James "Hap" Sharp (January 1, 1928 – May 7, 1993) was an American race car driver who drove in six Formula OneGrands Prix. He was most famous however, for being a co-owner and driver of the revolutionary Chaparralsports racing cars built by Jim Hall and Sharp in Midland, Texas. In 1962 Jim Hall and Hap Sharp formed Chaparral Cars, Inc. and immediately began the design and construction of Chaparral 2, a mid-engined car with an aerospace inspired semi-monocoque fiberglass chassis.
Racing career
Sharp's record while driving for Chaparral:[1]
1962
Road America 500, Hall and Sharp 1st - Chaparral 1
1964
USRRC Kent, Sharp 2nd - Chaparral 2
USRRC Greenwood, Sharp fastest lap - Chaparral 2
USRRC Mid-Ohio, Sharp 1st - Chaparral 2
Nassau Speed Week, Sharp/Penske 1st - Chaparral 2
1965
Sebring, Hall/Sharp fastest lap and 1st - Chaparral 2
USRRC Riverside, Sharp fastest lap and 2nd - Chaparral 2
Bridgehampton, Sharp 2nd - Chaparral 2
USRRC Watkins Glen, Sharp 2nd - Chaparral 2
FIA Mt. Tremblant, Canada, Sharp 3rd - Chaparral 2
USRRC Kent, Sharp fastest lap and 2nd - Chaparral 2
Road America 500 Hall/Sharp/Hissom 1st, Hall/Sharp/Jennigs 2nd - Chaparral 2
Bridgehampton, Sharp fastest lap and 1st - Chaparral 2
Kent WA, Sharp 2nd - Chaparral 2C
Laguna Seca, Sharp fastest lap and 2nd - Chaparral 2
Riverside, Sharp 1st - Chaparral 2
Las Vegas, Sharp 1st - Chaparral 2
Nassau, Sharp 1st - Chaparral 2 (fitted with two position flipper type spoiler per the Chaparral 2C)
Sharp retired from driving after the 1965 season, with two exceptions. Sharp drove a Chaparral 2E in the 1966 Nassau Trophy race, and substituted for Mike Spence (F1 commitment) driving the Chaparral 2F in the 1967 Targa Florio.
Personal life
His nickname "Hap" came from "Happy New Year", in connection with his date of birth. He committed suicide in 1993 after being diagnosed with cancer.
