Sim racers are already familiar with the Skip Barber Racing School if they ran in iRacing - now, the US racing school incorporates sim racing in its program thanks to a brand-new sim center.
The Skip Barber Racing School has been around since 1975, founded by the former racing driver of the same name. You may or may not recognize the racing school from a magnet on Jerry Seinfeld's fridge in the Seinfeld TV series, but most likely, you will have stumbled upon it in iRacing.
In the sim, the Skip Barber Formula 2000 car is one of the more popular cars on the lower rungs of the open-wheel ladder. The official Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series championship is built around the little winged car, providing close competition and a good base to practice racing formula cars.
While the iRacing car has been a staple of the sim for years, the favor is now returned, so to speak: The Skip Barber Racing School has added 10 high-end simulators to its base on Long Island, New York, cooperating with SimCraft - and not just randomly.
SimCraft CTO and Co-Founder Sean Patrick MacDonald is "a proud graduate of Skip Barber, having attended the 3-day formula school 15 years ago. This experience was pivotal for our R&D efforts in developing the most advanced motion simulation technology".
The "Skippy" in iRacing, as the car is affectionately known. Image: iRacing.com
From the photos available, the rigs are running Simucube wheel bases, Tilton pedals, and MME H-shifters to prepare students for their on-track sessions. Skip Barber Racing School did not state which sim they will run on these high-end rigs, but considering that their Formula 2000 car is already available in iRacing alongside a big selection of US tracks, the leading competitive sim would be our bet - unless the simulators run bespoke, professional software not available to consumers.
What do you think about sim racing becoming more and more of a training tool for professional drivers? Let us know in the comments below!
The Skip Barber Racing School has been around since 1975, founded by the former racing driver of the same name. You may or may not recognize the racing school from a magnet on Jerry Seinfeld's fridge in the Seinfeld TV series, but most likely, you will have stumbled upon it in iRacing.
In the sim, the Skip Barber Formula 2000 car is one of the more popular cars on the lower rungs of the open-wheel ladder. The official Skip Barber Formula iRacing Series championship is built around the little winged car, providing close competition and a good base to practice racing formula cars.
While the iRacing car has been a staple of the sim for years, the favor is now returned, so to speak: The Skip Barber Racing School has added 10 high-end simulators to its base on Long Island, New York, cooperating with SimCraft - and not just randomly.
SimCraft CTO and Co-Founder Sean Patrick MacDonald is "a proud graduate of Skip Barber, having attended the 3-day formula school 15 years ago. This experience was pivotal for our R&D efforts in developing the most advanced motion simulation technology".
The "Skippy" in iRacing, as the car is affectionately known. Image: iRacing.com
"A Cutting-Edge Tool"
In an age where more and more professional drivers hone their skills in simulators, this feels like a logical step. "These advanced simulators, renowned for their precision and immersive experience, will provide Skip Barber students and professional drivers with a cutting-edge tool for honing their skills. Whether it’s refining racing lines, practicing braking techniques, or getting familiar with a new track, these simulators offer an unparalleled training environment that perfectly complements Skip Barber’s wide range of on-track programs", states the official announcement.From the photos available, the rigs are running Simucube wheel bases, Tilton pedals, and MME H-shifters to prepare students for their on-track sessions. Skip Barber Racing School did not state which sim they will run on these high-end rigs, but considering that their Formula 2000 car is already available in iRacing alongside a big selection of US tracks, the leading competitive sim would be our bet - unless the simulators run bespoke, professional software not available to consumers.
What do you think about sim racing becoming more and more of a training tool for professional drivers? Let us know in the comments below!
