The photographs in this week’s trip down West Fife’s Memory Lane look at someone often referred to as Dunfermline’s forgotten racing hero.

Dunfermline Press: Jim Crawford's parents, Alexander and Annie.Jim Crawford's parents, Alexander and Annie. (Image: Contributed)

Jim Crawford was born in Dunfermline in 1948 and our first photograph shows his parents Alexander and Annie.

Jim’s first motorsport experience came behind the wheel of a Mini that he drove in several rallies. After showing great promise in Formula Libre races he landed a drive in Formula Atlantic. He was then spotted by Lotus Cars, participated in two World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, and was the winner of the 1982 British Formula One Championship.

Dunfermline Press: Jim Crawford at his first Indy race in 1984 in Long Beach California.Jim Crawford at his first Indy race in 1984 in Long Beach California. (Image: Contributed)

Jim moved to the United States in the early 1980s and our next photograph shows him at his first ever Indy race in 1984 in Long Beach California in which he finished fourth. He also finished runner-up twice in the Can-Am series before going on to make his name in the world famous Indianapolis 500 in which he was the first Scotsman since Jim Clark to lead the race.

It was there in 1987 that Jim suffered life changing injuries in a 235mph accident when he came close to losing his life. He subsequently underwent multiple operations, contracting hepatitis in one due to contamination, and was left in pain for the rest of his life. 

Miraculously Jim recovered sufficiently to return to Indianapolis in 1988, after a year of rehabilitation from leg and foot injuries and walking with the aid of a cane, leading the race for a few laps. A late race puncture dropped him from second to fifth. 

Dunfermline Press: Kevin Guthrie, who wrote 'Lessons in Courage' about Jim Crawford, will give a lecture about the motor racing driver this Sunday.Kevin Guthrie, who wrote 'Lessons in Courage' about Jim Crawford, will give a lecture about the motor racing driver this Sunday. (Image: Contributed)

In our next photograph local author Kevin Guthrie is pictured alongside a display about Jim Crawford that is currently on show in the Reading Room in DCLG. There are copies of Kevin’s book on Jim, entitled ‘Lessons in Courage’, in the Library shop.

Kevin describes his early interest in Jim Crawford: “When I was a kid I used to watch the Indianapolis 500 race and was amazed to find out that one of the top drivers was from Dunfermline. I was a big fan of Jim’s from that day on.”

Dunfermline Press: Jim Crawford celebrating a Can Am victory at Mosport circuit in Canada in 1983.Jim Crawford celebrating a Can Am victory at Mosport circuit in Canada in 1983. (Image: Contributed)

Our final photograph shows Jim celebrating a Can Am victory at Mosport circuit in Canada in September 1983.

A quotation from Roman Kuzma who was his 1986 Indianapolis Crew Chief sums up Jim’s qualities as a driver and a human being: “Jim Crawford’s infectious grin and optimism, even in the face of adversity, will stay with me forever. In a cut-throat sport that often breeds greed, jealousy and arrogance Jim was simply a racer’s racer."

Friend and rival Willy T Ribbs, the first African American driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, described Jim: “He was a hoot, a great personality and a great, great human being. There are a lot of people who live to 95 and don’t do five per cent of what Jim did.”

After retirement Jim lived in St Petersburg in Florida where he bought a fishing boat for charters, before dying at the early age of 54.

An illustrated lecture entitled ‘Dunfermline’s Forgotten Racing Hero’ will be delivered by Kevin Guthrie this Sunday in Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries at 2pm. Tickets are on sale from the venue priced £5. Call 01383 602365.

With thanks to Frank Connelly.