Race Series News: INSIGHT: Skip Barber IndyCar Academy expands the scope of Indy dreams

[Debalobo]

Hey Guys,

Hope everyone is doing well! I know a lot of folks have been asking about the new Skip Barber IndyCar Academy. I wanted to share a recent article from Racer Magazine about the new initiative:

INSIGHT: Skip Barber IndyCar Academy expands the scope of Indy dreams


Curious to know what you guys think.

-Deb

[ra64t]

Deb,

The Academy sounds great and I'm definitely interested in it. I haven't completed the Skip Barber 3 day school but completed the 2 day advanced school in 2009 and did one regional weekend in 2010. Am I eligible for the academy?

Thanks,

-Mike Wu

[rsr427]

I am curious as to what the 'financial incentives' are to race after being nominated and before the shootout. (My cynical side says its discounted Skip Barber Race Series weekends, but who knows.)

And realistically, what age of driver are they hoping to find. If its a youngster (<24) and they can afford a 3-day racing school, then they probably have the family money to do serious karting or SCCA racing. How far would they want to push a 34 year old up the ladder? I suppose they could find the next Greg Ray.

I'm doing my 3-day class later this month. I'll mention the academy and try my best. I know I'm not a realistic candidate for Indycars, but I'd love to get in that Mazda family.

-Ryan

[Redneck]

"...Any graduate of a Skip Barber 3-Day Formula Car Racing School who has neither professional racing experience nor karting experience is eligible for the Academy, for which the school's renowned instructors will annually nominate 33 individuals (nothing random about that number!) based purely on their talent. The nominees then receive additional instruction and evaluation in an intense shootout elimination competition where the finalists square off for the grand prize – a fully sponsored entry in either the summer or winter Skip Barber Racing Series in 2013.
“Karting is a great way to come up, but you have to have parents who are into racing to get a kid into a kart at 6 or 7 years old,” explains Skip Barber Racing School CEO Michael Culver (BELOW). “The Skip Barber IndyCar Academy is for those people who didn't have that opportunity to get into racing.”

[Slowhands]

GregS: this looks like something that could be up your alley.

[M3Perfection]

I'm an eligable 31 year old, and boy do I wish I could make this happen!!

[rsr427]

Well, I did my 3-day this week, the first eligible for the IndyCar Academy program. I think it went very well, I was very quick, but there's certainly a little room for improvement. I certainly showed progress over the three days, so fingers crossed.

The way I calculate it and the way things look now, they are running 18 classes before the cutoff, and are selecting 33 candidates. You'd think they should pick at least one per class, no?

The formula cars are a blast to drive too. Can't wait to do more.

[dalyduo]

Bravo and well done Ryan... You've done all you can do. Hope it's enough to put you in the program.

Do keep us posted.

Originally Posted by rsr427

Well, I did my 3-day this week, the first eligible for the IndyCar Academy program. I think it went very well, I was very quick, but there's certainly a little room for improvement. I certainly showed progress over the three days, so fingers crossed.

The way I calculate it and the way things look now, they are running 18 classes before the cutoff, and are selecting 33 candidates. You'd think they should pick at least one per class, no?

The formula cars are a blast to drive too. Can't wait to do more.