Connecticut born Scott Sharp returns as defending race champion

Line Rock, July 10, 2009: The champagne flowed freely last year at Lime Rock for Scott Sharp and Patrón Highcroft team. Click here for Hi-Res Patrón Highcroft Racing’s Scott Sharp literally grew up watching racing at Lime Rock Park. Maybe that’s why last year’s victory there with David Brabham and Patrón Highcroft Racing meant so much.

Brabham and Sharp gave the Danbury, Conn.-based team its first overall victory - as well as the first overall win for Acura – last year in the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix. He and Brabham return as defending champions, this time in an Acura ARX-02a entry in LMP1.

“Last year I really didn't know what to expect after not having raced at Lime Rock for 15 years but it was just an unbelievable feeling,” said Sharp, who drove the opening stint in a run that led to three class wins for Patrón Highcroft in four races. “To go out and perform the way the team did and win our first race overall was just huge. The track felt comfortable straight away even though the layout was a little bit different. I spent so many days here in the early part of my career and it was great to be back.”

Sharp spent many of his formative days watching his father Bob race SCCA events, many at Lime Rock. In fact the first victory for the younger Sharp came in his dad’s Datsun 280Z in 1985, a car he also drove to an SCCA national championship. Before last year, Sharp had not competed at Lime Rock since 1993 when he was third in that year’s Trans-Am race.

Sharp grew up watching his father Bob race at Lime Rock and won his first race at the circuit in 1985 driving his dad's Datsun 280Z. Click here for Hi-Res. Another happy homecoming would be just fine for the native of Norwalk, Conn. He and Brabham won overall at St. Petersburg in the season’s second race and lead the LMP1 championship.

“Anytime you can go to a home event is great,” Sharp said. “The reaction from the fans last year was incredible with signs everywhere, even on the roads leading to the track. I'm really looking forward to heading back this year. Everyone has had time to think about how we can improve and go into this weekend with a full assault. We’ve looked at everything and even planned to do a lot of work on driver changes - no stone has been left unturned.