Kent air crash victims had close local links

Tuesday 1st April 2008, 2:29PM BST.

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.