Category: Skip Barber Racing School

Ethan Booher, who made his Skip Barber Race Series debut last season, will return to the grid in 2025 for a full-season campaign. The 16-year-old starred in his opening race, earning a top-five finish in the competitive Champions class at Circuit of The Americas. He added another top-10 finish to cap off his inaugural weekend of competition.

Before arriving to the Skip Barber Racing School and Skip Barber Race Series, Booher competed in a variety of karting series including Rok Cup, SKUSA, and USPKS. He capped off his 2024 summer in the Skip Barber Race Series with a pair of top-10 results at VIRginia International Raceway.

Originally from Southern California, Booher was featured on eKartingNews’ “One to Watch” series. Throughout his time in karting, he raced as a development driver with GFC Karting.

“I’m thrilled to have Ethan competing with us next season,” Skip Barber Race Series director Ken Fukuda said. “He has shown all of the characteristics that we look for in drivers; a strong work ethic; a willingness to take guidance; and someone eager to improve. Ethan will be an excellent addition to our 2025 grid and I’m looking forward to what he will accomplish next year.”

As a competitor in the Skip Barber Race Series, Booher will have access to one-on-one guidance with the nation’s top racing instructors, benefit from multiple private coaching days, and have access to the Skip Barber Simulator Center in New York with full-motion SimCraft simulators.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Ethan competing in the 2025 Skip Barber Race Series,” said Dan DeMonte, Skip Barber Racing School’s chief marketing officer. “He possesses tremendous talent and I can’t wait to see him on track.”

For more information about competing in the Skip Barber Race Series, click here.

After tackling the longest race of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season, Skip Barber Racing is confident heading to Watkins Glen for the next weekend of an action-packed summer. Alongside the team’s full-season program in Michelin Pilot Challenge, Skip Barber Racing is bringing an entry in the new Mustang Challenge series, marking yet another expansion in 2024 for the team.

In Michelin Pilot Challenge, IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship winner Ken Fukuda and Will Lambros will share the team’s No. 16 Skip Barber Racing School Aston Martin Vantage GT4.

Longtime Skip Barber Racing School instructor Mike Stillwagon will pilot the No. 19 Skip Barber Racing School Ford Mustang Dark Horse R for the team’s debut in Mustang Challenge.

This weekend will serve as the home race for all three of Skip Barber Racing’s drivers with Fukuda hailing from Beacon, New York alongside Lambros and Stillwagon, both from Northport, New York.

Ken Fukuda, No. 16 Skip Barber Racing School Aston Martin Vantage GT4: “Everyone within Skip Barber Racing has been working very hard. I’m excited to get up to Watkins Glen and get back to work with the team. Everyone did a great job at Mid-Ohio, running a clean four hours on a tough track, now we’re ready to take on Watkins Glen!”

Will Lambros, No. 16 Skip Barber Racing School Aston Martin Vantage GT4: “It’s going to be a great weekend at Watkins Glen. I’ve got some family coming up from my home on Long Island and the team is riding some really good momentum from Mid-Ohio. The whole Skip Barber Racing outfit keeps getting better and better each race and I’m looking forward to getting on track.”

Mike Stillwagon, No. 19 Skip Barber Racing School Ford Mustang Dark Horse R: “I’m thrilled to be heading to Watkins Glen with Skip Barber Racing. The new Mustang Challenge series is one we have had circled since it was announced. I’ve raced many generations of Mustangs, and the Mustang Dark Horse R is another chapter that I, and the team at Skip Barber Racing, are eager to write together.”

Joe Monitto, Skip Barber Racing Team Manager: “With the momentum that the team has been building with the Aston Martin in Michelin Pilot Challenge and the new entry in Mustang Challenge with longtime Skip Barber Racing School instructor Mike Stillwagon, this weekend at Watkins Glen is already shaping up to be a good one. We’ve got a great group of guys who have been building a steady connection and we’re ready for the weekend!”

With a sweep of the weekend at VIRginia International Raceway, Oliver Wheldon leaped to second in the 2024 Skip Barber Race Series standings. Wheldon has now won four straight races, beginning a summer surge for the Andretti Autosport Junior Development driver. Championship leader Dean Lambros, meanwhile, defended Wheldon’s charge up the standings with a pair of second place finishes to remain at the top of the table.

Wheldon’s victories didn’t come easily as he withstood challenges from Lambros, Ryan Giannetta, and Caleb Campbell in both races. In Race 1, the four drivers were packed together as they charged out of Oak Tree Corner and towards Turn 13. Using the draft, Wheldon moved to the outside of Giannetta and completed the pass for the win as the duo descended the hill toward Turn 15.

In the Master’s Class, Rob Tarlton broke his twin brother Thomas’ streak of wins and claimed victory on Saturday and Sunday while Robert Perlmutter, making his season debut, completed the class podium in both races.

This weekend at VIRginia International Raceway marked the maiden opportunity to experience the Skip Barber Racing School’s brand new corporate facility with state of the art classrooms, an open-air dining area that overlooks the maintenance floor, and more. It’s the first of two races at VIR this year, with the second slated for the season finale in September on VIR’s Grand Course.

Among the standout performers were Jack Mohrhardt, who matched his season-best finish of 7th with a strong run in Race 1, and Caleb Campbell whose pair of top-five finishes earned him his largest points haul, 56, of the season.

Skip Barber Racing’s Alex Garcia made his Formula car debut this weekend. The Toyota GR Cup North America and TC America powered by the Skip Barber Racing School driver finished 8th in both races. Garcia’s trend of Hard Charger Awards in sportscar translated to Formula cars as he passed five drivers in Race 1, the most of any driver throughout the weekend.

Another strong weekend from Alan Orzynski has the Mexican driver firmly in the conversation for a top-five finish in the overall championship with his pair of sixth-place finishes, building on the momentum from a top-five at Circuit of the Americas earlier in the season.

Griffin Yellin improved four positions in Race 2 to secure his second-best finish of the season with a strong seventh-place result. Yellin, Mohrhardt, and Thomas Nordquist are separated by just 12 points after eight races, setting up an intriguing battle for the trio as the Skip Barber Race Series prepares for its final six races.

A strong effort from Talley Fare helped the Georgian improve his fastest lap in every session. He was rewarded for those efforts with a top-ten finish in Race 1 where he passed two cars in the 12-lap sprint.

Since joining the series at COTA, Ethan Booher has been a consistent factor in the top ten and he proved that once more at VIR. Booher now has three top-ten finishes in four races.

The Skip Barber Race Series will travel to Road America on August 9 – 11 before visiting Lime Rock Park on August 21 – 22. The four races at those two tracks will be pivotal in determining who is in position to capture the 2024 Skip Barber Race Series crown when the series returns to VIR on September 18 – 19 for the season finale.

Skip Barber Racing successfully managed seven cars across three different series at Circuit of the Americas this weekend. Among the many accolades were a win and podium in TC America, a Hard Charger and top-ten finish in Toyota GR Cup North America, and a successful debut in GT4 America for Skip Barber Racing’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4.

 Marc Sharinn & Tyler Sharinn – No. 16 Skip Barber Racing School Aston Martin Vantage GT4

The No. 16 Skip Barber Racing School Aston Martin Vantage GT4 adorned the GT4 America colors for the series’ three-hour endurance race at Circuit of the Americas.

After training multiple days with instructors from the Skip Barber Racing School, the father-son duo of Marc and Tyler Sharinn made their debut with Skip Barber Racing, the school’s professional racing team.

The pair finished seventh in class and gained 11 spots over the course of the three-hour race, a stellar effort from Marc, Tyler, and the rest of the Skip Barber Racing crew.

Joe Monitto, Skip Barber Racing Team Manager: “It was great to have Marc and Tyler with us this weekend. As a family-owned and operated business ourselves, it’s always special when we can have a father-son duo in the car together. The two did a great job acclimating themselves into the series and we enjoyed every minute of the weekend.”

 Celso Neto – No. 22 Skip Barber Racing School Acura Integra Type S

It wouldn’t be a TC America weekend if there wasn’t a Celso Neto podium included.

A strong lap in Race 1 put Neto on the inside of the second row for Race 2, placing him in prime position to take the lead of the race as the field climbed the 133-foot rise into Turn One. After moving up to second, Neto took the lead of the race by the close of the opening lap.

The Brazilian demonstrated impressive defensive abilities as he held off a pair of competitors for the first twenty minutes of the race before claiming his third podium of the season.

To cap his weekend off, Celso was chosen as a finalist for the 2024-25 IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship. The previous winner, Ken Fukuda, is the Skip Barber Racing School’s Director of Racing Schools and Race Series.

Celso Neto: “We had a great Skip Barber Racing Acura this weekend. We had great pace,  and led the most laps enroute to a third-place finish. It was a great showing of evolution on the Acura, we were the most competitive we’ve been all year and the team showed great resilience.”

Joe Monitto, Skip Barber Racing Team Manager: “Celso and the team from Skip Barber Racing are continuing to grow our understanding of this new Acura Integra Type S and I believe the results are showing that growth. The expertise from the crew combined with Celso’s talent is a recipe for success and I know a win is not far away.”

Cooper Broll – No. 19 PiedParker Acura Integra Type S

After an impressive outing in Sebring, Broll had set the bar even higher for himself heading into Circuit of the Americas and he continued to raise that bar this weekend. Broll passed the most cars of any driver in Race 2 to secure his second top-five finish of the season, earning the Hard Charger Award to go with it.

Cooper Broll: “I started eighth and finished fifth, and I’m pumped to have won the Hard Charger Award for passing the most cars in my class! The car felt pretty good, and I had a blast out there. Big thanks to the amazing Skip Barber Racing team for their support. I’m looking forward to VIRginia International Raceway and the team’s home race.”

Joe Monitto, Skip Barber Racing Team Manager: “There is not much to say about Cooper that hasn’t already been said. Week-in and week-out he impresses the instructors and crew with his dedication to improving his race craft and we couldn’t be happier to see him grow.”

Alex Garcia – No. 14 Orlando Family Medical Toyota GR86 & No. 14 Orlando Family Medical Honda Civic Si FE1

Alex Garcia continues to make double duty look easy with another win TC America coupled with his third Hard Charger Award of the season in Toyota GR Cup North America. To add to the accolades, Garcia snagged a second-place finish in Race 1 of the TC America weekend and a top-ten finish in GR Cup on Saturday.

The fifteen positions Garcia gained in Race 1 were seven more than the next-best driver, leaving the Hard Charger Award in no doubt.

Alex Garcia: “It was a tough start to the weekend in GR Cup after qualifying twenty-fifth due to a track limits violation, but we rebounded to finish tenth by the end of the race securing another solid finish and Hard Charger Award. On Sunday, we made some adjustments and felt strong out there and got the win in TC America powered by the Skip Barber Racing School. I’m very excited with how this weekend went and the progress Skip Barber Racing and I are making together.”

Joe Monitto, Skip Barber Racing Team Manager: “Some drivers might let a poor qualifying get into their heads but not Alex. To put that aside, strap back in, get to work, and make 15 passes in a spec-series is something he should be incredibly proud of, I know the whole Skip Barber Racing outfit is proud of him. Alex is driving on another level right now and the next round at VIR cannot come soon enough.”

James Klimas – No. 61 Middletown Toyota GR86

It was another weekend of progress and development for series rookie James Klimas. The Connecticut-based driver has continued to make strides in his race craft with the support of the instructors from the Skip Barber Racing School.

James gained five spots in Race 1, equaling his season-high for passes made in a race. His pace improved as the weekend went on, evidenced by his personal best lap time in Sunday’s qualifying session prior to Race 2.

James Klimas: “We had a good first race on Saturday going back and forth with another driver and came out on top of that fight and placed twenty-fourth. I ran a personal best lap in Q2 on Sunday and was feeling really good by the time the weekend ended. Thank you to the instructors and crew at Skip Barber Racing, I can’t wait to be back out there with them.”

Joe Monitto, Skip Barber Racing Team Manager: “Everyone with Skip Barber Racing has rallied behind James this season. He’s kept the car clean, which in a series like GR Cup is no easy task and focused on his personal development as a racer. We’ve loved everything we’ve seen from him so far and I firmly believe he will be a regular top-twenty finisher by the end of the summer.”

Will Lambros – No. 77 Skip Barber Racing School Toyota GR86

Will Lambros left Circuit of the Americas with a pair of sixteenth place finishes to his name having spent both 45-minute races mired in the often-chaotic mid-field. Like his teammate Klimas, however, Lambros brought the No. 77 Skip Barber Racing School Toyota GR86 back home without a scratch.

Will Lambros: “It was another great weekend with Skip Barber Racing. I cannot thank the team enough for their efforts in preparing the car and for their work during the weekend. It was also great to be back at Circuit of the Americas, where we won last year in TC America powered by the Skip Barber Racing School. A solid weekend and certainly one we can use to build momentum off of.”

Joe Monitto, Skip Barber Racing Team Manager: “It’s always a pleasure to have Will in the car. He has been a cornerstone of Skip Barber Racing and brings an infectious and positive attitude to the track which radiates through the team.”

Skip Barber Racing left Sebring International Raceway with one win, a podium finish, and multiple drivers setting new season-best finishes in TC America powered by the Skip Barber Racing School and Toyota GR Cup North America.

Celso Neto – No. 22 Skip Barber Racing School Acura Integra Type S

Celso Neto was one of the dominant players in TC America powered by the Skip Barber Racing School from the moment the No. 22 Skip Barber Racing School Acura Integra Type S rolled off the truck. The Brazilian was the quickest Acura in the TCX field for both practice sessions and qualifying. He proved the early week pace was no fluke with a strong podium finish in Race 1.

From the opening of the weekend to the end of Race 2, Neto was never lower than fourth in any of the TC America powered by the Skip Barber Racing School sessions.

“Overall Sebring was a tough, but solid points haul for us in the TCX championship,” Neto said. “We struggled for long run pace in Race 1 but that was counteracted by great single lap pace, and we were able to finish on the podium. With this in mind, the team did a great job to improve the car for Race 2, where we were able to fight for the win. I’m looking forward to Circuit of the Americas up next where we will keep building this brand-new package and continue to improve the car.”

Cooper Broll – No. 19 PiedParker Acura Integra Type S

Cooper’s development as a driver continues to impress the instructors at the Skip Barber Racing School. From having never driven a race car, to competing for wins at Sebring International Raceway, Broll’s rapid progression is a testament to his commitment to the Skip Barber Racing School philosophy.

“I pushed hard and drove my heart out,” Broll said. “I did some of the best driving I’ve ever done, and I did it at a track I had never driven before qualifying on Saturday.”

Broll was in contention for his maiden TC America powered by the Skip Barber Racing School podium for much of Race 2 as he battled a trio of competitors. By the end of the weekend, Broll had collected a pair of sixth-place finishes but had demonstrated tremendous racecraft development.

“The development we have seen from Cooper has been nothing short of remarkable,” Skip Barber Racing Team Manager Joe Monitto said. “The team is incredibly proud of what has been able to achieve and what he will undoubtedly achieve this season.”

Alex Garcia – No. 14 Orlando Family Medical Toyota GR86 & No. 14 Orlando Family Medical Honda Civic Si FE1

It was a picture-perfect weekend for Alex Garcia, who in one weekend; graduated college, took home a maiden win in his TC America debut and scored his season-best finish in Toyota GR Cup North America.

Garcia’s weekend began with a photoshoot in cap and gown on Sebring’s iconic main straight away and ended with a diploma, and a trophy, joining the cabinet display.

In Race 2, Garcia passed three drivers to take command of the TCA class at the start of the race and quickly made off into the distance, crossing the line at the conclusion of the 40-minute race nearly one minute ahead of the third-place competitor.

Prior to his dominant showing in TC America, Garcia earned his second Toyota GR Cup North America Hard Charger Award of the season after passing 15 cars in Race 1. He followed this up with his season-best finish of sixth in Race 2, capping off a weekend of milestones for the No. 14 Orlando Family Medical Toyota GR86.

“I had a blast driving the TCA car while taking home first place,” Garcia said. “I’m very excited for what’s in store for the future with this TCA entry and I’m hoping to bring home some more trophies. Lastly, I can’t thank the Skip Barber Racing team enough for their outstanding efforts.”

“Since joining the ranks of Skip Barber Racing, we have been continuously impressed by the talent that Alex has demonstrated,” Monitto said. “To win in TCA on his debut is proof of what Alex is capable and we cannot wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the year.”

James Klimas – No. 61 Middletown Toyota GR86

Just as his fellow Skip Barber Racing teammate did, Klimas laid down his career-best Toyota GR Cup North America finish in Race 2 at Sebring International Raceway. After passing five cars, Klimas crossed the line in 19^th, an outstanding result for the rookie in the nearly-30 car grid.

“I’m really happy with both my performance in Sebring and the team’s performance and dedication to my overall success,” Klimas said. “Being my third race ever I’m happy to be in the mix battling for positions on the track. I’m looking forward to Circuit of the Americas and setting another career-best finish with the support of the team from Skip Barber Racing.”

“Few people are able to progress as fast as James has at the start of this season,” Monitto said. “For someone with no racing experience prior to this season to be in the mix in the packed Toyota GR Cup grid is a testament to James’ commitment to the sport.”

Will Lambros – No. 77 Skip Barber Racing School Toyota GR86

Will Lambros opened the weekend’s festivities by scoring his third-consecutive top-twenty finish in the No. 77 Skip Barber Racing School Toyota GR86.

“Sebring went well,” Lambros said. “The team and I have been messing around a lot with different suspension settings in the Toyota GR86 which I enjoy doing. We’re still trying to find a sweet spot, but we are making progress and going in the right direction.”

Up next, Lambros will return to Circuit of the Americas, where he was previously victorious in the TCA class of TC America powered by the Skip Barber Racing School.

“Will is one of the most versatile drivers to come through the ranks of the Skip Barber Racing School and Skip Barber Racing and it’s no surprise that his capabilities have translated to this season’s Toyota GR Cup effort,” Monitto said.

 

James Klimas will join the Skip Barber Racing program for the 2024 Toyota GR Cup North America season, piloting the No. 61 Middletown Toyota Toyota GR86.

Klimas made his debut with Skip Barber Racing last season with an outing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This season, he will be with the team for all 14 rounds of the championship. Toyota has been a part of the Klimas’ DNA for decades as his family has owned and operated the Middletown Toyota dealership in Connecticut since 1975, coincidentally the same state and the same year that the Skip Barber Racing School was founded.

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“Since I’m from Connecticut, I’ve always known and heard of the Skip Barber name since they were originally located at Lime Rock Park,” Klimas said. “Naturally, I contacted them to enroll in their racing school. Coming from a family business, I felt right at home, even more, when I arrived at my first school at VIRginia International Raceway. I wanted to use a production GR86 since my goal was to compete in GR Cup.

“Everyone at the Skip Barber team was very supportive in making sure my car was safe to operate on a racetrack and with my specific needs due to my disability. I really felt like a part of their team, even during the beginning stages of my racing education. Because of Skip Barber’s professionalism and dedication, I already felt like a part of their team and family so naturally it felt right to ask them to support me for the GR Cup series.”

“We ran James at Indianapolis in his first-ever GR Cup race and it was nothing but an awesome experience getting to know him and watching him progress in the car,” Skip Barber Racing team manager Joe Monitto said, “Toyota’s development of the paddle-shifters combined with James’ perseverance gave us an unforgettable race last season. The entire team is excited to take what we learned last season and help James exceed his goals.”

Alex Garcia will drive the No. 14 Orlando Family Medical Toyota GR86 in GR Cup North America. The entry, prepared by Skip Barber Racing, is the second of multiple entries in GR Cup North America that Skip Barber Racing has planned for 2024.

Garcia scored a podium finish in GR Cup North America last year at VIRginia International Raceway. This year will be his first full season with Skip Barber Racing.

“I choose Skip Barber because of the commitment and support they have for their drivers,” Garcia said. “The energy and atmosphere of the team is always high, they are willing to help with anything you need and have amazing coaches that will lead you to be a successful racecar driver.

Going into this season, Garcia is hoping to learn as much as he can from the Skip Barber Racing School instructors, particularly in regard to analyzing data from the car.

“Alex had a great start in his first full season of racing in GR Cup, and we’re ready to expand that success in 2024,” Skip Barber Racing team manager Joe Monitto said. “Alex has been putting the work in throughout the winter to get faster in the car, and we believe the payoff is coming this season. We’ve spent time testing at Sonoma throughout the offseason and Alex is ready to tackle the new pavement!”