Onroak Acquires Crawford’s Motorsports Division

Photo: Onroak Automotive

Onroak Automotive has acquired Crawford Composites’ motorsports division to utilize as its new U.S. base, with Max Crawford having been named the firm’s new North American General Manager.

The French constructor announced the acquisition on Friday, which will see Crawford’s Denver, N.C. shop serve as Onroak’s U.S. factory for Ligier LMP2, DPi, LMP3 and CN activities in North America.

Onroak will also continue to support and invest in Crawford’s existing motorsports businesses, including its supply of F4 chassis to the USF4 Championship.

“Since 2014, we’ve been looking for the right place but mostly the right people to base permanently our activity in the USA,” Onroak Automotive CEO Jacques Nicolet said. “Not only are Max and Jan wonderful people, but we also share the same passion and ideas about motorsport and its development in the USA.

“With their expertise and the dedicated team they’ve been working with for many years, Onroak Automotive will pursue the development of the existing Crawford F4 program in the USA and will establish its sales and support services for its range of sport-prototypes for the North American market.

“We all look forward to the first official IMSA test in Daytona on November 15th with our new Ligier JS P217 to work all together for next year.”

Max Crawford added: “Mine and Jan’s background in racing, has been designing, manufacturing, and developing race cars and components for the North American market, and we feel extremely privileged to be invited to join the Onroak Automotive family’s expansion in North America.

“Jacques and Pierre’s vision for the future, with the growth of Onroak Automotive, and their commitment to bring the Ligier brand of cars to America is a very exciting time for both of us personally, and our team.”

Onroak’s Ethan Bregman will also be part of the venture as its North American Market Manager, with the company set to provide at-track support, with both engineers and mechanics for all IMSA and US F4 Championship events.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John