Since 1975, the Skip Barber Race Series has become the largest open-wheel amateur championship in North America. Each year, hundreds of drivers take part in exciting, fun and hassle-free open-wheel racing at some of North America's great road courses. It is specifically designed to be financially and geographically accessible. It's much easier to get involved than you might think.
While young drivers with career aspirations have long used the Race Series as their jumping-off point (and for many good reasons), the majority of drivers in the Skip Barber Race Series are just like you; people between 15 and 65 years old, who love motorsports and have found a tremendously fun, hassle-free way to race, as a hobby or avocation. The mix of equal cars, the arrive-and-drive format (we bring everything, from the cars to the racing suits) hospitality and the fantastic camaraderie between all the competitors bring many drivers back year after year.
Skip Barber Racing operates three seasonal championships – the aptly named Summer Race Series and Southern and Western Race Series during the winter – so that no matter the time of year, there is always racing available. You can do just one Race Weekend – or as many as you like.
The Regional Races Series is open to drivers who have completed a
Skip Barber Racing Three Day Racing School, plus two
Advanced Activities. Additionally, if you've graduated from another accredited professional racing school, or you already have a documented racing history, you are also eligible to enter the Race Series after meeting some pre-requisites.
All drivers have limited damage liability for Lapping, Practice and Race Weekends, as well as optional Race Weekend activities. Your School & Series Advisor can provide details on those limits and the required refundable deposits.
Whether you want to learn a new track or continue to fine tune your skills, "seat time" is the single most important element in becoming a safe, competitive race car driver. A Lapping session includes two sessions totally approximately 100 miles of track time and individual feedback from Skip Barber Racing School instructors. Lapping sessions are not timed and passing is allowed in specific, predetermined zones. Typically, one or two days of Lapping are scheduled prior to any Regional Race Weekend.
This is the Friday track time (Thursday at Lime Rock Park), consisting of approximately 80 miles of lapping, with feedback and coaching after every session. All your laps are timed by our Timing & Scoring staff. "Practice" is mandatory for first-time racers, optional for experienced drivers.
The big step, your ultimate goal and the end result of all your hard work and preparation. A Skip Barber Regional Race Weekend includes all Saturday and Sunday activities (Friday and Saturday at Lime Rock Park, Conn.), beginning with a qualifying session the first morning to determine your starting position for the afternoon’s race. Race 1 finishing order determines the starting grid for Race 2, typically run on the second day of the weekend.
Optional Race Weekend Activities
As you progress in the Race Series, visiting tracks for a second time and generally get comfortable in your new role as a race car driver, you will find yourself looking for opportunities to further develop your skills. The following programs are primarily for the more-experienced Race Series driver, as well as racers coming from other championships. Please contact your School & Series Advisor to see if you’re qualified.
You get your own personal coach to join you on track in their own Formula Skip Barber race car for a 30-minute on-track session. Both cars are equipped with two-way radios to allow instant feedback. On the race track, follow the instructor nose-to-tail and learn where to precisely brake, turn-in, apex and track-out. After your session the instructor will sit-down with you to provide additional feedback. A Lead-Follow session is guaranteed to take big chunks off your lap times.
When pro teams test, it’s not just to make the car faster; the days are also used to make the driver faster. What changes to set-up and chassis give the driver more confidence? What driving-style changes might produce better lap times? Test days are used to help drivers improve their analytical skills, to get the most out of the car.
The Test Day combines elements of the Computer Car course and the Lead-Follow program. You have your own personal Skip Barber coach for the program.
- Full day, starting with sessions in the Formula Skip Barber computer car.
- Coach and driver then get on track together: the driver follows the coach to learn the fastest line, the best braking-, turn-in and track-out points, and any particular “tricks” endemic to the track.
- Then a systematic series of set-up and chassis changes are made to the car, to teach the driver how each makes a difference in the Formula Skip Barber’s handling.
Lead-Follow and Test Day sessions available on a limited basis during Lapping and Practice Days that precede Race Weekends.
