Story & Photos by Ben Kuhl
Have you ever found yourself enjoying your preferred brand of motorsports and wondered to yourself what it might take to achieve the heights of our racing hero’s feats? While it’s very unlikely that any of us mere mortals will get to walk the vaunted paths of legendary wheelmen the likes of a Nigel Mansell, Dan Gurney, Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti, Jeff Gordon, Allan McNish or Jackie Stewart, today’s real-life racing challenges for us regular folk can be experienced in vintage auto racing – an option fully available for all of us to pursue. But how can we start? And where can we experience our race-driving passions?
In the heart of Southern California, amidst the sprawling farmlands west of Bakersfield, lies a racetrack that once-a-year hosts an event which not only fuels the passion for high-performance driving but also serves as a gateway to the thrilling world of motorsports. Here, the Vintage Auto Racing Association (VARA) hosts its first racing event of each year, which ironically is a venue where no lap times are kept, no single winner is crowned, and the objective is not to be the fastest when the checkered flag flies but to feel the mechanisms of a car at speed in the perfect blend of theoretical and practical application. The event is called “University of VARA.” The place: Buttonwillow Raceway Park.
Kicking off a full weekend of on-track experiences, University of VARA sees students rounded-up into groups that are based on prior sport driving or racing experiences, with all eyes looking for the green flag. Using their personally-owned car types, ranging from race-savvy drivers such as Kevin Capone in his race-ready Apache Sports 200 to Steven Booth in his road going BMW 128i, one-by-one drivers are dispatched onto the twists, bends and straightaways of Buttonwillow Raceway. While some, like Steven, may be newer to the track than Mr. Capone, each is in an equal position to learn the key fundamentals of car control and confidence, while having plenty of fun turning laps around an authentic road racing circuit. And for those who wish to drive a more racy car than their own vehicle, fully race-prepared Toyota sedans can be rented on-site from Fast Lane Racing School.
As the day moves forward, students alternate between on-track driving and “ground school” classroom training, learning the fundamentals of car control, what and where the “racing line” is and how to find the “apex” of a corner reliably. All of this is taught from certified driving instructors with years of professional level racing experience who have a passion for imparting their knowhow to eager learners. Mix that with a slew of drills, including slalom and skid pad practice and it’s time to hit the track to make it all happen in real-time.
What sets the University of VARA apart is its accessibility. Unlike exclusive racing schools tailored only for seasoned professionals or those with deep pockets, this event welcomes everyone – from individuals with street cars just looking to become more confident drivers to those with meticulously race-prepared machines looking to truly start their own journeys into the world of racing. This inclusivity not only democratizes the sport but also fosters a diverse community of enthusiasts united by their love for speed and precision.
At its core, the University of VARA is more than just a high-performance driving event; it’s an advanced driving seminar for sport driving enthusiasts, as well as a stepping-stone for aspiring racers. For those yearning to embrace the driver’s seat and taste the adrenaline rush of the racetrack, this event provides the ideal platform. With a blend of on-track sessions and classroom experiences, participants receive a comprehensive education in the art and science of real performance driving and actual racing. A strong cast of VARA volunteers provide in-class and in-car instruction, with every student paired with a personal teacher to aid in learning the foundational blocks of safe and speedy on-track driving. From mastering track skills to understanding vehicle dynamics, every aspect is meticulously covered, ensuring that novices evolve into confident drivers able to tackle the challenges of performance driving and competitive racing.
With the focus on learning and growth in driving ability over pace and who finishes first, VARA University ’24 brought pleasure to driving instructors who saw students like Formula Ford driver Jason Wolpert gain knowledge of his car both inside and out of the cockpit, and Stan Teliczan in his small but mighty Datsun 1200 street car, who experienced the thrill of leading a field of speeding cars to the green flag. In the street-car run groups, we instructors saw their everyday driving abilities put to the test as students young and old had the chance to learn how to become safe and able drivers.
At the end of the day, the University of VARA exemplifies the spirit of camaraderie and learning that defines the vintage racing community in Southern California that VARA has fostered for 51 years. Beyond the pursuit of victory, it celebrates the journey – the moments of triumph, the setbacks overcome and learned from, and the bonds forged on the asphalt.
As we reflect on the exhilarating days spent at Buttonwillow Raceway, one thing becomes abundantly clear – the University of VARA isn’t just about racing: it’s about igniting the racing passion in all of us, regardless of our backgrounds or experience levels. It’s about embracing the thrill of the track, the joy of learning and the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts. So, to all those yearning to experience the rush of the racetrack, I say this: enroll in the University of VARA in the coming years, and let the journey begin!
