Skip Barber moving to Kent?

KENT — Skip Barber Racing School CEO Michael Culver emphasized that nothing is official yet, but he did confirm that the company is looking at relocating its offices and car shop  sometime during this year— possibly to Kent.

The school currently has its offices on Birch Street in Salisbury, where they have been since the early 1990s. The facility is behind the former Illinois Tool Works building, just off Route 41/44; that property is the site of the under-construction Lakeville Hose Company firehouse.

Culver said the company’s lease on the offices will come to an end this year.

“We love Connecticut, this state has been very good to us,â€� Culver said.  â€œWe’re looking at what our options might be. Right now there is no time frame for this. But if we move, we won’t be moving too far away.â€�

Culver would not divulge any further details on the move, but Kent First Selectman Bruce Adams said the school is looking at several different areas throughout the Northwest Corner.

“Kent is one of the places that they are considering, but I think they will be looking at all options before making a decision,� Adams said. “Right now the school is looking at leasing a part of the fire department’s new building on Maple Street. This may not be resolved for several months.�

In the meantime, Culver said that the school will continue to hold classes and events at Lime Rock Park race track, which is in the Lime Rock section of Salisbury, off Route 112.

“We’re not going anywhere,� Culver said.

He added that the company is “virtual� with employees “all over� the area. Skip Barber has approximately 70 full-time employees; the number varies depending on the time of the year.

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