Hap Sharp

James "Hap" Sharp (January 1, 1928 – 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
Born(1928-01-01)January 1, 1928
Tulsa, Oklahoma
DiedMay 7, 1993(1993-05-07) (aged 65)
San Martín de los Andes, Argentina
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality American
Active years1961–1964
Teamsprivate Cooper, non-works Lotus and Brabham
Entries6
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1961 United States Grand Prix
Last entry1964 Mexican Grand Prix

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 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)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 WDC Points
1961 'Hap' Sharp Cooper T53 Climax Straight-4 MON NED BEL FRA GBR GER ITA USA
10		 NC 0
1962 'Hap' Sharp Cooper T53 Climax Straight-4 NED MON BEL FRA GBR GER ITA USA
11		 RSA NC 0
1963 Reg Parnell Racing Lotus 24 BRM V8 MON BEL NED FRA GBR GER ITA USA
Ret		 MEX
7		 RSA NC 0
1964 Rob Walker Racing Team Brabham BT11 BRM V8 MON NED BEL FRA GBR GER AUT ITA USA
NC		 MEX
13		 NC 0

References
  1. The Official Chaparral website
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