# Crawford Composites

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American manufacturer

Crawford Composites Trade name Crawford Composites Type LLC Industry Automotive industry Aerospace industry Predecessor Max Crawford Motors, Ltd. (1972) Max Crawford Composites (1988) Crawford & Crawford Composites, Inc. (1996) Founded 1998 Founder Max Crawford Jan Crawford Headquarters Denver, North Carolina , United States of America Number of employees 30 (2018) Website crawfordcomposites.com

**Crawford Composites** is an American manufacturer of carbon fiber and composite parts company based in [Denver, North Carolina](/source/Denver%2C_North_Carolina). Crawford designs and manufacture structural and non-structural composite components in industries such as aerospace, aviation, motor sports, health care, defense and structural construction.

## History

### Max Crawford

Crawford Composites founder Max Crawford started as a racing driver and mechanic in the [New Zealand Open Saloon Car Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Zealand_Open_Saloon_Car_Association&action=edit&redlink=1) racing series in his home country in 1966. Crawford moved to the USA to join [Dick Barbour Racing](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dick_Barbour_Racing&action=edit&redlink=1) as a mechanic in the [IMSA GT Championship](/source/IMSA_GT_Championship). After the disbandment of Dick Barbour Racing the New Zealander joined [John Fitzpatrick Racing](/source/John_Fitzpatrick_Racing) as a crew chief. After successes in [Can-Am](/source/Can-Am), [Group C](/source/Group_C) and a third place in the [1984 24 Hours of Le Mans](/source/1984_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans), Crawford moved to North Carolina in 1987.[1]

### Mazda RX-792P

In 1991 Crawford was contracted by [Mazda Motorsports](/source/Mazda_Motorsports) to construct the chassis for the [Mazda RX-792P](/source/Mazda_RX-792P). [Lee Dykstra](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lee_Dykstra&action=edit&redlink=1) designed the car as Crawford Composites was contracted to manufacture the car. The car was designed to incorporate many style elements of the new [Mazda RX-7](/source/Mazda_RX-7#Third_generation_(FD3S)). The chassis was a honeycomb aluminium [monocoque](/source/Monocoque). The GTP sports car was powered by a [Mazda R26B Wankel](/source/Mazda_Wankel_engine#R26B) engine. Two cars were built for Mazda Motorsports.[2] The car encountered several problems in the [IMSA GT Championship](/source/IMSA_GT_Championship). During practice of the 1992 [Grand Prix of Miami](/source/Grand_Prix_of_Miami_(sports_car_racing)) the #001 chassis caught fire. The fire was caused by the exhaust setting the bodywork on fire. Drivers [Price Cobb](/source/Price_Cobb) and [Pete Halsmer](/source/Pete_Halsmer) were unable to take part in the race. During the 1992 [12 Hours of Sebring](/source/12_Hours_of_Sebring) the car caught fire again. The two cars competed a total of 22 races in the [1992 IMSA GT Championship season](/source/1992_IMSA_GT_Championship_season). The cars scored two podium finishes, a third place at [Lime Rock Park](/source/Lime_Rock_Park) and a second place at [Watkins Glen International Raceway](/source/Watkins_Glen_International_Raceway). After a number of technical failures to finish the cars were retired after the season.[3]

### IRL

Crawford Composites was contracted by [Riley & Scott](/source/Riley_%26_Scott) to construct the chassis for their [Indy Racing League](/source/IndyCar_Series) program. The Crawford Composites constructed Riley & Scott Mk. V made its racing debut during the [1998 Indy 200](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1998_Indy_200&action=edit&redlink=1) at [Walt Disney World Speedway](/source/Walt_Disney_World_Speedway). [Eliseo Salazar](/source/Eliseo_Salazar) finished twelfth in the race. The best result was a sixth place achieved by Salazar at [New Hampshire Motor Speedway](/source/New_Hampshire_Motor_Speedway). A total of eight Mk. V chassis were constructed.[4]

### Sport prototypes

For the [2001 Grand American Road Racing Championship season](/source/2001_Grand_American_Road_Racing_Championship_season) Crawford designed and built the Crawford SSC2K. The car was designed by [Andy Scriven](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andy_Scriven&action=edit&redlink=1) who joined Crawford in April 1999 after leaving [Lola](/source/Lola_Cars).[5] The GTP sports car was powered by a [Judd](/source/Judd_(engine)) [V10](/source/V10) engine. The car was built for [Kevin Doran](/source/Kevin_Doran)'s racing team, [Doran Racing](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doran_Racing&action=edit&redlink=1).[6] During the two years the car was contested the car was fitted with various different front end designs. The blunt nose suffered similar issues as experienced by the [Reynard 2KQ](/source/Reynard_2KQ), the airflow towards the rear end was disrupted. By 2002 the Crawford followed [Lola B2K/10](/source/Lola_B2K%2F10)'s example with regard to the aerodynamic design. In the cars second season the car scored its first win. At [Virginia International Raceway](/source/Virginia_International_Raceway) [Andy Wallace](/source/Andy_Wallace_(racing_driver)) and [Chris Dyson](/source/Chris_Dyson) won the 500 km race.[7]

In 2003 the [Rolex Sports Car Series](/source/Rolex_Sports_Car_Series) introduced the [Daytona Prototype](/source/Daytona_Prototype) class. Crawford was one of seven original Daytona Prototype constructors. The Crawford DP03 debuted in the [2004 Rolex Sports Car Series season](/source/2004_Rolex_Sports_Car_Series_season). Three DP03's entered pre-season testing at [Daytona International Speedway](/source/Daytona_International_Speedway). The [Howard-Boss Motorsports](/source/Childress-Howard_Motorsports) entry driven by [Dale Earnhardt Jr.](/source/Dale_Earnhardt_Jr.), [Tony Stewart](/source/Tony_Stewart) and [Andy Wallace](/source/Andy_Wallace_(racing_driver)) was the fastest Crawford fourth overall.[8] The team finished fifth in the [2004 24 Hours of Daytona](/source/2004_24_Hours_of_Daytona). The DP03's won three races during the season. The DP03 won eleven races between 2003 and 2008. A total of eleven DP03's were built.[9] After the 2008 season the second generation of Daytona Prototypes was presented. The DP08 was less successful than its predecessor. The cars best finish was an eighth place at the [2009 24 Hours of Daytona](/source/2009_24_Hours_of_Daytona). Crawford did not design a third generation Daytona Prototype.[10]

### Grand-Am GT

Chief designer Andy Scriven designed the Crawford GT06 chassis to compete in the [Rolex Sports Car Series](/source/Rolex_Sports_Car_Series) GT category. The GT06 project originally began after Crawford was approached to build a [Ford Mustang GT](/source/Ford_Mustang_GT) for [Blackforest Motorsports](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blackforest_Motorsports&action=edit&redlink=1). The chassis was designed to accommodate a wide range of wheelbases and drivetrains for various manufacturers.[11] The GT06 chassis made its debut in the [2007 Rolex Sports Car Series season](/source/2007_Rolex_Sports_Car_Series_season). The GT06 had a tough opening season with [Porsche](/source/Porsche)'s dominating the season. With [Pontiac](/source/Pontiac_(automobile)) joining the title fight the Crawford struggled. Due to a lack of results more teams switched to the more successful marques.

### Formula racecars

Crawford Composites first attempt at [formula racing](/source/Formula_racing) came in 2014. In conjunction with [High Performance Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=High_Performance_Group&action=edit&redlink=1), the constructed announced the creation of the [Formula Lites](/source/Formula_Lites). The series is planned to run a full schedule in 2015 sanctioned by [SCCA Pro Racing](/source/SCCA_Pro_Racing). The Crawford FL15 has a [carbon fiber](/source/Carbon_fiber) monocoque chassis built according to [FIA F3](/source/Formula_3) technical regulations. The car would initially be powered by a 2L [Volkswagen](/source/Volkswagen) engine.[12] Later it was announced the car will feature a [Honda](/source/Honda) power plant. The 2.4 L [Honda K24](/source/Honda_K_engine#K24) engine will be built by [Honda Performance Development](/source/Honda_Performance_Development).[13] The racing class was announced with the unveiling of the car at the [North American Motorsports Expo](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=North_American_Motorsports_Expo&action=edit&redlink=1).[14] The FL15 made its debut at [Virginia International Raceway](/source/Virginia_International_Raceway) with [Dane Cameron](/source/Dane_Cameron) behind the wheel. Cameron ran two exhibition sessions during the 2014 Ultimate Track Car Challenge.[15]

In 2016, the Crawford F4 was launched for the [Formula 4 United States Championship](/source/Formula_4_United_States_Championship). It features a 2000cc [Honda K20C](/source/Honda_K_engine#K20C) naturally aspirated engine, detuned to 160 hp.

In 2018, the Ligier Crawford JS F3 will debut at Formula 3 Americas Championship. It will have a 270 hp turbocharged version of the Honda K20C engine.

## Cars

Year Car Class Notes 1992 Mazda RX-792P IMSA GT GTP 1998 Riley & Scott Mk. V IndyCar Series Chassis construction only 2000 Crawford SSC2K Sports Racing Prototype 2004 Crawford DP03 Daytona Prototype 2006 Crawford GT06 Grand-Am GT Chassis for Infiniti G35, Corvette Z06, Ford Mustang GT and the Ferrari F430 2008 Crawford DP08 Daytona Prototype 2010 Star Pro Star Mazda 2014 Crawford FL15 Formula Lites 2016 Crawford F4-16 United States Formula 4 Championship 2018 Ligier JS F3 FR Americas

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Max Crawford"](https://web.archive.org/web/20030810200758/http://crawfordcomposites.com/maxcrawf.htm). *Crawford Composites*. Archived from [the original](http://crawfordcomposites.com/maxcrawf.htm) on August 10, 2003. Retrieved 20 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Mazda RX-792P"](http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4249/Mazda-RX-792P.html). *Ultimatecarpage.com*. Retrieved 19 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Mazda RX-792P"](http://www.racingsportscars.com/type/archive/Mazda/RX-792P.html). *Racing Sports Cars*. Retrieved 19 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Advancing Automotive Aerodynamics"](http://www.greatercharlottebiz.com/article.asp?id=737). *Greater Charlotte Biz*. Retrieved 21 June 2014.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Andy Scriven"](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/andy-scriven/47/710/937). *LinkedIn*. Retrieved 21 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["2001-2002 Crawford SSC2K"](http://www.mulsannescorner.com/crawfordssc2k.html). *Mulsanne's Corner*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Crawford SSC2K"](http://www.racingsportscars.com/type/results/Crawford/SSC2K.html). *Racing Sports Cars*. Retrieved 20 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["2004 Test Days at Daytona"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040630225045/http://www.grandamerican.com/Events/SessionResults.asp?SessionID=305). *Grand American*. Archived from [the original](http://www.grandamerican.com/Events/SessionResults.asp?SessionID=305) on June 30, 2004. Retrieved 20 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Crawford DP03"](http://www.racingsportscars.com/type/Crawford/DP03.html). *Racing Sports Cars*. Retrieved 20 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Crawford DP08"](http://www.racingsportscars.com/type/results/Crawford/DP08.html). *Racing Sports Cars*. Retrieved 20 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Andy Scriven Discusses New Crawford Race Cars GT Programs"](http://howardmotorsports.com/news/index.cfm?cid=2124). *Howard Motorsports*. Retrieved 21 June 2014.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Crawford Composites launches "Formula Lites" class for SCCA Pro Racing"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140505080740/http://www.racer.com/latest-stories/item/101716-crawford-composites-launches-formula-lites-spec-class). *Racer*. Archived from [the original](http://www.racer.com/latest-stories/item/101716-crawford-composites-launches-formula-lites-spec-class) on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Formula Lites Selects Honda Power"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141102123836/http://www.formulalites.com/formula-lites-selects-honda-power/). *Formula Lites*. Archived from [the original](http://www.formulalites.com/formula-lites-selects-honda-power/) on 2 November 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["SCCA Adding Developmental Formula Series"](http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/road-racing/scca/scca-adding-developmental-formula-series/). *National Speedsport News*. Retrieved 21 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["ULTIMATE TRACK CAR CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY GRASSROOTS MOTORSPORTS"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141102124646/http://www.formulalites.com/ultimate-track-car-challenge-presented-by-grassroots-motorsports/). *Formula Lites*. Archived from [the original](http://www.formulalites.com/ultimate-track-car-challenge-presented-by-grassroots-motorsports/) on 2 November 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.

## External links

- [Official website](http://crawfordcomposites.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Crawford Composites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_Composites) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_Composites?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.