Rounds 1 & 2 of the Skip Barber Championship Series
The kick-off of the inaugural 2016 Skip Barber Championship Series at Road Atlanta was nothing short of exhilarating. Racers from across the globe including Mexico, Spain and Australia joined American drivers in difficult conditions with mixed rain showers throughout the weekend. Past Skip Barber Racing School champions Timo Reger and Kyle Masson showcased their prowess as both battled to the end to gain their respective wins.
With margins of victory as low as .022 and constant lead changes, the two gave a sneak preview of this year’s competitive field. Other notable racers include Rookies who didn’t let their inexperience in the car slow them down. Rookie and Georgia native Simon Sikes took home his first win in a Skip Barber Racing School event. Rookie Tazio Torregiani took home a podium finish in Group 3. 2015 Karts to Cars participant Andre Castro also had a spectacular weekend taking home a 1st place finish as well as a 2nd place podium.
In the MAZDASPEED Challenge, Kieron O’Rourke ran away with the win in grand fashion in race 1. With a margin of victory of more 26 seconds, O’Rourke showcased what experience could achieve. In Race 2, competitors would challenge O’Rourke with Adam Diamond narrowly missing the top spot by a mere .245 seconds.
Group 1, Race 1
| Podium Finishes | 1st Place: Timo Reger | 2nd Place: Kyle Masson | 3rd Place: Devin Wojcik |
| Margin of Victory | 00:00.022 | ||
| Lead Changes | 4 | ||
| Hard Chargers | Nicolas Bakker with 7 positions | Kyle Masson with 7 positions | |
| Fastest Lap | Timo Reger in lap 11 with 01:39.286 |
Group 1, Race 2
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Group 2, Race 1
| Podium Finishes | 1st Place: Kieron O'Rourke | 2nd Place: Hunter Cestoni | 3rd Place: Adam Diamond |
| Margin of Victory | 00:26.281 | ||
| Lead Changes | 0 | ||
| Fastest Lap | Kieron O'Rourke in lap 2 with 01:46.231 |
Group 2, Race 2
| Podium Finishes | 1st Place: Kieron O'Rourke | 2nd Place: Adam Diamond | 3rd Place: Hunter Cestoni |
| Margin of Victory | 00:00.245 | ||
| Lead Changes | 1 | ||
| Hard Chargers | Darren Arns with 4 positions | ||
| Fastest Lap | Adam Diamond in lap 10 with 01:45.057 |
Group 3, Race 1
| Podium Finishes | 1st Place: Andre Castro | 2nd Place: Benjamin Waddell | 3rd Place: Vincent Khristov |
| Margin of Victory | 00:00.248 | ||
| Lead Changes | 7 | ||
| Hard Chargers | Matt Widner with 4 positions | ||
| Fastest Lap | Benjamin Waddell in lap 6 with 01:39.813 |
Group 3, Race 2
| Podium Finishes | 1st Place: Simon Sikes | 2nd Place: Andre Castro | 3rd Place: Tazio Torregiani |
| Margin of Victory | 00:00.107 | ||
| Lead Changes | 13 | ||
| Hard Chargers | Clay Magouryk with 4 postions | Tazio Torregiani with 4 positions | |
| Fastest Lap | Clay Magouryk in lap 8 with 01:39.412 |
Racers will have some time off before heading to Pittsburgh International Race Complex on June 22, 2016 for Rounds 3 & 4 of the series. | Formula | Master's | MAZDASPEED |
| Timo Reger—70 | John Purcell—70 | Kieron O'Rourke—72 |
| Andre Castro—68 | Michael Waters—32 | Adam Diamond—63 |
| Kyle Masson—67 | Hunter Cestoni—62 | |
| Simon Sikes—65 | Robert Noaker—56 | |
| Benjamin Waddell—59 | Christopher Warner—52 |
About Skip Barber Racing School
Since 1975, Skip Barber Racing School has been the leader in training motorsport legends of the future through entry-level, equal car championships. The Skip Barber Racing School Formula Championship (formerly “Summer”) Series is a continuation to this pledge to train the next generation of professional racers. With the series offering the most lucrative purse seen in its history, a $200,000 scholarship, the season promises to be competitive with racers traveling the globe to compete. Skip Barber Racing School launched the auto racing careers of Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, Scott Speed, A.J. Allmendinger, Raphael Matos, John Edwards, Conor Daly, Josef Newgarden, Spencer Pigot and many more.