Barber Motorsports Park
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| Location | Leeds, Alabama, USA |
|---|---|
| Owner | Barber Motorsports |
| Operator | ZOOM Motorsports |
| Opened | 2003 |
| Architect | Alan Wilson |
| Major events |
Verizon IndyCar Series Indy Grand Prix of Alabama (2010–present) MotoAmerica (2015) Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Porsche 250 (2003–2013) AMA Superbike Championship (2003–2014) |
| Road course | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.38 mi (3.83 km) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Lap record | 1:06.6001 (Sebastien Bourdais, KVSH Racing, 2016, IndyCar) |
| Website | www |
The Barber Motorsports Park is a 740 acres (300 ha) multi-purpose racing facility located in Leeds, Alabama. It was built by George W. Barber, and includes the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum. It has been the site of the IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Alabama since the 2010 season. Barber is also the home of the North American Porsche Driving School.
The park, which opened in 2003, has a 16-turn, 2.38-mile (3.83 km) road course, designed by Alan Wilson, viewable from several naturally wooded or grass-covered banks. The track is designed to be run clockwise. The layout is compact, with a number of elevation changes. The pit lane is to the outside of the track, parallel to the front stretch; the pit wall is on the driver's left. Two cutoff turns, which are barricaded when not in use, allow the track to be shortened for club events or testing sessions. During the 2012 off season, much of the track surface was ground using a diamond grinder. This will prolong the life of the track's surface as well as add grip for the cars and bikes who race there.
The track is unusual in having no general-access spectator seating at the start/finish line. The area outside of the front stretch, bounded by the track on three sides, is occupied by the multi-level paddock. A building along the front stretch, between start/finish and turn 1, houses a media center, a race control area, track offices, garages, and some VIP viewing areas. The main spectator area is along the back stretch, between turns 8 and 11; here spectators can watch from embankments, or from temporary grandstands erected for race weekends. From this area, most of the course, except for turns 2/3 and turn 13, is visible. A food and souvenir vending area is located behind the grandstands in the vicinity of turns 9/10. Additional spectator areas are outside of turns 2 & 3, and turn 14. There is generally no spectator access to the infield. An RV park and camping area is located atop a hill behind the paddock.
The track has hosted numerous motorsport races including Grand-Am, Vintage Racing Series events, and AMA Superbike. It serves as the home of the Porsche Sport Driving School and the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School. It also hosts the Keith Code California Superbike School and the Jamie James Yamaha Champions Riding School. Barber is noted for its landscaping and greenery; the track has been referred to as "The Augusta National of Motorsports".
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