The motorsports world lost a visionary on Monday, and the world lost a true gentleman. George Barber, founder of Barber Motorsports Park and The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, passed away Monday at the age of 85.
At the risk of coming across as a name-dropper with this story; I had the honor of meeting Mr. Barber on the morning of the 2011 race at the track that bears his name. Susan and I were in the IndyCar motorcoach, wrapping up an interview that I had been granted by then-IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard. As we were saying our goodbyes, Mr. Barber popped in and Randy Bernard introduced us. It wasn’t a long conversation, but it was long enough that he recognized my pronounced southern accent and asked where we were from. His eyes brightened, when we said Nashville.
In the short time we spoke, it was obvious that despite his obvious wealth and position in life – there was not a pretentious or disingenuous bone in his body. He came across as a caring and warm individual that seemed genuinely happy that we had come to his facility.
Back in the days before COVID, the media center at Barber was in a temporary inflatable bubble in the parking lot above and behind pit row. It was common for Mr. Barber to come in and personally thank the media for coming to cover the IndyCar event at his track. Sometimes corporate executives will come in and make a meaningless speech that you know is not very heartfelt. With Mr. Barber, you knew he meant it.
Since the media center moved into a permanent building further away up the hill and pretty much out of sight of the track; I have not seen Mr. Barber. I don’t know if his health was limiting his movement at the track or what, but I know that the charm has been going away from that event since then. The event has gotten more of a corporate feel, instead of the southern charm the event was famous for in the 2010s. I don’t think that is coincidental that the vibe changed once Mr. Barber started pulling back.
George Barber was a racer himself, before assuming control of the family business – Barber Pure Milk Company – after the death of his father in 1970. The business prospered under Barber and he sold the company in 1998. In the meantime, Barber had already begun pursuing his motorsports passion. He had begun an extensive motorcycle collection almost twenty years earlier.
The first Barber Museum opened in 1994 in south Birmingham. In 2003, he opened that showplace we all know today to house his extensive motorcycle and race car collection, which contains the worlds largest collection of Lotus race cars – many with a rich history related to the Indianapolis 500. That is also the same year that the 17-turn track opened.
Susan and I attended the formal IndyCar test at Barber in March 2009. It was the first natural terrain road course facility I had ever been to. It felt surreal to see and hear the cars that sounded so familiar, in such an unfamiliar setting – amongst the pine trees, dogwoods and manicured azaleas. I swore to myself that day that if IndyCar ever staged a race there, we would be there. It came to pass just one year later and it has become a staple on our IndyCar calendar – especially with it being an hour and a half closer to us than IMS.
George Barber created a lasting monument with his scenic track and his extensive motorsports museum. It is a world-class facility that should make all of Alabama proud. Mr. Barber’s legacy will live on, but his loss will be felt for a long time – not only in his home state of Alabama, but throughout the motorsports world. Rest in Peace, Mr. Barber. He was a true southern gentleman.
George Phillips
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