Barber Motorsports Park Announces “Barber Proving Grounds”

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and the Barber Motorsports Park are pleased to announce the completion of the Barber Proving Grounds, a major addition to the Barber Motorsports Park.  The Proving Grounds are currently in operation, with Mercedes?Benz USA as the first customer, using it for their employee "Brand Immersion Experience."

 The complex is located adjacent to the current Barber track and consists of a new track area and wet/dry skidpad. The track is primarily asphalt, 24 feet wide, and can be configured to many different lengths, including up to more than a mile in length. A new 150 ft. x 300 ft. wet/dry skidpad will allow drivers to explore traction limits under varying conditions. The new track and skidpad have a look that complements the overall theme and design of the Barber Motorsports Park.

The new track will allow additional events to be conducted while the existing track is in use. Some anticipated events include product debuts, corporate outings and events, safety instruction, driver schools, and autocross and kart events.The new track will offer an environment that will challenge all types of vehicles and drivers, with multiple configurations of turns and straights, including a banked bowl designed to evoke the banked track at Daytona. The track has been designed to allow users to experience vehicle dynamics in a controlled environment, with special areas available to demonstrate vehicle capabilities, such as accident avoidance, braking, turning, and acceleration.

 “This new addition should draw even more people to Birmingham and Alabama to visit, spend money, generate economic impact and have a great time,” said George Barber, the Barber Park’s founder. “It’s all about helping create a better Birmingham and Alabama.”

In addition to the new Proving Grounds, Barber Motorsports Park is home to what is considered one of North America’s finest road courses for car and motorcycle racing - a 2.38 mile racing circuit 45 feet wide, with 17 turns and elevation changes of more than 80 feet.  The track annually hosts world-class events such as the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, the Triumph Superbike Classic and the Barber Vintage Festival, in addition to numerous international product launches and driving schools. 

Additionally, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, on-site, is the largest motorcycle museum in the world, with more than 1,400 vintage and modern motorcycles from 17 different nations and more than 125 manufacturers.