ASM and Howard Racing had their home race of the season last weekend at Queensland Raceway near Ipswich. The team where in very good spirits after a fantastic day of testing the week before where all three drivers posted their quickest times of the year at the test track. With sponsors arriving and friends and family supporting it was to be a large event for the Gold Coast based team.

Practice one proved to have its problems as Sharpe pitted four or five times with engine trouble. “The engine was missing in third gear coming out of turns three and six! These are crucial corners to get right as they lead onto long straights” said Sharpe. The car was never fixed in practice one and Sharpe was to be down the order of times.

The following practice session wasn’t much better as misfire was still occurring. A frustrated Sharpe put in some good times and easily made the top 50% for qualifying the next day. During that evening the team spent a few hours going through the engine and its management system checking and replacing parts.

The car seemed to be running a lot better during qualifying – Sharpe was able to push hard. The times kept getting better and Sharpe ended up 8th, his best place finish so far this season. “It was a good qualifying session. I believe the car can go faster but with limited clear laps this time will be fine for the race”, said Sharpe.

Race one saw Sharpe climb a couple of places throughout the race. “We collected some good points for this race and its puts me third on the grid for tomorrow’s top 10 reverse grid!” said Sharpe.

The reverse grid race was eventful as the first few laps took place Sharpe found himself some room on the circuit to push on. However, into turn three taking a slightly defensive line the #32 Falcon snatched a front wheel and entered the gravel trap. “We lost a few places. I must have got on a dirty line as I wasn’t braking late” commented Sharpe. During the next couple of laps the marshals recognised that the car had a loose passenger window so the team had to pit and have the window removed! This put the Falcon to the back of the field and we had it all to do as the safety car peeled off. Sharpe took five or six cars throughout the last part of the race which secured him a 22nd position start in the final race.

Race three was the longest race of the weekend and timed for when the sun was setting so a few of the turns proved difficult to see clearly. A good start meant that Sharpe maintained his position and could start pushing to work his way up the grid. Some good defensive driving from the drivers ahead of him made it very difficult to pass at Queensland Raceway. However, Sharpe kept pushing on hoping for mistakes and then taking advantage of them. The race ended up with Sharpe finishing 9th.

The overall position for the weekend was 9th. This has helped him to move up the Championship table with Sharpe now sitting very close to the top ten.