ANDY PRIAULX has paid tribute to two friends and former racing car drivers who died in a plane crash on Sunday in Kent.
The three-times World Touring Car champion (pictured) said he was devastated to hear that David Leslie, 54, and Richard Lloyd, 64, had been killed.
‘They were both really close friends of mine. I didn’t sleep a wink on Sunday night. It’s horrible, really horrible – they were fantastic guys.’ Mr Priaulx said he had seen the crash on the news during the afternoon, but found out who the passengers were only after receiving phone calls on Sunday from friends.
He had known the pair for many years and last raced against Mr Leslie in the 2002 British Touring Car Championship.
The latter was also the commentator for many of Mr Priaulx’s World Touring Car races and was a strong supporter.
‘He was a very gritty Scottish driver who came from the older school of driving. He wouldn’t intentionally drive you off the road, but if you pushed him on to the grass, he would get you back.’
Mr Priaulx had spoken to Mr Lloyd just before Christmas about putting on an event in memory of a shared friend who had died of a brain tumour five years ago.
‘It seems more drivers are being killed in air crashes than in cars,’ said Mr Priaulx, who hoped to attend both funerals.
The two former racers were killed along with three others when their private jet crashed into a house in Farnborough, Kent, at about 2.30pm. No residents were injured.
The other victims have been named as pilot Mike Roberts, co-pilot Michael Chapman and passenger Christopher Allarton.
A minute’s silence was held for the men yesterday at a test session in Nogaro, France, where they had been heading.
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