Skip Barber School files bankruptcy

It will be interesting to see how this goes. My wife and I were left holding the bag after they cancelled our Sebring school in March at the last second. Last Friday I enrolled us in a makeup class at AMP between Christmas and New Years. I guess I shouldn't hold my breath

Logdogs lost money!

I get daily emails from Skip Barber racing school, and every one offers me 30-50% off. I've been thinking about signing up for a three day school, but there never seem to be any Lime Rock dates offered. I guess this explains that.

things like this make me worry about our passion

Woody wrote: I get daily emails from Skip Barber racing school, and every one offers me 30-50% off. I've been thinking about signing up for a three day school, but there never seem to be any Lime Rock dates offered. I guess this explains that.

We took advantage of a 50% off July 4th sale last year so we could both go for the cost of 1. I had a pretty sour taste in my mouth with how things have been going before today's announcement. Mrs Logdog wanted to get all Sherman's March on their office when the school was cancelled so she is not too happy with the news.

Im hoping we still get to go. But Im going to plan on driving down rather than buy flights

FlightService wrote: things like this make me worry about our passion

It will always be there, but it might not be big enough to support dedicated businesses like Skippy, unfortunately.

Hmm. Did you put the school on a credit card? They might still do something for you. Give your credit card co a call. Tell them what happened and about the new announcement. Maybe they'll charge back.

I did a season of Skip Barber MX5 in 2009. It had or was about to change ownership. Apparently the new owner was riding on name alone since Skip Barber himself isn't involved any more. A lot of the veteran instructors bailed after not getting paid and continued issues. The car maintenance was slipping too. Several of them went to form the Lucas Oil School of Racing with more modern formula cars. It is sad as I learned a ton in that series and had a great time. Hopefully Skip gets the school back and makes it what it once was.

I hope this is not a predictor for the Bob Bondurant schools. If they both go under where are all the Nascar Cup drivers going to get their refresher training before all two of their road races each year?

If anything this sounds like it is proving the health of the market... or the impact that NASA HPDE , SCCA PDX /TNIA , and other private "track day" events are having on the entry-level market... such that a "legacy brand can't skate by" anymore?

Then again, Skip Barber focused on race craft... which is maybe harder to access these days now?

I did the Skip Barber one-day formula racing school two summers ago at LRP. It was a good experience overall, but there were definitely signs of slack in the system (I posted a detailed review here at the time). Judging by the people attending, this was never going to be a pro-focused school; I was the only person with any competition driving experience at all. Most of their schools were for the casual enthusiast. Only the multi-day racing and advanced car control schools seemed to be aimed at the aspiring pro.

As Woody said, there were always significant discounts to be had. This suggests that the casual enthusiasts were not willing to pony up the full price tag in sufficient numbers to fill the classes. There will never be enough serious racers to support the program, so the one-day schools for non-racers are probably the key to financial success (or failure).

Bankruptcy doesn't mean they won't be offering services. It means they are restructuring their debt structure.

The announcement (by itself) doesn't mean consumers will loose their deposits.

Tom_Spangler wrote:

FlightService wrote: things like this make me worry about our passion

It will always be there, but it might not be big enough to support dedicated businesses like Skippy, unfortunately.

I think the opposite is true. Skippy and Bertl Roos and the like are very expensive, complete programs that have something to offer but at the price point they operate at - it's a tough sell to people who are not invested in racing open wheelers right away that can afford a few thousand dollars in one go. A beginner can't possibly go from never-ever to competent in a day or three so it's for experienced drivers who want to up the game and go racing NOW or CEO type tourists who want to play race car driver for a weekend.

But, the clubs that offer training have really upped their game and put together comprehensive programs at a much lower cost that is also more progressive and approachable to the beginner. BMW, PCA, NASA... all have put efforts into certifying instructors, tracking progress and increasing the depth of the advanced programs. They compete with each other - and the more "elite" racing only programs for students. And... when I needed racecraft after a season of struggles - I hired a pro coach for 1:1 training and took him to a $400 open track weekend. So... where does a dedicated racing school fit in these days?

Competition is tough too. There are a lot more choices for the budding racer or enthusiast than there were just 5 or 10 years ago. 20 years ago I had to pre-register for an HPDE by post date and hope I got in because there were only a handful and they filled up quick. Today... I can go to three or four different choices in a 500 mile radius on almost any given day. As an instructor... my inbox is full of schools begging for help every weekend so they can take more students and make more money. THere was a time where Skippy and Bertl were on my radar because there was nothing else. NOt even slightly true these days.

When everyone can go to the track at any time for $200-500 nearby in their own car, or a race school, or hire a pro coach how many are going to fly to the track far away for $2-5k?

02Pilot wrote: I did the Skip Barber one-day formula racing school two summers ago at LRP. It was a good experience overall, but there were definitely signs of slack in the system (I posted a detailed review here at the time). Judging by the people attending, this was never going to be a pro-focused school; I was the only person with any competition driving experience at all. Most of their schools were for the casual enthusiast. Only the multi-day racing and advanced car control schools seemed to be aimed at the aspiring pro. As Woody said, there were always significant discounts to be had. This suggests that the casual enthusiasts were not willing to pony up the full price tag in sufficient numbers to fill the classes. There will never be enough serious racers to support the program, so the one-day schools for non-racers are probably the key to financial success (or failure).

How could ANY 1 day school be "pro-focused?"

I am sure inefficiency, competition, customer service and the decline of racing have all played a role, but I read a article this week of the new driving school is considered "Crap Car Racing".

Well, I can cross another item from my bucket list. First it was date Megan Fox, now this!

pinchvalve wrote: Well, I can cross another item from my bucket list.

Plenty of other race schools out there.

trigun7469 wrote: I am sure inefficiency, competition, customer service and the decline of racing have all played a role, but I read a article this week of the new driving school is considered "Crap Car Racing".

Hey, I take my crappy driving seriously. That's why I'm a graduate.