Ivan Machado Perez, the winner of the 2024 Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series, will join the grid for the 2025 edition of the Skip Barber Race Series. Perez, from Spain, earned a spot in a three-day shootout at VIRginia International Raceway after placing in the top three in the Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series. Throughout the three-day program, Perez and his fellow finalists, Matt Bussa and Victor Miranda were coached and evaluated by the instructional staff of the Skip Barber Racing School. The trio completed all aspects of a Skip Barber Three Day Formula School as well as a series of unique driving sessions to determine the winner. Perez, who began karting when he was eight and made a brief foray into Formula 4 racing in Spain, was chosen as the winner by senior members of Skip Barber’s instructional team. Perez will now aim to follow in the footsteps of fellow iRacing competitor Elvis Rankin who won the 2022 Skip Barber Race Series title. The shootout, and the Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series, are another example of the close relationship between Skip Barber Racing School and iRacing. Prior to the release of the simulator in 2008, multiple iRacing employees attended a Formula School at Lime Rock Park and the Skip Barber Formula 2000 car was one of the original cars included in the simulator. To this day, that car remains one of the most popular ones on the service which now includes over 160 vehicles. “Back in March, when the announcement came that they were going to do this virtual championship, and the top three would go to the official shootout, I don’t know why, but I just said, ‘why not, let’s give it a go,’” Perez said. “‘Why not get involved in it and try it out? Maybe you don’t win anything, but maybe you get a big prize?’” A big prize was indeed ahead for Perez who will now compete in the 16-race Skip Barber Race Series at iconic tracks such as WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Circuit of the Americas, Sebring International Raceway, and VIRginia International Raceway. “The talent that we are seeing from individuals with experience on iRacing is remarkable,” Skip Barber Race Series Director Ken Fukuda said. “Deciding on the winner was no easy task, I wish I could’ve picked all three of them, but I know that Ivan will represent the iRacing community well when we hit the track in 2025.” If you’re interested in joining the Skip Barber Race Series, click here to learn more!