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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Skip Barber Racing School Establishes Halifax County, Virginia, Operations

11/23/2022
Skip Barber Racing School, the world's largest automotive education and entertainment company, will establish a performance driving school at the “VIRginia” International Raceway in Halifax County, Virginia. The $8.9 million project is expected to create 24 jobs.

VIR will construct a 25,000-square-foot facility within the Motorsport Technology Park to lease to Skip Barber Racing School.

“Our relationship with Virginia started with “VIRginia” International Raceway. The more our team worked with Connie Nyholm and VIR, the more apparent it was that Virginia and Halifax Country would be the ideal location for our new headquarters,” said Anthony DeMonte, CEO of Skip Barber. “The support the Governor’s office and Halifax County provide to motorsports businesses and the automotive industry is second to none.”

The Governor’s office approved a $100,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Halifax County with the project.

“We want to thank both the Governor’s office and Halifax County for working so diligently with us to secure an opportunity for the Skip Barber Racing School to relocate their home to the VIRginia Motorsport Technology Park,” noted Connie Nyholm, CEO and Co-Owner of VIR. “Motorsport runs deep in Southern Virginia and this will add further depth to our already robust network of motorsport businesses here on-site and in Halifax County.”

The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission has approved a grant for $32,500 from the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“’VIRginia’ International Raceway is a perfect fit for Skip Barber Racing School, offering a world-class racing facility that attracts the best in the industry and higher education partnerships to supply a skilled workforce pipeline for the future,” added Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “Leading companies are taking note of the Commonwealth’s advantages and joining the ranks, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome Skip Barber to Halifax County and Southern Virginia.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Halifax County, the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority, and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance to secure the project.

“Skip Barber Racing School operates at the intersection of technology and motorsports, driving a high-quality experience for training and entertainment,” said Linda Green, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance. “VIRginia International Raceway has expanded the impacts of racing and tourism by constantly implementing automotive technology, advancing innovative solutions for industry while taking racing to a level that impacts the economic vitality of the region and maintains VIR’s ranking as one of the best tracks in the nation. This partnership will be a winning combination for Halifax County and the Skip Barber team that is known around the world.”

Skip Barber Racing School is an automotive education and entertainment company offering driving and racing schools throughout America. The company operates the Skip Barber Formula Race Series, field championship-winning race teams in TC America, creates innovative OEM programs that elevate the finest automotive marques, and produces corporate programs that build teamwork and recognize outstanding achievement.

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