American Le Mans Series
Sharp to leave Highcroft and race for own team!
© Patrón Highcroft Racing
Scott Sharp has decided to step away from the Patrón Highcroft Racing team and will race for his new GT2 team in the 2010 American Le Mans Series season. The move means Sharp will not be able to defend his American Le Mans Series LMP1 title next year.
After announcing the birth of his own team, Extreme Speed Motorsports, three weeks ago the American made it clear that he intended to return to the LMP1 class to defend his title. But instead he has now opted to race for his own team, which is expanding into a two-car operation for the 2010 American Le Mans Series GT2 championship.
Scott Sharp and Ed Brown will be two of the team’s drivers, with the team’s two other drivers to be confirmed at a later date.
“It was always my intention to come back and defend my championship win with Brabs and the Highcroft boys in 2010 but after I started the process of getting everything established for Extreme Speed Motorsports, I quickly realized the amount of work we have ahead of us”, said Sharp. “I don’t want to do anything at less than 100 percent. It wouldn’t have been fair to Duncan, Brabs and the Highcroft boys if I wasn’t able to be absolutely committed to defending the championship. Also in establishing the new Ferrari team, it also wouldn’t be fair if I wasn’t able to devote the amount of time required to kick-start the new program.”
Scott Sharp’s move also leaves an open spot in the Patrón Highcroft Racing Acura. Team owner Duncan Dayton confirmed that the team is already looking at drivers that could partner Brabham in 2010. “We’re looking closely at our driver options for 2010 and will be indentifying drivers who will be able to work as well with Brabs as Scott has done over the past couple of years. Their preferences on car set-up were very similar and they were able to use the same seat. Being able to work so well together played a big role in clinching the championship.”
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My three ideal picks would be Pagenaud, Diaz or Fernandez. But the possibilities are very extensive, if not endless.
The Acura guys from P2 would make sense since Lowe’s is out. I would think Pagenaud is staying with DeFerran. Maybe Franchitti will leave IRL since he has a championship now and he can join the series with his brother. I’m available too.
Why are we not surprised at this. Scott destroyed so much equipment and nearly lost Highcroft the championship in the process that they had to do something. So Ed Brown, with the Patron money, gets to play in the big game now and can continue to sponsor Highcroft w/o having to insert Scott there. I predict this new team will provide competition in GT2 for Seth Neiman but accomplish little else.
So now Scott Sharp can wreck his own cars, good for him
It’s pretty hard to argue with a championship. But on your other point, remember it is two cars Tonio, so this could be Ferrari’s answer to Flying Liazard.
I don’t think Sharp’s pace or damage of equipment figured into this decision. I think the fact he needs to focus on ownership because the darn thing won’t run itself and Ed Brown has no experience in running a team either.
How you suppose to address a concern if your driving in another class?
Stop with the Pagenaud going to Highcroft nonsense. Gil signed Simon with the intention of keeping him around for anything he does. Simon is a future star in America and Gil knows this, he will be in an IRL car next year. You’ll F1 refugee in the other car, Gil is not driving next year.
I can’t wait until we see the painted cars, this is opportunity for Extreme to do a great looking Black and Green paint scheme with polished or Flat Black BBS wheels.
Edel Cris cars looked great Black, but with the Green Parton theme it should really stand out.
I agree Chris, Ferrari was looking for another partner to battle Porsche and BMW. If rumors of BMW adding 2 additional cars to the mix, along with maybe FL or Vici stepping up additional front running cars and drivers, Ferrari had to find another willing partner since it doesn’t have a direct factory race team.
It also put them in line for the SEXY 458 GT2 we should see in 2011…
A well financed squad it will be. Ferrari wouldn’t mind providing backing.
That might mean The highcroft car will be looking for sponsorship. That shouldn’t be too hard. But some people might get eye sores from seeing highcroft in a different paint scheme.
Bobby Rahal and Scott Sharp will finally get the chance to stick it to each other. The ALMS probably won’t openly discuss this rivalry, but trust me it will be there.
Remember when Scott drove for Bobby in IRL (2007)…Scott broke his contract by leaving and taking his sponsorship with him. Bobby sued because he didn’t want Scott to race anywhere else, but all the court did was ban scott from racing for another IRL team in 2008. That’s when scott went to Highcroft for 2 seasons. Apparently scott had made the best move for his career.
Whoever they stick in the car had better be real fast if De Ferran is getting 2 cars next season. Aside from who might partner Lewis Hamilton in F1 next year, This will be the lineup news of the off-season.
Highcroft won’t be looking for sponsorship. Patron will stick with them.
I’m not so sure about Pagenaud going to IndyCar. I think he has stated he wants to be a sportscar driver, however, he has also stated that he wants to stay with Gil. And who can blame him, Gil will be Penske-like in the future and Simon could be his Mark Donohue. So unless Gil has an ALMS program, Simon may be forced into IndyCars.
I should say FOR Gil.
I think he is doing this to foucs on his new team. There is alot of starting a new team in Sports Car Racing.
I am going to miss the F430 GT2 though, and I cant wait to see the 458 GT2 on track, and winning races, Le Mans, and championchips
The great news about this whole thing for you then Christophe, is that you have two additional 430s to watch in the toughest series in sportscar racing next year!
Yes I am excited. Plus on of the F430 GT2 will be in Patron colors : It’s going to be a tough season with the Vette’s in GT2.
I would like to see Ferrari do a full LMP2 car. (like Porsche LMP2) Just build about 6 cars, and call it a day. OR just build a engine, and get a chassis manufacture. But I cant see a Lola powered Ferrari from some reason lol
I dont think they need to build a engine, because cant a LMP2 engine be a GT1 engine?? (i think) But just ask Pordrive if they still have any 550 GT1 engines laying around, and upgrade it. It would be better if Dallara was back in the game. Put the two together, and there is your Ferrari
Why would Ferrari build an LMP2 car when LMP2 is meant for the privateers? Ferrari should supply an LMP engine before they build an LMP1 machine.
Did Scott Sharp crash his way to the 1991 and 1993 SCCA Trans-Am Series titles? How about the 1996 24 Hours of Daytona?
Na but scott sure did a good job all last season and the petit was just a really good job
I don’t know why this is so hard….
DARREN TURNER
You should not have to ask why…
Daren turner? Solid pick, but prodrive has been good to him. If they run next year he will stay.