James R. Sharp

A Texan involved in the oil-drilling business, Sharp was a long-time associate of Jim Hall who became closely involved in the Chaparral project, mainly racing in the USRRC series. In 1964, ‘Hap’ was fifth overall in the championship and also won the Nassau Trophy teamed with Roger Penske. Improving on this the following year, he took third overall in the series and won the Sebring 12 Hours with Hall, recording six other big wins including another Nassau victory.

A great Formula 1 enthusiast, Sharp had the wherewithal to arrange a succession of Grand Prix drives on the North American continent in the early sixties, coming close to scoring a point in Mexico City in 1963 in Reg Parnell’s Lotus-BRM. After retiring from the sport, Sharp suffered from personal problems which resulted in his suicide in May 1993.