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.