Zandvoort

Sir, I feel it is time I put pen to paper to complain most bitterly about the fire fighting arrangements at the Dutch Grand Prix. It was painfully obvious that the marshals present at the scene of Roger Williamson’s crashed March had very little or no idea at all what to do in such a situation. On the televised coverage of the circuit I saw only one fire extinguisher, the one that driver David Purley ran to the other side of the track to get. As the marshals ran over to the blazing car they seemingly left that one extinguisher behind. It was sickening to watch these marshals who turned out in sports coats etc. with not one piece of fire proofed clothing seen amongst them for at least five more minutes until the fire truck arrived.

David Purley put up a fantastic fight to try and free Williamson but was on his own. This must not be allowed to happen again, these marshals at Zandvoort should have had more experience and adequate fire fighting equipment on hand to cope with this, and as a result of their lack of knowledge and equipment another driver is dead.

I add my deepest sympathy to Roger’s family and friends.

Murston.

R. C. Algar

(This is but one of scores of similar letters we have received. – Ed