so, I'd rather they cut to the studio until we know the driver is OK, I don't want stare at a driver suffering and possible dying moments.

However, it doesn't feel inappropriate watching this video of something that happened many years ago. We look at it objectively to learn lessons from history.

For events that took place centuries ago we think nothing of gauping at the bodies on display in a museum.

[strad]

Is this really new to so many of you Purley/Williamson? OMG!

[Giblet]

Is this really new to so many of you Purley/Williamson? OMG!

Some people are younger, or got into the sport late through no fault of their own. This was almost 40 years ago now, not exactly on the tip of the public consciousness.

[Shrieker]

This is heartbraking. One has to force himself not to cry. Some posters on youtube have pointed out that Purley's outfit and gloves were fire resistant, but the marshals had just daily clothing. They'd start burning as soon as they got close to the car. Organisational fail, which -looks like- was common back then; and into the mid '90s to a lesser extent.

Roger. Back than he was younger than I am now. RIP.

David. He was the only man there that day. If only a few other drivers had pulled to the side of the road to help...


All that said, I'm afraid I also have to point out that in some ways we aren't much different than the marhsals standing there. In this so called civilised world, some nations still do not refrain from slaughtering others by the millions. All we can do against it is useless internet bickering. So don't blame the marshals. There are lots of things we can change but we choose not to; or think we can't. I'm sure they felt the same way.

[RAF]

Along similar lines, look how long it takes the marshals to get this guy out of his car! (not F1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAgFK5M2 ... ure=fvwrel

[mx_tifoso]

Is this really new to so many of you Purley/Williamson? OMG!

No one has the right to be new to the sport and not know about this roughly 30 year old accident? Give people a break.

[Carlos]

Everyman is plagued, by the knowledge, of the good he could have done. Even when all rationale, show's the attempt to be futile. One of our redeeming qualities.

I think those marshalls may share that secret shame, late at night, when sleep is impossible.

[strad]

I think if you're gonna pass yourself off as knowing about F1 ya better know some of the history and where we came from.
Many here ACT like they know everything, about everything, then to find out it's kids who don't even know the path they followed to get here.
No different than watching a little baseball then coming on a forum and acting knowledgeable about baseball.
Gilles...Bandini,,Peterson...Clark et al were the events that formed and changed F1 forever. Do you think we would be in this safety over everything mode without them..without Cevert? Do you think we'd be watching what we're watching? Have cars like we have. No Way!
To claim to be into F1 or even racing and not learn about these things is to disrespect the men and the sport.

[Formula None]

No need to get upset, strad. Some people find F1 related technology more interesting than F1 history, is all. Hence the name of this forum.

[strad]

I understand,,,(not even upset)
but I would think if one is going to claim to be a fan, they should at least know what they are a fan of and the backround.
Even the technical side requires understanding what went before.

[manchild]

Strad, I don't get what got you pissed.

I'm 38, been watching F1 since the early 80s, reading any magazine I could find before internet appeared, including old magazines from the 50s, 60s and 70s, listened to older F1 fans etc.

I've heard and read about some that you've mentioned like Gilles, Bandini, Peterson, Clark, Cevert... If you haven't noticed most of them were very successful drivers, one champion among mentioned and several race winners.

Purley had no fame but this heroic act, and neither did poor Williamson, so they were never mentioned in historical texts together with majority of those you've mentioned.

Williamson's death is not as "in" as Cevert's for some reason. Just checked wikipedia 1973 season, the only death it mentions is Cevert's! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_Formula_One_season

With no disrespect to Cevert, I'd dare to say that repeated fact that Purley was the only man on the track that day among famous or famous to become drivers like Stewart, Beltoise, Hunt, Pace, Regazzoni, Peterson, Hill, Lauda, Hulme and Amon (including Cevert) who didn't stop to help Williamson, pushed Purley's heroic act at the bottom of F1 history drawer - not to raise any dust of unpleasant questions that might dim the glow of some champions and OBEs fame.

For instance, check famous http://www.schlegelmilch.com historical photo archive. Purley or Williamson aren't even listed, not a single photo of those two. Why? Why are there other drivers from 1973 but not those two?

Was Williamson's death lesser tragedy than Cevert's, only because Cevert was more successful and drove for the top team?

No one knows everything, and person learns as long as he lives. Therefore, I see no reason for your underrating of forum members who have never heard about this incident that happened almost 40 years ago.

As you can see, the blame is not on those who read history, but on those who write it.