Finale a tough outing for roadcourse racer Sharpe

Damon Sharpe was one of the participants in the Ride and Drive at the recent Tournament of Champions. Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins offered him some helpful advice as co-pilot.

The Canadian Automobile Sports Club (CASC) annually hosts the final round of the Ontario Challenge Cup GT Sprints called the Celebration of Motorsport.

This is local racer Damon Sharpe's favourite event of the year. Sharpe competes in the GTB class with the

Team Sharpe Racing, Prudential Lorimer Realty, Race prepared Acura Type R.

This year's result, however, was catastrophic and definitely not what the team was looking for. Heading into the final event, Sharpe's brother Jason was a mere 18 points out of the

championship lead and was scheduled to take over the driving duties for the big points paying race.

Damon had a great qualifying session ahead of many of the faster cars and first in class, 13th overall. During the start, a car up ahead missed a shift which is enough to cause serious problems for the entire 43 car grid. Damon tangled with a neighbouring BMW and both cars were sent into the concrete retaining wall ending both competitors day on the first lap.

"The damage was obvious we were not able to continue," said a dejected Sharpe. "It is a winter project now".

Jason managed to hold on to third in the championship points, despite taking the green flag for the finale.

"It is unfortunate what happened but that's racing," Jason said. "I was looking forward to the fight, but we also wanted to give Damon the opportunity of racing at his favourite event."

He added they enjoy racing together and look to partner in some events next year. "It was also great to see Prudential Lorimer Realty sponsor him as it would not have been possible without their support," he remarked.

"We are happy to sponsor Damon and Team Sharpe Racing as his obvious passion for racing spills over to his Real Estate career and duties," commented Ron and Deborah Abraham, broker owners of Prudential Lorimer Realty in King City (where Damon is a sales representative). "That kind of passion is good for our reputation of building higher standards and that makes good business sense."

Team Sharpe Racing would like to thank Sigma Promotions, Prudential Lorimer Realty and Jim Bray trailers for their support. It was a great 2006 for racing! The Team plans to

contest a partial season next year with a firm eye on competing in the Grand Am Cup Series, which kicks off their season in January at the famed infield Road Course at Daytona International Speedway.

For Sponsorship inquiries contact Jason Sharpe Team Sharpe Racing at (905) 270- 0039.