Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

10/22/2026

The 21st annual Barber Vintage Festival held earlier this month celebrated the life and legacy of Barber Motorsports Park founder George Barber.

Charles Miller, chairman of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, was among the friends and colleagues interviewed for a short film about Barber.

“George left a blueprint for us,” said Miller. “And the blueprint is, ‘No job is too small. Nothing is beneath you. Always be curious. And put other people first.’”

The film debuted at "Motorcycles by Moonlight," the benefit dinner that serves as the opening celebration for the Barber Vintage Festival.

Follow the link in the comments to watch the film on the “Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum” YouTube channel.

10/20/2026

Did Hurricane Isaias force you to cancel plans to attend this year’s 21st annual Barber Vintage Festival? We know you were there in spirit, if not body.

To show our appreciation, we’re offering a 20% discount on all festival merchandise, including hats, patches, stickers, T-shirts, and microfiber towels.

Follow the store link in the comments. Discount applied at checkout.

10/18/2026

Did you attend one or more of the six seminars held on Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10, in the Barber Advanced Design Center during the 21st annual Barber Vintage Festival? We want to hear your feedback.

Guests included Peter Jones, Sonya Lloyd, Melissa Paris, Kayla Theisler, Nick Ienatsch, Kent Kunitsugu, Pierre Terblanche, Kenny Roberts Jr., Neil Spalding, Alan Cathcart, and Kevin Cameron. The seminars were moderated by Liz Johnson, Ultan Guilfoyle, and Matthew Miles.

If you were unable to attend, keep an eye on the “Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum" YouTube channel in the coming weeks for videos from the seminars. Also, let us know what type of content you would like to see in the future.

Photos: Wes Johnson/Sparks Photography

10/16/2026

Stephen Clark, the Scottish photographer behind Superbike-crazy “Wildcard Garage,” attended the exclusive preview of the “DUCATI 100” and “GSX-R FORTY YEARS” exhibitions on Wednesday, October 7, at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

Clark interviewed museum board member Ultan Guilfoyle, who curated both exhibitions, and Matthew Miles, whose Team Cycle World GSX-R1000 raced by four-time national champ Eric Bostrom is included in “GSX-R FORTY YEARS.”

Clark previously documented the restoration of two GSX-R750s, a 1992 “Slingshot” and a ’99 “SRAD,” both of which would have been fine additions to the GSX-R FORTY YEARS exhibition. Perhaps we’ll see them at a Barber Motorsports Park track day.

The DUCATI 100 and GSX-R FORTY YEARS exhibitions were made possible with support from the Italian American Heritage Society of Birmingham, Alabama.

https://youtu.be/s0yWKbuwfT0?si=PiSAO7Jab_RU-lD2

10/15/2026

Three days of fast-paced, high-speed action: The SVRA SpeedTour visits Barber Motorsports Park this weekend, October 16-18. The diverse lineup includes the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, Ligier Junior Formula Championship, Formula 4 United States Championship, Formula Regional Americas Championship, and International GT.

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum adjacent to the 17-turn, 2.38-mile road course is open throughout the weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Be sure to visit the “DUCATI 100” and “GSX-R FORTY YEARS” exhibitions on the fifth and third floors of the museum. Admission requires a separate ticket, available for purchase at the front desk upon arrival.

DUCATI 100 and GSX-R FORTY YEARS are made possible with support from the Italian American Heritage Society of Birmingham, Alabama.

10/14/2026

WBRC 6 reporter Jeh Jeh Pruitt interviewed Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Executive Director Brian Case and museum board member Ultan Guilfoyle on the opening day of the “DUCATI 100” and “GSX-R FORTY YEARS” exhibitions, held in conjunction with the 21st annual Barber Vintage Festival.

Guilfoyle curated both DUCATI 100 and GSX-R FORTY YEARS, which were designed by Pierre Terblanche, resident mentor of the Barber Advanced Design Center, located on the fifth floor of the museum. Guilfoyle described the exhibitions as a “full-circle” experience.

“George Barber was the first person I called when I did the Guggenheim exhibition, and we’ve been friends ever since,” he said, referring to the landmark 1998 hit, “The Art of the Motorcycle,” that he co-curated. “It’s giving back to George what he gave to me 30 years ago.”

Case and Guilfoyle also appeared earlier in the week in the WBRC 6 studios with anchor Clare Huddleston on the “Now at 11 a.m.” newscast. The exhibitions are installed on the fifth and third floors of the museum and will run through the spring.

Thanks to the thousands of Barber Vintage Festival attendees who made the opening weekend of the exhibitions a tremendous success. Both exhibitions were made possible with support from the Italian American Heritage Society of Birmingham, Alabama.

Follow the link in the comments to watch the interview with Case and Guilfoyle.

10/11/2026

Twice-daily engine start-ups are an integral part of the Barber Vintage Festival. This weekend, inside the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, conservation staff fired two Ducatis, a 1974 750 Super Sport and a 1990 750 Sport, and a 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750.

In addition, on Saturday morning, Lee Clark started the NART-liveried Ferrari 158 driven by John Surtees to second at the 1964 Mexican Grand Prix, as well as the recent recreation by Classic Team Lotus of the 1967 Lotus 49 R1. Which start-up did you most enjoy?

Video: Wes Johnson/Spark Photo

10/11/2026

Kevin Schwantz is larger than life in the “GSX-R FORTY YEARS” exhibition at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. The 1993 FIM 500cc world champion is racing his 1999 Suzuki RM250 today in AHRMA vintage motocross near Lot G across from the museum. Come out and cheer on Kevin and the other competitors.

Photo: Shigeo Kibiki

10/10/2026

Scenes from Wednesday night’s exclusive preview of the DUCATI 100 and GSX-R FORTY YEARS exhibitions. More than 230 museum members and special guests attended the event.

The exhibitions were curated by Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum board member Ultan Guilfoyle and designed by Pierre Terblanche, resident mentor of the Barber Advanced Design Center.

The DUCATI 100 and GSX-R FORTY YEARS exhibitions are made possible with support from the Italian American Heritage Society of Birmingham, Alabama.

Photos: Wes Johnson/Sparks Photography

10/10/2026

Barber Vintage Festival update: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is OPEN. Visit the new DUCATI 100 and GSX-R FORTY YEARS exhibitions. Engine start-ups are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with three seminars this afternoon in the Barber Advanced Design Center on the fifth floor of the museum. Plus, a book signing in the gift shop at 2 p.m.

🚨EVENT UPDATE🚨

Gates and all event activities will open at 10:30 AM today!

Parade laps are still scheduled for today, weather permitting. If they are canceled, they will be honored on Sunday, October 11.

Saturday General Admission tickets will still be honored on Sunday, October 11. No exchange needed. Just show your Saturday ticket at the gate on Sunday. Valid for General Admission tickets and parade laps only, not for Sports Grille hospitality tickets.