The Announcing the 14th Running of the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented By Mazda

Lakeville, Conn. (Feb. 3). Heading in to the 2011 race season, the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National presented by Mazda announces a revised schedule and series operation changes. Dedicated to the development of aspiring race car drivers, the Skip Barber National is an open wheel, entry-level, equal car championship that provides the athletes with media exposure, expert coaching, on-track experience, financial awards and motorsport scholarships.

Typically a seven double-header race weekend season, the series will be adding on an eighth race weekend, giving drivers sixteen races to battle for the championship. The 2011 16-race season of the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda will kick off at Sebring International Raceway, joining the festivities of the legendary 12 Hours of Sebring. From there, the young racers will compete on some of America's best road courses: Virginia International Raceway, Lime Rock Park, Road America, Road Atlanta, and Autobahn Country Club.

Events at Virginia International Raceway, Road America, Road Atlanta, Autobahn Country Club and Lime Rock Park will be in conjunction with the Skip Barber Regional Race Series. This not only guarantees the young drivers more race time, but allows the option for them to pick up additional seat time through lapping days and other on track activities. Drivers will also be able to receive even more coaching and feedback, as more Skip Barber Racing School instructors will be at these events. With the addition of the extra race weekend, drivers will now be able to drop their two worst finishing races from their championship points.

2011 BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda schedule

Rounds 1 & 2: March 16-18 at the 12 Hours of Sebring with ALMS
Rounds 3 & 4: April 29-May 1 at Virginia International Raceway with Skip Barber Regional Series
Rounds 5 & 6: May 27-30 at Lime Rock Park with GRAND-AM
Rounds 7 & 8: July 1-3 at Road America with Skip Barber Regional Series
Rounds 9 & 10: July 21-23 at Road Atlanta with Skip Barber Regional Series
Rounds 11 & 12: August 11-13 at Lime Rock Park with Skip Barber Regional Series
Rounds 13 & 14: September 9-11 at Autobahn with Skip Barber Regional Series
Rounds 15 & 16: Oct 6-8 at Lime Rock Park with Skip Barber Regional Series

Consistently offering the highest value in motorsports, each race weekend with the Skip Barber Regional Series will save each competitor $1,600, racing for only $5,399 per weekend. The two major events at the 12 Hour of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway and at Lime Rock Park with GRAND-AM will maintain the Skip Barber National Series price of $6,999.

Competing alongside the younger drivers of the Skip Baber National will be the drivers of the Skip Barber Cup Championship: a separate class comprising of drivers older than 26 years of age competing for a separate championship and prize fund.

As an integral step in the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder, the Skip Barber National Champion will receive a scholarship to complete in a full season of the 2012 Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda. The winner of the USF2000 Championship then receives scholarships to compete in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, a part of the Mazda Road to Indy. The Skip Barber National is the series that launched the auto racing careers of Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, Scott Speed, A.J. Allmendinger, Raphael Matos and many more. The top 10 drivers in the Skip Barber National Series point standings will also receive prizes and awards to aid in the development of their motorsports careers.