VIR-Based School Becomes The New Fast Track to SVRA Competition & Super Licenses
The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) announced today that Formula Experiences is now the “Official Driving School of SVRA.” Formula Experiences is based at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) and provides experiential instruction and driving experiences for novices to advanced race drivers seeking licenses as well as corporations that want to offer unforgettable and thrilling experiences for their clients and employees.
“Formula Experiences is a world-class operation and our partnership provides aspiring vintage racers with a direct path to pursue their wheel-to-wheel competition goals,” said Tony Parella, SVRA president and CEO. “You don’t even have to own a car. Packages come with state-of-the-art racing machines. This agreement enables us to deliver a turnkey solution for drivers seeking a competition or an advanced super license to drive ultra-fast Group 9 and Group 11 formula and prototype racers.”
Formula Experiences provides on-track and classroom instruction with professional race drivers, top-of-the-line simulators, and lots of time at the wheel. Students have access to professional racing engineers who collect data and debrief with each driver. NASCAR and Indy 500 drivers such as Ward and Jeb Burton, Al Unser, Jr., and Willy T. Ribbs made extensive use of the simulators in preparation for the September 22 charity pro-am at VIR. For Unser and Ribbs, it was their first trip to VIR. Both pronounced the track to be an outstanding racer’s course.
“Everyone at Formula Experiences is excited to enter this relationship,” said Peter Heffring, Formula Experiences CEO. “SVRA truly is the premier vintage racing series in America and we are delighted to partner with them as we both grow and expand. Our licensing school is designed for everyone with options to bring your own car, rent a track-prepped sportscar, or rent a modern downforce racecar.”
Formula Experiences is the only formula and prototype driving and riding opportunity in America and uses modern downforce racecars to create the closest Formula One or IndyCar experience anywhere. Located at VIRginia International Raceway, near the Virginia/North Carolina border, it offers the world’s only ultimate driving experiences set at a resort, including options to add trackside accommodations, gourmet dining and additional activities ranging from shooting sports, karting, autocross, and a day spa. Formula Experiences is the ultimate all-inclusive extreme speed racecar driving experience at VIR to enjoy on your own, with friends, or corporate retreats and entertaining. Learn more at formulaexperiences.com or YouTube.
With this announcement, SVRA extends a string of agreements over the past year. Other top-brand companies to renew their contracts or join the list of sponsors include Jaguar, Land Rover, Merrill Lynch, NetJets, Sunoco, and Mazda. Company officials report consistent annual triple-digit growth since 2012. SVRA has rapidly expanded from a regional series largely concentrated in the southeastern United States to one that spans the continent at most of America’s top race courses. These include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, COTA, Watkins Glen, Sebring, VIR, and Road America.