By Brian Barham

Andy John Scriven, who died aged 57 in December following a road accident, was an accomplished motor sport designer whose career spanned nearly four decades. The accident occurred in October on the weekend before the US Formula 1 Grand Prix, where his latest creation as chief designer at Onroak/Crawford Motorsport – the JS Formula 3 single seater – was unveiled to coincide with the Formula 4 United States Series finale, which itself comprises a field of Scriven-designed F4-16 cars.

Andy, known as Scriv, came up through the ‘old school’ route. He joined Tiga Race Cars in the 1980s as the van driver, quickly stepping up to assume his first role as designer in 1984. He produced the 1985 design for the GT285 IMSA Lights/C2 car before joining the highly successful Tom Walkinshaw Racing Jaguar Group C programme. He later went to Brabham Racing and the Alfa Romeo Pro-Car Project, moving on to lead the design of Lola’s Nissan Group C project.

He first moved across the pond to ply his trade with the Penske Organization to work on its Winston Cup effort, briefly returning to the UK for Penske’s CART programme in Poole. In ‘98 ‘Scriv’ joined Cal Wells PPI CART team in California.

A year later, ‘Scriv’ moved to Crawford Composites in North Carolina where he, Max Crawford and the team set about realising an ambition to become a race car manufacturer. Over the next 18 years they created and raced a series of sports [rototypes, culminating in becoming the designers and manufacturers of the present F4 Racing Series cars, and next year’s Formula 3 series.

In 2017 Andy was voted in as an Honorary Member of the Road Racing Drivers Club.

Andy had a ready wit, mischievous sense of humour and was fond of pranks, which made him fun to work with and to be around. Outside of work he was a private individual, prolific reader, and enjoyed painting and art. He also gave freely of his time as a triathlete, raising money for local charities. And as a Formula SAE judge and mentor which he took devilish delight in as he imparted his wisdom.

Following the accident, it seemed like the extraordinary efforts by the surgeons had given Andy a fighting chance to recover from his injuries as he progressed from critical intensive care to nursing rehab, and recently physiotherapy. However, he finally succumbed to an infection on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, throughout his ordeal he had the tireless support of his adopted family, the Crawford’s, who were constantly by his side. Heartfelt thanks to Jan, Max, Kate, and Trudie, also to the Denver Rotary Club, and his extended racing family who sent words of encouragement. 

Andy is survived by his sister, Judith Shapland in England. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Warlick Funeral Home in Lincolnton NC is serving the family.