Has anyone done the Skip Barber Racing School? I just want to know if it was worth it and would any of you recommend other forum members, family or friends to do it too? Oh, and how much did it cost you?

Thanks
Chris

I have done four different Skip Barber programs in the last 20 years, including the 3-day race school. I'd recommend any of their programs.

Cost depends on which program you do ... all the prices are on their website. They often offer discounts, so call and ask.

Yes, I did the 3 day racing school back in December '05. I did it at Laguna. Ranks up there as one of the best experiences of my life; I highly recommend it.

I havent done one of their official programs, but they do the SRT Track event for mopar, and they know their shit. did that twice

See Sig

I did the one day school at Laguna in 2001--incredible experience. Can't remember cost but it wasn't cheap, but worth it in spades. They were all incredible teachers and drivers, I remembered being mystified by their skill and how much good stuff they had to tell/show me. I Highly recommend any of the programs.

The $$$ you spend at Skip is worth more in lap time than the equivalent amount spent on mods. Not to mention the safety and competence you'll gain as a driver.

The 3-day is the one to do, if you can afford it. The best instructors and facilities are at Laguna Seca and Sebring, I strongly recommend going to either one of those tracks.

Also, if you do the 3-day, I'd recommend picking up the book "Going Faster" beforehand so you can get familiar with and have a basic understanding of the information.

The $$$ you spend at Skip is worth more in lap time than the equivalent amount spent on mods. Not to mention the safety and competence you'll gain as a driver.

The 3-day is the one to do, if you can afford it. The best instructors and facilities are at Laguna Seca and Sebring, I strongly recommend going to either one of those tracks.

Also, if you do the 3-day, I'd recommend picking up the book "Going Faster" beforehand so you can get familiar with and have a basic understanding of the information.
+1

I haven't been to any of Skip Barbers driving/ racing schools but i've heard tht Bob Bondaurant school is a slightly better deal because of the amout of seat time you get compared to Barbers'. I would go to both if i had the money. And definately pick up "Going Faster", very informative.

+1 on that. In fact the author of "Going Faster" was the classroom instructor at a track day I instructed at last month...guys knows his stuff.

I did the Barber 3 day school in '87 in Formula Fords at Lime Rock Park, complete with "square gears", i.e. no syncros. Wow. Completely changed my life. I had owned many ratty English sports by then, so life with weak/no syncros was not completely foreign, but not at FF speeds, and not with really good coaches right there the whole time.

Absolutely +1 on the comment "much better use of money than on mods". You'll never drive the same again.

I did the 3-day school and it was the first time I was ever on a race track. I loved it. I feel that I learned more in the classroom than on the track.

The following year I did 25 HPDE track days in my own car - I didn't even know you could do that before I went to Skip Barber. Then I bought a race car and the rest is history.

My opinion is that it's a great experience if you've never been on track before because your learning curve is so steep and the classroom sessions are so great. If you have more than 5-10 days of HPDE under your belt then your learning curve isn't as steep and you're better off at 1/5th of the price per day just doing a lot of HPDE. It's roughly $1000 per day at skippy vs $200 per day with a BMW CCA school...

JMHO.

-Mike

Its expensive as hell but its worth EVERY penny! you will NOT regret it :)

I did the 3-day school and it was the first time I was ever on a race track. I loved it. I feel that I learned more in the classroom than on the track.

The following year I did 25 HPDE track days in my own car - I didn't even know you could do that before I went to Skip Barber. Then I bought a race car and the rest is history.

My opinion is that it's a great experience if you've never been on track before because your learning curve is so steep and the classroom sessions are so great. If you have more than 5-10 days of HPDE under your belt then your learning curve isn't as steep and you're better off at 1/5th of the price per day just doing a lot of HPDE. It's roughly $1000 per day at skippy vs $200 per day with a BMW CCA school...

JMHO.

-Mike

I see Mike's point. I'm sure that it was more impressive as it was my first true "track" experience as well, althou I'd been autocrossing for many years at that point.

However, the money comparison only works if you factor in the vehicle. I believe a SpecMiata is about $700/day rental, plus $200-250. entry fee for the track event puts you close to Skippy's fees...and I'll take the formula car and the top-tier professional coach over a ratty SpecMiata and a part time volunteer club instructor for the extra $50-100. difference, all day long.

i have completed 4 skip barber schools in the last 2 years and i have to say the exp. i have gained from them is amazing. The schools themselves are expensive but i found the instructors very knowledgeable and i have learned alot more than if i had just read books and did DE's.

While I haven't been to a pro school yet, I'd recommend them to anyone, even those with 5-10 DE's under their belt. There's one person that's been in my run group from day one, and they are finally not a rolling road block after doing Bondaurant's school. At DE's, you can pickup bad habits and the instructors, while good, aren't professionals who are good at breaking you of those habits.

+1. It's a highly competitive 'industry'...you typically get what you pay for. I instruct for 6 different clubs and organizations, take it very seriously, and like to think I do a pretty good job...but not for a minute do I imagine that my instructing abilities can approach those of a Bruce McDonald or other top tier professional. It'll never happen, not even close.

Wow, every reply was exactly what I was looking for. I'm going to try to find that book Going Faster and sign up for a 3 day school. I feel like a fairly good driver, but I do make mistakes. I figure this would be excellent knowledge for the future and a fun experience.

Thanks all!

The 3-day racing Skippy School is excellent. I would imagine their other schools are, as well. That said, I'd echo the comment about getting more seat time at Bondurant than Skippy. If you can handle the trek to Phoenix, Bondurant is definitely worth it. For me, that is high praise, given how good Skippy is. The Skippy school has far more convenient venues, though, a big plus.

Yeah i agree with everyone...I've been to most of the Skippy racing courses (3 day, and 2 day advanced) including lapping sessions/practice and it taught me an immense amount of racing knowledge. I know participate in the Skip Barber regional series and its excellent!!

I also did my first HPDE about 2 weeks ago and started off in the experienced group and then was signed off for solo...Everything i learned through skip barber has transcended into driving my M3. I value my experience at skip barber very much and highly recommend their school. :redspot

Thanks for the great information guys. I have been thinking about getting out on the track too. I am going to check out that book "Going Faster" and look into a driving school. Maybe I'll be seeing you all out on the track!

Yeah, the SB programs are great for any venue of driving. Even if you just want to be a better all-round driver, the schools are great. Alot of fun! With all the SB stuff, you can usually guess about $1000/day, which is a bargain compared to running your own racecar for a weekend!

Yeah, the SB programs are great for any venue of driving. Even if you just want to be a better all-round driver, the schools are great. Alot of fun! With all the SB stuff, you can usually guess about $1000/day, which is a bargain compared to running your own racecar for a weekend!
Dude, we need to go back and do the advanced 2-day racing school!

Actually, I found that the Skippy school did not translate well into driving a fairly stock M3. In nearly all situations, an IS car must be treated much more gently than the Barber Dodge cars. It took many sessions to learn how not to punish the sedan after taking the Skippy School. The odd pedal placement/lack of space made heel & toe difficult on the Barber cars (for me, with a size 13 shoe). And, of course, TTO is a useful thing on an M3, but causes a snap spin on the Barber cars. Just another data point. Maybe I oughta get a REAL race car...

Yeah, the SB programs are great for any venue of driving. Even if you just want to be a better all-round driver, the schools are great. Alot of fun! With all the SB stuff, you can usually guess about $1000/day, which is a bargain compared to running your own racecar for a weekend!

From personal experience, how much would it cost you to run your E46 on the track for a weekend?

From personal experience, how much would it cost you to run your E46 on the track for a weekend?

NO! Let him fantasize that it's free! Isn't that the game we must pull on ourselves to continue this track craziness? No rational financial thoughts, please. (FWIW, I have a friend running the Skip Barber series because it's a great $$ value.)

^^ Agreed. No one is allowed to rationalize the costs of tracking/racing/whatever. Reality hits way too hard afterwards. :help