Overview
- The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum announced his death on Feb. 17, with no cause released and funeral details to follow; multiple outlets report his age as 85, while one local report lists 86.
- Barber created the Birmingham museum recognized by Guinness World Records for housing more than 1,800 motorcycles from over 200 manufacturers.
- He developed the adjacent 2.38-mile road course on an 880-acre site that hosts major series including IndyCar and MotoAmerica.
- Officials and colleagues, including IndyCar president Doug Boles, praised Barber’s vision and the facility’s lasting impact as a cultural and philanthropic asset for Alabama.
- A former Porsche racer with 63 wins, Barber led Barber’s Dairy before selling it to Dean Foods in 1998 and dedicating his efforts to motorsports preservation, with events such as the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix on March 29 set to proceed.