University of VARA

This February 7th and 8th, VARA is having its annual season opener event, VARA – U. This well run and well attended event has even been attended by, and written about in, Grassroot Motorsports Magazine. The two day school is held at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, located outside of Bakersfield, CA. The curriculum includes classroom and skid pad sessions, and lots of track instruction in cornering, braking, passing, and starting. This weekend school is the starting point to earn a VARA Competition Racing License. Students provide their own cars, and street cars are allowed if you don’t have a race car yet, as long as they meet VARA’s safety regulations. Race prepped Toyota Long Beach GP celebrity cars are available for rent through Danny McKeever’s Fast Lane group at (888)948-4888. Entry fee is $275, which includes a VARA weekend membership fee. Currently licensed VARA members will be able to use this weekend as a Test & Tune for a fee of $150. Questions about this event are being handled by Chief Driving Instructor John Wilkins at varainstructor@race-dogs.com , or the VARA office at (800)280-8272.

This is a terrific and affordable way to get involved in vintage racing. Out west, VARA is known for its clean and competitive race series.  The members, instructors, and organizers of this club are some of the nicest people I’ve ever shared the pits with. If you’re looking to get started, be sure to put this event on your calendar.