The Skip Barber Racing School announced today that Brazilian native Celso Neto will join the Skip Barber TC America Race Team for the 2023 season. Neto will pilot the Skip Barber HPD Civic Type-R competing in the TC class. Celso’s first race with The Skip Barber Race Team will be at iconic Sonoma Raceway on March 30.
The 18-year-old Brazilian has experience in karting, Brazilian Touring Car Championship, Stock Car Light, and Turismo 1.4. In 2020, at 15, Celso transitioned from karts to cars. In 2021 he became the youngest-ever podium finisher in the Brazilian Touring Car Championship and was crowned the Mid-West Cup Touring Champion. In 2022 he debuted in the Stock Car Light series achieving the best rookie award with two top-five finishes in three races. Neto moved to the United States mid-season to join the SRO TC America Series, where he secured two podiums and four Top-5 finishes.
“I’m very happy and grateful to race for the Skip Barber Race Team in 2023 and hope to build off a strong end of year we had last season,” said Neto. “I want to thank my sponsors and everyone at Skip Barber Racing School for such a great opportunity. Skip Barber has dominated TC America racing for the past few years and I hope that together we can continue this and achieve our end goal, win races and the 2023 TC championship!”
“Since 1975, the Skip Barber Racing School has taken great drivers and made them champions. We are proud to have Celso join our TC America program and continue that legacy,” said Joe Monitto, Chief Revenue Officer of Skip Barber. “We believe his talent matched with our top-tier team and world-class coaching, will lead us to our third consecutive TC championship this year.”
The Skip Barber Racing Team is entering its third season and has claimed the two TC championships. Last season, the Team scored 13 victories and over 25 podium finishes.
Skip Barber graduates have distinguished themselves with podium finishes in every major racing series, including IMSA, Formula 1, INDYCAR, NASCAR, and SRO. When the green flag drops on the 2023 Daytona 500, twenty-two drivers will have something very much in common. They are all Skip Barber Racing School alumni.
Follow along with the Skip Barber Racing School throughout the entire season on Facebook and Instagram (@skipbarberracing), and don’t miss the live race broadcasts on the Skip Barber Racing School Facebook page. Stay up to date with the newest driver for the Skip Barber Race Team on his Instagram (@cneto_racing).