My son (and probably my best friend) and I did the Skip Barber Racing School at Laguna Seca March 25-27. All I can say is...absolutely awesome. The instructors were top notch and very helpful. They were very professional and extremely frien dly,cordial and, at times, funny as h*ll. They were always pushing you to go faster and helping you find the right ways to do it. You learn a lot about both the science and the art of racing. Jim Clark ("not that Jim Clark") and his crew were top notch and deserve a tremendous amount of credit for taking 32 greenhorns and having some of us turn 1 min. 50 sec. laps at LS in the Formula Dodge after just 3 days of seat time. The little Formula Dodges were a hoot. Fit like a glove and are just right for learning how to do it without killing yourself or someone else.

Now that we are both fully infected by the bug, my son and I have already signed up for the 2-day advanced course and hope to go racin' ultimately in the Barber Amateur series.

 

Thats awesome

 

Sounds like a great time Elderfart. I hope to have similiar experiences with my son when his older. Those cars look like a lot of fun.

Mike

 

I would have expect some better tires. Looks fun.

 

The treaded street tires are there for a reason. You learn car control with that level of traction, controlling slides, limiting speed, etc.

When you do the advanced 2-day school and beyond, you graduate to the RT/2000 car with front and rear wings and slicks.

 

I took the school in May of 2000, raced in about 10 of their events. Then started racing SCCA Regionals/Nationals, World Challenge and began racing PCA this year.

Get your wallet ready! Have fun with your son, that's what it's all about!

Rick

 

Yeah,

Skip Barber is awesome I did 8 days of school in Sebring many years ago and drove both of the formula dodges. Did many race weekends, one of the best was at Laguna Seca.

Was going to graduate to the Pro Series cars until they pulled the plug on them.

 

That's great about you and your son! I hope to do the same when I grow up... how old is your son, if you dont mind me asking?

 

He turns 18 tomorrow (4/8).

 

congarts on the school. I am young at 20 years old and my father got me into racing when i was very young. I actually watched him do a Skip Barber event when I was 13 years old. Skip barber runs an awesome 3-day program. The tires like someone said before are there def for a reason. They allow you to get better car control lessons. Slicks do not have the same safety cushion when breaking out therefore a beginner can get in big big trouble with racing slicks or even DOT tires. I now instruct with the PCA, BMWCCA and a ton of other schools in the area and will soon be selling my race car to buy a Radical SR4 to race in CSR. Basically what I am saying is this stuff gets addicting and very very expensive. Enjoy it because it also makes for great father and son bonding. My dad and I track all the time together and he has actually now become one of my students. Believe it or not the teacher is now the student. I ended up racing overseas as well as heavily here and he has been nothing but support and has been to every event I have been too. So its awesome to see another father getting involved with his son. I know that he def appreciates it. But more than anything you guys will have a blast together.

 

Happy birthday to him...
I'm right in his shoes, I turn 19 this August- now only if I got to goto Skip Barber.....
Hope you had a fabulous time!