Skip Barber

Skip Barber had three successful careers in auto racing. He was a champion race car driver, he founded & operated one of America’s top racing schools and for 37 years he owned & operated Lime Rock Park.

Barber began racing while attending Harvard University, where he earned a degree in English. He would go on to drive a variety of different machinery during the 1960’s and 1970’s. His accolades behind the wheel include win 3 SCCA Championships and 32 different lap records. He also ran 6 Formula 1 races in the early 1970’s.

Barber believed the skills to become a successful racer could be taught, so in 1975 he formed the Skip Barber Racing School. It started with four students and a pair of borrowed Formula Fords and grew into one of the premiere racing schools in the country. Over 400,000 racing school students have become racers and champions, with many finding success at the highest levels of NASCAR, IndyCar, SCCA and IMSA. In 1999, Barber sold the school but its legacy continues and it still bears his name.

In 1983, Skip led a group of investors to purchase Lime Rock Park from Harry Theodoracopulous. He transformed the CT road course into one of the world’s premier racing destinations. The facility held a variety of events, including car club events, racing schools, track rentals and tons of road course racing. Eventually becoming the sole owner, Barber would sell the track in 2021 to a group of investors he thought would make great owners to continue the track’s success. He remains a shareholder and active member of track management.