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James O
07-12-2004, 10:02 PM
A good friend of mine started racing in SCCA racing a few years ago. This gives me a good excuse to visit some of the great race tracks in the southeast. This weekend I had the opportunity to go to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham Alabama. I had heard alot about the track and the museum from various sources as well as this forum, but I have to emphasize that if you love motorcycles, this is really a trip you have to take.

Getting ready Saturday a.m.
James O
07-12-2004, 10:03 PM
Museum with motorcycle only parking in front
James O
07-12-2004, 10:05 PM
It almost looks like a matchbox collection. Barber has numerous displays that are set up just like this
James O
07-12-2004, 10:07 PM
A favorite
James O
07-12-2004, 10:10 PM
Another. I was told that Barber does not have a vehicle in this museum that is not fully functional. The lower level of the museum is for rebuilding bikes and they do not go on diplay until they can be ridden

This one was from Rommel's African Korps.
James O
07-12-2004, 10:13 PM
Another nice one. In the background you can see the action going on at the track
James O
07-12-2004, 10:16 PM
There were over 500 bikes in the museum at the time of my visit. Barber supposedly has another 300 bikes at a warehouse somewhere in Birmingham. Anyway it is the largest privately owned collection in the U.S.
James O
07-12-2004, 10:23 PM
One last beauty. I was also told that the racetrack, which was designed as a motorcyle track, was orginally started as a private track for Barber to exercise his collection. It was only later that he decided to open it to various other motorsport events. A really nice place. I didn't post any pictures of the track since I used my 35 mm camera for the actual racing that took place that weekend but the track is extremely fan friendly and is well liked by the guys running there over the weekend.
James O
07-12-2004, 10:25 PM
Home sweet home. Unicoi gap Georgia approximately 2 miles from the house. Always glad to get back home after traveling through Atlanta on a weekend.
gambrinus
07-12-2004, 11:13 PM
WOW! is all I can say. I've heard of the track but I had NO idea that they had such an amazing museum there. That is going on "the list"


RW
Ghostryder
07-13-2004, 08:31 AM
Thanks for the photos, I was unaware of the track and the museum. I will have to take a trip out there.:D
Visian
07-17-2004, 06:27 PM
If you enjoyed these pics, here are some more (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=1132) from a post I made last year.

Enjoy.

Ian
warredon
07-17-2004, 07:48 PM
I have visited the museum several times when it was at the old location. I can hardly wait to see the new facility. I do have one question though. I really enjoyed the pics you posted, and am wondering if they now allow cameras into the museum. If I remember correctly, there was a sign when entering the old location stating that there were no cameras allowed.
cgarr
07-18-2004, 12:16 AM
WOW!
That is some great old iron. I have added this to my list of must get to places. Thanks for the report, and the pictures were outstanding, particularly like the Africa Korp bike. Thanks.
James O
07-19-2004, 08:45 AM
Don,
There is a sign that says you cannot take pictures for publishing but are welcome to take pictures for personal use. One other thing that I think is really cool is that these bikes as well as the cars in the collection are not roped off; you can walk right up to them and really look closely at them. Hopefully people will respect the signs that say to do not get on the bikes and they will continue to be as accessible as they now are.

James O