Nick Craw, a longtime veteran of motorsports and sailing management, has been selected as president of the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States (ACCUS), which governs U.S. racing as part of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). He will succeed longtime president Burdette Martin, who is retiring in 2005.

ACCUS board chairman Dan Cotter, who chaired the selection committee, said Craw was picked over more than a dozen finalists.

"Nick Craw has the combination of a lifelong passion for motorsports and administrative ability that will serve ACCUS and its members well," Cotter said. "He is a worthy successor to Burdette Martin, and we look forward to having him aboard beginning Jan. 1."

Said Craw, "This is a wonderful opportunity for me to return to my roots in racing and gives me the chance to serve the growing motorsports industry in the United States and the participating clubs."

The ACCUS office will move from Chicago to Denver, where Craw and his wife have a home.

Craw is the executive director of US SAILING, the national governing body for the sport of sailing. He previously served as president and CEO of the Sports Car Club of America for 17 years. SCCA, a 60,000-member non-profit organization, sanctions 2,000 amateur and professional motorsports events each year.

While with SCCA, Craw was a delegate to ACCUS, served a term as vice president and was chairman of the National Motorsports Council. Craw also was active in the sport as president and CEO of Scorpio Racing Enterprises from 1968-80. As a factory driver for BMW, he earned two national championships and more career victories than any other BMW driver.

He began his working career with Project Hope, which operated the 15,000-ton hospital ship SS Hope. He advanced to responsibility for development and public relations. From 1970-72, he was the first associate director of the new federal agency, Action/Vista, the domestic version of the Peace Corps.

In 1973-74, Craw directed the Peace Corps, providing leadership and policy direction for 7,000 volunteers in 69 countries.

Craw is a cum laude graduate of Princeton University and earned his master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School.

Martin, who has directed ACCUS since 1983, will continue to work through most of 2005, completing his term as FIA vice president and U.S. delegate as well as assisting Craw in the transition.

ACCUS is the FIA's national sporting representative in the U.S., responsible for licensing and listing series and racing events on the FIA international calendar. Members include CART, IMSA, GAR, IRL, NASCAR, NHRA, SCCA and USAC.