TRIBUTES have been paid to a brave Bradford-born racing driver who pioneered flame-proof clothing for motor racing after surviving a crash over 50 years ago with extensive burns to his body.

Peter Procter, who was born in Bradford but who  lived in Appletreewick, has died at the age of 94.

As well as being a highly-successful racing driver, he was also an exceptional cyclist and rode for the Great Britain team in the world championships.

Racing was a big part of Peter’s life and the British Racing Drivers Club (BDRC) paid tribute to a man who they described as “exceptional” and “very brave”.

In a tribute, the BRDC wrote: “It is with great sadness that the club has to inform members of the death of Peter Procter on Thursday, August 15, at the age of 94.

“He had been suffering from ill health for several months. Originally elected as a full member in 1968, Peter became a life member of the BRDC in 1990.

“Racing was very much a feature of Peter’s life, first in cross-country running while living in Bradford during World War Two.

“To escape to the country, Peter joined the East Bradford Cycling Club in 1947, where his proficiency soon resulted in him being selected to ride for Great Britain in the 1950 World Championships in Belgium.

“He was then called up for two years’ National Service in the Royal Artillery during which time he was again selected to represent Great Britain in the World Championships."

In 1952, Peter won the British Road Racing Championship and the ‘King of the Mountains’ title in the Tour of Britain. He also came close to selection for the British team in that year’s Olympic Games in Helsinki.

Appletreewick's Peter Procter (left), who died at the age of 94, is pictured here with his friend Ken Mitchell who raced in the Tour De France in 1955Appletreewick's Peter Procter (left), who died at the age of 94, is pictured here with his friend Ken Mitchell who raced in the Tour De France in 1955 (Image: Stephen Garnett)

After being demobbed Peter, together with his brother Gerald, established a property repair and development business. The firm prospered so that by 1954 he was able to acquire a new Aston Martin DB2/4 sports car.

The BRDC added: “Initially seeing it as a desirable road car, the racer in Peter soon meant that he entered the car for a Bentley Drivers’ Club race meeting in April 1955 at Oulton Park.

“Peter continued to compete with the Aston in various events at club level through the year, but his thoughts were turning towards something more suitable for racing.”

By the time he reached the age of 36, Peter was one of the UK’s top racing drivers, a friend and competitor to the sport's greats such as Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill and Jim Clark.

His racing pedigree included eight Monte Carlo rallies, four Le Mans 24-hour races, The RAC, Tulip and Coupe Des Alpes rallies, Formula Junior racing with Ken Tyrrell and many Formula Two races with Lotus.

In 1963 Tyrrell asked Peter whether he would be interested in driving a Formula 1 Cooper, an offer which Peter, after a good deal of thought, politely declined since he had a family and a thriving business to care for.

Peter had no regrets about his decision although there cannot be many drivers who have turned down an offer of a place in a Formula 1 team for no financial contribution

But then in 1966, a serious crash on the track changed his life.

The BRDC said: “In 1966, he signed up with Broadspeed as teammate to John Fitzpatrick in the British Saloon Car Championship, driving a Ford Anglia in the 1000 cc class.

“At Goodwood on Easter Monday, early in the race Peter’s car was hit in the rear and rolled over violently, immediately catching fire with Peter trapped inside.

“Somehow, he found the strength to burst through the melted plastic side window of the Anglia but not before he had sustained burns to two thirds of his body.

“After many months at the Queen Victoria Hospital at East Grinstead, Peter was able to return to a more or less normal life but apart from a few celebrity races, he never raced again.

“Peter never lost his enthusiasm for motor sport. With his wife Shirley he was a regular visitor to Silverstone, showing a keen and very well-informed interest both in the affairs of the BRDC and in the wider world of motor racing.”

A retired builder from Bradford, Peter contributed much more to the sport, as he was a driving force behind the introduction of flameproof overalls in motor sport.

He appeared in magazine adverts for fire retardant materials and wasn't afraid of using his own injuries to warn others of the dangers.

The BRDC added: “He was truly an exceptional and very brave man who will be very much missed.

“The BRDC offers its deepest condolences to his wife Shirley, their sons Derek, Paul, Gary, Andrew and Stuart, and their families.”

Peter’s son Andrew Procter said: “Father was a born and bred Yorkshireman who lived his whole 94 years here.

“He loved the Yorkshire Dales and in particular Appletreewick and Wharfedale, which he made his home for the last 50 years.”

Peter’s funeral was held on Friday, August 30, at St Wilfrid’s Church in Burnsall.