Skip Barber: A Life Driven by Passion

By Emily Soell

From the Spring 2026 Edition of our Curtain Up Newsletter

“Did you always know you wanted to be a race car driver…” I ask Skip Barber over coffee at J.P. Gifford’s. “… from the time you were a little kid?”

“Yes,” he said. “I don’t ever remember not wanting to race.”

A Family Legacy

Skip Barber comes from a driving family. His grandfather bought a Ford Dealershipfrom Henry Ford, himself. His father -- a farmer and tractor dealer with a reverence for automobiles - put his son behind the wheel of one of his tractors as soon as he could see over the steering wheel. It was the year Skip turned 11.

First Experiences 

At 16, Skip’s father bought an MG and let him drive it with one strict rule: Skip could not drive on the road. However, behind their suburban home was a long alley, and Skip spent countless nights racing from one end to the other. With no room to turn around, he became adept at reversing, joking that he might have been the best “back up driver” on the planet.

The First Race

At age 21—the earliest age he could participate—Skip applied for a spot in a race sponsored by the Sports Car Club of America. Before competing, the organizers required him to take a weekend course at a driving school. The race included a few other students, but mainly professional drivers.  Said Skip to me, humbly, “I won.” 

I was agog and effusive.  “You won...against professional drivers?? Your first race!! How exciting was that??” 

“Yeah,” Skip said quietly, looking down at his sweet roll. “I won a lot.” He didn’t elaborate.

A Record of Success

Skip’s understated claim that he “won a lot” belies his extraordinary record. He earned three consecutive Formula Ford National Championships—a feat unmatched until recently. He raced in prestigious events: the Monaco Grand Prix, Dutch Grand Prix, U.S. Grand Prix, Canadian Grand Prix, as well as the U.S. Formula 5000 series and the U.S. Road Racing Championship, finishing third in the latter.

Teaching Others to Race

Skip’s modesty led him to believe others, with proper coaching, could do what he did. He viewed racing as teachable. In 1975 he founded the Skip Barber Racing School. While many racing schools existed, two decisions distinguished his: he secured premier sponsors—BMW and Porsche—and he expanded the curriculum to appeal not only to aspiring professionals but also to enthusiasts. The school operated across the U.S. and Europe, unlike others limited to single venues.

Skip disliked teaching, so he hired the best instructors in car racing. Many of their students became legends, including Ryan Hunter-Reay, Juan Pablo Montoya, Danica Patrick, Michael Andretti, and Paul Newman.

“I discovered I was a decent businessman,” he admits.

Skip’s passion for motorsports endured. In 1983, he helped purchase Lime Rock Park, becoming its sole owner and operator for 37 years.

Honors Abound

Skip and I have been friends for years. But I had to resort to Google to be able to enumerate the honors he has received. Inductions into the Motorsports Hall of Fame, and the SCCA Hall of Fame. Celebration of Skip Barber Day. The Year of Skip Barber celebration and the unveiling of the Skip Barber Tower all at Lime Rock Park.

And Now -- The Playhouse Adds an Honor

When David Sims, then Board President, invited Skip to join the board, Skip hesitated, citing his lack of theater knowledge. David assured him, “I don’t want someone who knows theater. I want someone who knows how to run a business.”

From that day to the present, Skip has been an untiring champion of the Performing Arts in general and the Sharon Playhouse in particular. As Board Treasurer, he played a crucial role in navigating the organization through challenging financial periods and was key in reigniting the Moore Family’s support, which led to their generous annual grant for campus improvements. 

Skip takes immense pride in the Playhouse’s evolution over the years. He is especially enthusiastic about the YouthStage program, which offers young performers invaluable opportunities to learn the craft of theater and shine on our stage.

We are thrilled to be able to honor Skip at our Spotlight Gala on May 30. The tribute is so well deserved.