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Barber Motorsports Park

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Barber Motorsports Park
Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
LocationBirmigham, Alabama, USA
Coordinates33°31′57″N 86°37′08″W / 33.53250°N 86.61889°W / 33.53250; -86.61889
FIA Grade2[1]
OwnerBarber Motorsports
OperatorZOOM Motorsports
Broke ground2002
Opened2003
ArchitectAlan Wilson
Major eventsCurrent:
IndyCar Series
Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
(2010–2019, 2021–present)
MotoAmerica
Championship of Alabama
(2015–present)
GT World Challenge America (2014–2016, 2024–present)
FR Americas (2019–2020, 2025–present)
Atlantic Championship (2021–2022, 2026)
Former:
Trans-Am Series (2025)
IMSA Prototype Challenge (2017–2018)
Rolex Sports Car Series
Porsche 250 (2003–2013)
AMA Superbike Championship
Championship of Alabama
(2003–2014)
Websitehttps://barberracingevents.com
Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.380 mi (3.830 km)
Turns17
Race lap record1:06.8182 (Mexico Patricio O'Ward, Dallara IR-18, 2021, IndyCar)

Barber Motorsports Park is an 880-acre (360 ha) racing facility in Birmingham, Alabama. It was built by George W. Barber, and includes the 230,000-square-foot (21,000 m2) Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum.[2] It has been the site of the IndyCar Series' Grand Prix of Alabama since 2010.[3][4] The Annual Barber Vintage Festival has taken place at the park each October since 2005. Barber Motorsports Park is also the home of the Porsche Track Experience.[5]

Track

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Aerial view of the circuit

The track has hosted numerous motorsport races including the IndyCar Series, Grand-Am, Vintage Racing Series events, American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) racing, and MotoAmerica. It serves as the home of the Porsche Track Experience. It has hosted the Keith Code California Superbike School and the Yamaha Champions Riding School. Barber is noted for its landscaping and greenery; the track has been referred to as "The Augusta National of Motorsports".[6]

The IndyCar Series had tests at Barber in 2007 and 2009.[7][8]

The track had also been nominated by the FIA as the official test track for the now-closed down US F1 Team.[9]

Barber Proving Ground

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The 14 acres (5.7 ha) Barber Proving Ground opened in 2014 to serve as an additional test facility for the Barber Museum. The track and adjacent 150-foot-by-350-foot wet/dry skid pad are used for a variety of purposes, including defensive driver training, safety instruction, product debuts, and vehicle testing.

Located on the hill overlooking the proving ground is a two-level, 9,800 sq ft (910 m2) building that provides rental space for meetings, luncheons, product introductions, and seminars.

Two garage units totaling 16,800 sq ft (1,560 m2) also stand in the vicinity of the Barber Proving Grounds. The garages support the Porsche Track Experience, Mercedes-Benz USA Brand Immersion Program, promoters' events, and other programs in the park.

Vehicle off-road courses

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Vintage Motocross: Barber Motorsports Park has a 0.7 mi (1.1 km) vintage motocross course. The inaugural event on the motocross took place during the 11th Annual Barber Vintage Festival with AHRMA presenting vintage motorcycle racing. Other uses of the motocross include product introductions by off-road vehicle manufacturers.

Vehicle Off-Road Course: The vehicle off-road course consists of approximately seven miles of trails confined to a 50 acres (20 ha) site adjoining the Barber Proving Ground. It can be configured into different layouts and is also multi-directional. The trails have varying terrain and provide moderate-to-extreme elevation conditions. Natural features such as water, rock, and bridge crossings have been incorporated into the trail system.

Obstacle Course: Consisting of unique obstacles for off-road vehicles and ATVs, the obstacle course is a natural trail consisting of a loop with nine features. These features are a railroad crossing, a concrete course with potholes, a 45-degree off-camber trail, a 15-degree concrete slope with three sets of rollers, a switchback, a 150 ft (46 m) "rock crawl", an articulation, a water crossing with adjustable water level, and 20 ft (6.1 m) of concrete stairs that are 10 ft (3.0 m) wide. There is an observation deck bordering the obstacle course for people to view the course below.

Seasonal activities

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Garden club park tours take place at Barber Motorsports Park year-round and utilize an open-air tram and tour guide. The tour starts off in front of the Barber Museum. The garden tours contain the park's plant collections, such as the 17 cloned Hightower Willow Oaks, which only exist in two places other than Barber Motorsports Park.

Sculpture

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The infield of the track has a number of large sculptures, including a series of large steel spiders and dragonflies created by artist Bill Secunda, a pair of lions, and a sisyphean figure pushing a track bridge support. The Turns 5 & 6 complex is referred to as Charlotte's Web because of the presence of a large spider sculpture prominently placed in the infield near the turn and because it is one of the track's prime passing opportunities.[10]

Barber Motorsports Park features five large steel gates fabricated by Branko Medenica that bear motorsports and wildlife themes. A functional kinetic, wind-powered sculpture created by artist Edward Lee Hendricks is located nearby a pond along the track's perimeter road. Another art commission by Hendricks is located at the nearby Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. Standing in front of the Barber Museum are three stainless steel monuments by sculptor Theodore Gall, called The Chase. The Gall installation took over a year to create and collectively weighs close to five tons.

Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum

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Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum logo
Barber Museum, Birmingham, Alabama
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

George Barber had a serious interest in vintage motorcycles and recognized that there was no museum that reflects the history of motorcycles around the world.[11] He wanted to preserve motorcycle history in the United States in a way that represents an international aspect and to supply examples of motorcycles that until then could only have been seen in books and magazines.

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum began in 1988 as Barber's private collection.[12] However, in 1994, he established the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It opened to the public in its original Southside Birmingham, Alabama location in 1995 (31 years ago). In 1997 the Barber Museum sent 21 motorcycles to New York's Guggenheim Museum for exhibit in The Art of the Motorcycle; the exhibit also traveled to Chicago and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. After the success of The Art of the Motorcycle, Barber set out to create a unique facility complete with a track. In designing the complex, Barber consulted with world champion racers John Surtees and Dan Gurney. In 2003, the Barber Museum was relocated to its permanent home in Barber Motorsports Park.

The museum contains more than 1,600 vintage and modern motorcycles and racing cars. It is considered the largest motorcycle museum in the world,[13] as well as the largest collection of Lotus race cars.[14] The motorcycle collection includes bikes dating from 1904 to present production. More than 900 motorcycles are on display. They come from 16 countries and represent over 140 different marques from as far away from the US as Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden.

Motorcycle stack display in Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

Events

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Current
Former

Lap records

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As of May 2026, the fastest official race lap records on the Barber Motorsports Park are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present): 2.380 mi (3.830 km)
IndyCar1:06.8182Patricio O'WardDallara IR-182021 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
Indy NXT1:12.0646[15]Alessandro de TullioDallara IL-152026 Indy NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama
Indy Pro 20001:16.6098[16]Christian RasmussenTatuus PM-182021 Indy Pro 2000 Grand Prix of Barber Motorsports Park
Formula Atlantic1:18.095[17]Larry HowardSwift 016.a2022 Barber Atlantic Championship round
Formula Regional1:18.916[18]Linus LundqvistLigier JS F32020 Barber FR Americas round
DP1:20.044[19]Brendon HartleyRiley MkXXVI2013 Porsche 250
GT31:21.410[20]Philip EllisMercedes-AMG GT3 Evo2025 Barber GT World Challenge America round
LMP31:21.484[21]Yann ClairayLigier JS P32018 Barber IMSA Prototype Challenge round
US F20001:21.5837[22]Nolan SiegelTatuus USF-172021 Cooper Tires USF2000 Grand Prix of Barber Motorsports Park
Superbike1:22.463[23]Jake GagneYamaha YZF-R12023 Barber MotoAmerica round
Mazda Prototype Challenge1:22.754[24]Kyle MassonÉlan DP022017 Barber IMSA Prototype Challenge round
Porsche Carrera Cup1:23.775[25]Riley DickinsonPorsche 911 (992 I) GT3 Cup2023 Barber Porsche Sprint Challenge North America round
Stock 10001:24.334[26]Hayden Gillim [nl]Suzuki GSX-R10002024 Barber MotoAmerica round
Lamborghini Super Trofeo1:24.798[27]Richard AntinucciLamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2019 Barber Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America round
F2000 Championship1:25.197[28]Ayrton HoulkVan Diemen DP082022 Barber F2000 Championship round
Formula 41:25.579[29]Alex Popow Jr.Ligier JS F4222025 Barber F4 United States round
USF Juniors1:25.7635[30]Leonardo EscorpioniTatuus JR-232025 Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix
Supersport1:26.029[31]Josh HerrinDucati Panigale V22026 Barber MotoAmerica round
TA11:26.743[32]Adam AndrettiChevrolet Camaro Trans-Am2025 Barber Trans-Am round
TA21:26.850[33]Tristan McKeeChevrolet Camaro Trans-Am2025 Barber Trans-Am round
Grand-Am GT1:27.275[34]Bill Auberlen[35]BMW M3 (E92) GT2013 Porsche 250
GT1:27.857[36]Bill AuberlenBMW M3 (E46) GT2004 Porsche 250
Formula BMW1:28.224[37]Edoardo PiscopoMygale FB022005 Barber Formula BMW USA round
Twins Cup1:28.915[38]Hank VossbergAprilia RS6602026 Barber MotoAmerica round
GT41:29.191[39]Isaac ShermanPorsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport2024 Barber GT America round
F1600 Championship1:31.189[40]Jack SullivanPiper F16002022 Barber F1600 Championship round
Grand-Am GX1:31.630[34]Tom Long[41]Mazda6 GX2013 Porsche 250
Mustang Challenge1:32.987[42]Logan AdamsFord Mustang Dark Horse R2026 Barber Mustang Cup USA round
SGS1:33.633[36]Randy PobstPorsche 911 (996) GT3 Cup2004 Porsche 250
Toyota GR Cup1:37.304[43]Jeremy FletcherToyota GR862025 Barber Toyota GR Cup North America round
Mazda MX-5 Cup1:37.543[44]Westin WorkmanMazda MX-5 (ND)2025 Barber Mazda MX-5 Cup round
250cc1:39.628[45]Chris ClarkAprilia RS250SP22022 Barber North America Talent Cup round

Notes

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References

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  1. ↑ "LIST OF FIA LICENSED CIRCUITS UPDATED ON : 2026-03-31" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. March 31, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Barber Motorsports Museum". Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  3. ↑ Tomberlin, Michael (July 26, 2009). "Indy Car race coming to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama". The Birmingham News.
  4. ↑ "Welcome, Alabama". indycar.com. IndyCar Series. July 27, 2009. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Porsche Track Experience". www.porschedriving.com. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  6. ↑ Demmons, Doug (September 9, 2010). "Barber Motorsports Park announces title sponsor deal with Honda". Birmingham News. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Star drivers to test at Barber". The Birmingham News. October 2, 2007. Archived from the original on June 29, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Alabama track gets test-run from IndyCar drivers". International Herald Tribune. March 23, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  9. ↑ "US F1 car to make Alabama debut". autosport.com. Autosport. January 8, 2010. Archived from the original on January 11, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  10. ↑ Estrada, Chris (April 7, 2013). "What to watch for: IndyCar at Barber". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on April 9, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  11. ↑ Ric Anderson and Richard Backus. "Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
  12. ↑ "George's private collection". 1tail Resource Database. Retrieved September 29, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  13. ↑ "Barber's motorcycle museum now certified by Guinness as world's largest". MotorSportsTalk. April 27, 2014. Archived from the original on May 8, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  14. ↑ About Us[better source needed] Archived July 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Barber Museum website
  15. ↑ "2026 Indy NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama - Official Lap Report - Race 1" (PDF). March 28, 2026. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  16. ↑ "2021 Indy Pro 2000 Grand Prix of Alabama Race 2 Official Final Results" (PDF). April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  17. ↑ "FRP at Barber with Historics 2022 - Atlantic/F1000 Championship Series - Provisional Race 1 Results" (PDF). May 22, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  18. ↑ "2020 Barber Motorsports Park - Round 7 Official Race Result" (PDF). August 2, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  19. ↑ "2013 Barber Grand-Am". Motor Sport Magazine. April 6, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  20. ↑ "2025 GT World Challenge America Round 11 & 12 - Barber Motorsports Park - Race 1 Provisional Results (1 Hours 30 Minutes)" (PDF). September 6, 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  21. ↑ "2018 Grand Prix of Alabama - IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda - Race Official Results (1 Hour and 45 Minutes)" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  22. ↑ "2021 Cooper Tires USF2000 Grand Prix of Alabama Race 1 Result" (PDF). April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  23. ↑ "2023 MotoAmerica Superbikes at Alabama - Medallia Superbike - Race 2 Results" (PDF). May 21, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  24. ↑ "2017 Grand Prix of Alabama - IMSA Prototype Challenge presented by Mazda - Race 2 Official Results (45')" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  25. ↑ "2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge North America - Barber Motorsports Campus - GT3 Race 2 Results - Official". April 30, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  26. ↑ "2024 MotoAmerica Superbikes at Barber - Stock 1000 - Race 1 Results" (PDF). May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  27. ↑ "2019 Grand Prix of Alabama - Lamborghini Super Trofeo - Race 1 Official Results (50 Minutes) - Revised" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). June 21, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  28. ↑ "FRP at Barber with Historics 2022 - F2000 Championship Series - Provisional Race 2 Results" (PDF). May 22, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  29. ↑ "F4 United States Championship - Barber Motorsports Park - October 17–19, 2025 - Round 16 Official Race Results" (PDF). October 18, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  30. ↑ "2025 Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix - USF Juniors - Race 1 - Official Results" (PDF). May 2, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  31. ↑ "2026 MotoAmerica Superbike at Barber - Supersport - Race 1 Results" (PDF). May 16, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Trans Am Championship Presented by Pirelli - Barber Motorsports Park October 17–19, 2025 - Round 11 - Official Race Results" (PDF). October 19, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Trans Am Championship Presented by Pirelli - CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, presented by Pirelli - Barber Motorsports Park October 17–19, 2025 - Round 11 - Provisional Race Results" (PDF). October 19, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  34. 1 2 "Grand-Am Barber 2013". April 6, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Grand American Rolex Series - GT 2013 standings". Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  36. 1 2 "Barber 250 Miles 2004". October 10, 2004. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  37. ↑ "2005 Formula BMW USA Barber (Race 2)". July 31, 2005. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  38. ↑ "2026 MotoAmerica Superbike at Barber - Twins Cup - Race 2 Results" (PDF). May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Barber Motorsports Park - Sep 6–8 2024 / Leeds, AL - GT America powered by Skip Barber - Race 2 Final Results" (PDF). September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  40. ↑ "e=FRP at Barber with Historics 2022 - F1600 Championship Series - Provisional Race 2 Results" (PDF). May 22, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Grand American Rolex Series - GX 2013 standings". Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  42. ↑ "2026 Ford Mustang Cup USA - Parnelli Cup - Round 2 - Parnelli Cup Race Official Results (40 Minutes +1 lap)" (PDF). March 28, 2026. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  43. ↑ "2025 Toyota GR Cup North America Round 11 & 12 - Barber Motorsports Park - Race 2 Provisional Results (45 Minutes)" (PDF). September 7, 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  44. ↑ "2025 Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix - Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin - Race 2 Provisional Results (45 Minutes)" (PDF). May 4, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  45. ↑ "2022 Motoamerica Superbikes at Alabama - North America Talent Cup - Race 1 Results" (PDF). September 24, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
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