Road trip: Atlanta to Barber Motorsports Park for AMA Superbikes

April 28, 9:59 AMAtlanta Sport Bike ExaminerBeth Dolgner

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The view from the museum is worth the price of admission.

From May 1-3, AMA Pro Racing descends on Barber Motorsports Park for the 7th Annual Honda Superbike Championship. Since the Alabama track is only two hours from Atlanta, it’s easy to ride over for the weekend, or even the day.

If you’re planning a road trip to Barber this weekend, here are a few tips to make sure you get the most out of your visit.

Museum-quality views: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum has a motorcycle collection that will make any two-wheel enthusiast swoon, but that’s not the only perk. The museum looks out over the back straight, affording a spectacular view. If you visit the museum, go during practice or qualifying so you can take advantage of the big floor-to-ceiling windows. Admission is $15 for adults.

Play by the rules: With its close-cropped green lawns and sculptures scattered across the property, Barber has often been compared to a golf course. There’s no doubt it’s one of the best-looking race tracks in the Southeast, and Barber management wants to keep it that way. Take a look at their rules before you go: security guards there take their jobs very seriously.

Put a lid on it: Barber is unique in that the road surrounding the race course is considered a public road, even though it’s inside the gates. That means all the usual laws apply, so helmet use is mandatory.

Wave to the fans: If you want an extra-special treat, sign up for a parade lap on Saturday or Sunday. The lunchtime treat costs $30 per bike, and you can take a passenger. If you haven’t been on the track before, you might be surprised at just how many elevation changes there are.

Get a ticket: Tickets for all three days are $60 in advance, and $70 at the gate. If you are making a day trip, Saturday or Sunday is $40 advance, and $45 gate. A pass to get into the paddock is $15, and highly recommended since you can get up close to the teams, riders and bikes.