Hap Sharp

Updated on Sep 24, 2024

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Nationality American Wins 0 Active years 1961–1964 Name Hap Sharp		Entries 6 Role Race car driver Championships 0

Born January 1, 1928 ( 1928-01-01 ) Teams private Cooper, non-works Lotus and Brabham Died May 7, 1993, San Martin de los Andes, Argentina Similar People Jim Hall, Walt Hansgen, Roger Penske, Peter Ryan, Olivier Gendebien
Organizations founded Chaparral Cars

GT6 June 2016 Expert Level Historic Racing Car Challenge

James "Hap" Sharp (January 1, 1928 in Tulsa, Oklahoma – May 7, 1993) was an American race car driver who drove in six Formula One Grands Prix. He was most famous however, for being a co-owner and driver of the revolutionary Chaparral sports 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.

Hap Sharp Elva Cars Honours List for the ELVA Jubilee Year

Racing career

Sharp's record while driving for Chaparral:

1962

Hap Sharp Exoto 118 Chaparral 2 Winner 1965 Road America 500 Hap

Road America 500, Hall and Sharp 1st - Chaparral 1

1964

Hap Sharp wwwlaberezinacomimages2011007Sharpjpg

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 Mr. Tremblant, Canada, Sharp 3rd - Chaparral 2

USRRC Kent, Sharp fastest lap and 2nd - Chaparral 2

USRRC Continental Divide, CO, Sharp 1st - Chaparral 2

USRRC Mid-Ohio, Sharp 1st - 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.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

References

Hap Sharp Wikipedia

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