Our One Day Racing School is the perfect program for someone seeking to experience the thrill of one of the world's fastest growing sports: racing. Each School begins with classroom sessions on a range of topics including vehicle dynamics, weight transfer, and the delicate balance between braking, steering, and throttle application.
These lessons are quickly put into practice with a variety of car-control exercises that allow participants to gain a greater understanding of the science behind vehicle dynamics and how it translates to racing. After completing safety equipment fitting and a car introduction guided by our instructors and technical staff, students hit the track in lead-follow exercises, experiencing motorsports from a whole new perspective.
One Day Racing School programs are offered in both our Skip Barber GT and our Skip Barber Formula Car. These programs are also offered at a variety of the tracks we visit. Scroll below to find a venue or car that matches your desire. Regardless of which you choose, you'll be eager to do more. That's where our Three Day Racing School fits in.
The One Day Racing School is a perfect gift for someone with a passion for motorsports and if you're not sure which track or date they want, you can check out our Gift Certificates!
The Three Day Racing School is our most popular program and it places drivers on the path towards receiving a racing license with SCCA or USAC. It's curriculum structure begins much like the One Day Racing School but continues to cover more advanced topics such as racing tactics, strategy, and gives student's the rush of adrenaline that comes when the green flag flys and thousands of horse power is unleashed!
Classroom sessions in the Three Day Racing School cover subjects ranging from how the contact patch of a tire impacts grip in wet weather to identifying reference points in decreasing radius corners. These techniques are the same strategies that drivers implement the first time they visit a circuit and are skills that you will carry with you for the duration of your racing career, no matter where it ends.
Once on track, the Three Day Racing School presents a variety of scenarios, all designed to build driver's comfort level in the vehicle. Lead-follow sessions give students the opportunity to trail an instructor, learn the braking marks, turn-in points, and see the apex of the corner. Next, stop-box sessions allows participants to hear directly from their instructors, without having to get out of the car. Watching from key corners, our instructors analyze student's techniques, lines, brake and throttle application, and much more to give them instant feedback that can be implemented on their next lap.
On-track sessions continue with passing exercises, practice race starts, and open-lapping where students can enjoy their final laps around the circuit before a graduation ceremony. As the program progresses, participants get to know their instructors, technicians, and fellow students. They'll leave wondering when they can return for the Two Day Advanced Racing School.
Three Day Racing School programs are offered in both ourSkip Barber GTand our Skip Barber Formula Car.
The Two Day Advanced Racing School (ADV2) begins where the the Three Day Racing School closed and is designed to continue transforming a driver into a racer. Our ADV2 program places an emphasis on race craft and in-race decision-making. Classroom sessions and on-track drills places students in scenarios they can expect to encounter in real-world racing, allowing them to learn in a safe and controlled environment.
A unique component of the Two Day Advanced Racing School are the instructor passing exercises, where our expert teachers take to the track themselves and provide wheel-to-wheel education. Classroom sessions in the ADV2 feature discussions on side drafting, setting up passing opportunities, and the important things to keep in mind when you venture away from the racing line when you attempt to make that pass!
The Two Day Advanced Racing School is offered in both our Skip Barber GT and our Skip Barber Formula Car. Upon completion of the Two Day Advanced Racing School, drivers are eligible to enter into the Skip Barber Race Series. Conversely, if drivers are interested in sedan or touring car racing, they can consider one of a number of options available through Skip Barber Racing, including TC America powered by the Skip Barber Racing School.
Prior to entering into the Two Day Advanced Racing School, drivers must have completed the Three Day Racing School or be able to demonstrate a sufficient level of experience as determined by Skip Barber Racing School's instructional staff.
OUR TRACKS
VIRginia International Raceway | Alton, VA
VIRginia International Raceway is Skip Barber's home track and it's a staple of American motorsports. Using little more than a bulldozer, it's undulating courses were laid onto the Appalachian foothills in 1957. After laying dormant for over two decades, it was revived in 2000 and has become an icon of regional and national racing.
Sebring International Raceway | Sebring, FL
Sebring International Raceway began life as a World War II military installation, Hendricks Army Airfield, where B-17 and B-24 pilots trained. When the War ended, the city of Sebring took over the field turning the over 700 acre property into a commercial airport, and a race track. It's concrete surface is notoriously worn, giving rise to the track's slogan 'Respect the Bumps'.
Lime Rock Park | Lakeville, CT
Lime Rock Park is the original home of the Skip Barber Racing School and is where Skip Barber himself began instructing the first groups of students. The track is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and stands as our most popular venue in the Northeast. At just 1.530-miles, Lime Rock Park provides close-quarters racing and plenty of action.
Circuit of The Americas | Austin, TX
Circuit of The Americas was the first purpose-built Formula 1 track in the United States and is one of our most popular locations. The track has gone on to host NASCAR, IndyCar, MotoGP, and even Australian Super Cars since it opened in 2012. Featuring fast, flowing corners and slower, more technical sections, the track presents drivers with a mixture of challenges to adapt to.
Sonoma Raceway | Sonoma, CA
Located in the heart of California's Wine Country, Sonoma Raceway presents drivers with no shortage of technical and demanding corners. A lap around this track is enhanced by the undulating foothills the track lays upon. The track is less than 90 minutes from San Francisco making this venue a top choice for corporate events.
Laguna Seca | Monterey, CA
There is perhaps no location that matches the breathtaking views, luxury accommodations, and world-class dining that the Monterey Peninsula offers. Then you get to hit the track and take on one of the most iconic corners in all of motorsports, the 11-story drop down 'The Corkscrew', before descending even further for another lap around this legendary circuit.
New Jersey Motorsports Park | Millville, NJ
New Jersey Motorsports Park offers a pair of unique layouts: Thunderbolt and Lightning. Each track traces its name back to two of America’s most iconic World War II fighter planes, the P-47 Thunderbolt and the P-38 Lightning that both flew from the neighboring Millville Army Air Field.
OUR CARS
Skip Barber GT
What started out in life as a road-going Ford Mustang has been transformed into our Skip Barber GT. Alongside key Skip Barber partners such as BFGoodrich, Eibach, Kooks, HPTuners, and VP Fuels, the Skip Barber GT provides students with an all encompassing experience behind-the-wheel that creates an ideal platform for driver development and adrenaline.
Skip Barber Formula Car
Our Skip Barber F4 car has been driving by current Formula 1 drivers, Australian Supercars champions, and NASCAR Cup Series icons. Whether you are looking for the ultimate open wheel driving experience, or preparing to climb the open wheel racing ladder after a career in karting, the Skip Barber Formula Car prepared for you to strap in.
Skip Barber GTX
Our Skip Barber F4 car has been driving by current Formula 1 drivers, Australian Supercars champions, and NASCAR Cup Series icons. Whether you are looking for the ultimate open wheel driving experience, or preparing to climb the open wheel racing ladder after a career in karting, the Skip Barber Formula Car prepared for you to strap in.
BEYOND SCHOOL
Skip Barber Race Series
Since 1976, the Skip Barber Race Series has served as the world’s premier driver development series. Alexander Rossi, Josef Newgarden, Sergio Perez, Jordan Taylor, and countless others began their careers in racing with the Skip Barber Race Series for a reason.
Skip Barber Racing
Skip Barber Racing is the natural next step for drivers who have excelled in Skip Barber Racing School programs. With a history of entries in a variety of series, drivers can seamlessly evolve from students in a classroom to racers on a podium.
FAQ
What Programs Are Available When?
Skip Barber Racing School programs have no permanent home. Instead, we visit a number of different tracks across the country throughout the year. That may mean our Formula Cars are in Virginia one week but Florida the next. At the same time, we may be using our GT vehicles in California. You can explore by track if you're interested in a specific venue, or by car if that is more important to you!
Can I Bring A Guest?
Yes, guests are welcome to join you as a spectator at all of our programs. However, they may be prohibited from some areas such as pit road due to the venue, or Skip Barber's, safety policies.
What Experience Do I Need?
While there is no requirement to have prior racing experience, we do highly recommend drivers have a basic proficiency with manual transmissions.
The Two Day Advanced Racing School requires completion of the Three Day Racing School or posses an equivalent level of experience.
Is There An Age Limit?
Drivers that are below the age of 16 may be allowed on a case-by-case basis with permission from Skip Barber Racing School instructors and staff. Past experience in karting or other forms of racing may help drivers gain approval. Drivers under the age of 16 are encouraged to contact [email protected] for more information.
In the Skip Barber Driving Academy, drivers who are 15 with a valid learner's permit are eligible to enroll.
Is Safety Equipment Provided?
Yes! We provide helmets, racing suits, shoes, and HANS devices to all Racing School drivers. All drivers must wear closed toe shoes, we recommend tennis shoes or driving shoes. Drivers are allowed to bring their own personal equipment. Skip Barber Driving Academy programs do not require any specific equipment.
What If It Rains?
All of our programs run, rain or shine, and our cars are fitted with tires that can be utilized in a variety of track conditions.