Motocross Facility Debut
Rick Doughty
When does a noun become an adjective? When it is Barber. It’s not a riddle, just the truth. George Barber and his team at the Barber Motorsports Museum have been committed to excellence in everything we have witnessed over the last 35 years. When we heard they were going to build a dedicated motocross course, we assumed it would be first-class, and it was. After all, it’s Barber!
The picturesque facility was unveiled at this year’s Vintage Festival and did not disappoint. Winding through tree-laden hills of the Alabama countryside, the course looked like it was plucked straight out of the mid-70s in style and texture. Devoid of modern motocross/supercross style obstacles, the layout was well-mated to the men and machines that did battle on the day. While the Barber Vintage Festival also offers road racing, flat track, and trials competition, none compare in the number of participants for the two-day motocross. The overall entries hovered around the 400 mark.
Saturday’s focus was on the Pre-75 era machines, while Sunday’s program was geared towards the later-model vintage machinery. Both days utilized the same circuit with much praise going out to track builder Allen McWilliams for layout, preparation, and the speed in which the project was completed. In four short months, the crew turned what was the facility’s dumping area into a purpose-built motocross facility. That in and of itself, shows commitment and hustle rarely found these days. They deserve every bit of the participants’ appreciation that was bestowed on them. With a full year ahead and one event under their belt, the 2025 event will no doubt be even more impressive. Plans for increasing the pit area, adding more grandstands and viewing areas are already in the works.
So, was it everything Barber was known for? Almost. With so much of the terrain having to be moved around to create the course, water truck roads, building pads, etc…there was no time to worry about the elegant, manicured landscape features that are the trademark of the Barber facility. Even in its more raw state, it was still impressive as motocross facilities go, but good enough is not good enough for Barber. The grounds have already been seeded with the grass that will come to life next spring.
By next October 3-5, when the Vintage Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary, the motocross facility will be full on Barber. A beautiful sight we can’t wait to see again.
