Raced on in CART and the Indianapolis 500 until 1995, before taking up fishing full-time. He continued this occupation until his death, from a short illness, in 2002, when living in St. Petersburg, Florida, with his family. Crawford initially started in rallying, but quit after three years in 1969 when he hit a tree. He then moved to America, then worked as a car mechanic and preparation expert for Steve Choularton, who later helped Crawford into racing. Crawford was a shy, polite, but sociable man who was an immensely brave and ballsy driver. Although Scottish born, he grew up and resided for many years in Bolton, Lancashire, where he identified much more than his Scottish roots. As well as working as a fisherman, Jim kept tropical fish, sailed and was a diver. Crawford's career really shot onwards when he enjoyed success in Formula Atlantic; his rise into Formula 1 was quick but maybe too quick; his testing contract with Lotus was one of three F1 offers (Surtees and Tyrrell) but it never really got anywhere. After Formula 1, he worked as a transportation driver for Chevron, driving their cars from time to time. He raced in Formula 3, Formula Atlantic, Aurora Formula 1 and Can-Am before finding his feet in Indycar. Unfortunately a massive accident in turn one for qualifying for Indianapolis in 1987 not only forever derailed his full-time career and left him with permanent foot injuries, but it led to his death fifteen years later; he contracted hepatitis as a result of a contaminated skin draft after the crash and the hepatitis, mixed in with other issues led to his liver failure and death in 2002.

Biography last updated 21 Feb 2018