Skip Barber Launches Superbike School

The Skip Barber Superbike School Powered by KTM will debut in 2009 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., the home of the U.S. Grand Prix and one of five national locations for Skip Barbers automotive program offerings. The two-day program will feature the new KTM RC8 1190 motorcycle, and it will be the only Superbike school in the United States to feature such large displacement machines.

A number of factors make this new school unique, says George Ayres, Skip Barber president and chief operating officer. First, the KTM line of motorcycles that will be provided will include the new 1190 RC8, 990 Super Duke and the 690 Duke motorcycles, meaning we have the right equipment for virtually any student. Second, are the Skip Barber instructors who will bring to this program more than 30 years of experience teaching enthusiasts about dynamics, control and speed. Finally, there is the track itself. Skip Barber conducts more than 100 programs a year at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. We know this track very well and feel it is the ideal facility for students to develop the skills and confidence to not only lower their lap times but improve their everyday street riding skills. And with more riders returning to motorcycling or just beginning, we feel we can help riders of all experience levels.

The partnership will help Austria-based KTM increase its profile in the United States.

Ayres says that school attendees will be able to use their own safety equipment or rent all necessary items at the track through Skip Barber. Damage liability insurance will also be offered, minimizing the costs to any rider for a mishap. Top-level assistance will be provided by Mazda Raceways safety team.

Monterey County Parks is excited about the opportunity for the Skip Barber Racing School to partner with KTM to bring a first-class motorcycle school to the Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca, says John Pinio, director of parks for the County of Monterey. This is another example of the collaboration of Monterey County Parks, SCRAMP, Skip Barber and Mazda of not only providing top quality motor sports at our facility, but another way to generate a positive economic impact for our local community.

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2008 KTM RC8 1190 Review