Barber Amusement Park

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

     WOW! That paved roller coaster is the wildest thing I have ever ridden! This place by far is my favorite track.

     I would describe the place as a combination of Gratten (track layout), Road America (scenic surroundings), and Daytona (sheer AWE). Take that combination and improve it 100% and you've got Barber.

     The first few laps on this track and I was thinking how can anyone go really fast at this place? Almost every turn is either blind, climbing or falling away, or a decreasing radius turn. Faith in the corner workers is a must at this place! After a number of laps I watched a couple of the fast guys going thru the turns and realized that you can go alot faster than first impression.

     I really liked the FM radio station convenience for tuning in the announcer (like RA and Daytona), wish all tracks had that. The Bathrooms / showers are very conveniently placed in the middle on the paddock. Viewing from the 3rd story obsevation deck is way cool, or from the 2nd story shaded area is good too.

     The only negatives I would mention would be the patches already in place and the weather at this time of the year. I would really like to see this track on the GP/MW/GL schedule as a 1st or 2nd event of the season and/or maybe the weekend before the ROC - that way just drive directly to Daytona from there. ;D

     Lastly, was there a crash in almost every race on Sunday or what? Seemed like alot of walk away low-sides were happening.

[james-redsv]

I would like to say they need to add power hook-ups in the paddack, this is mandatory. I almost had a heat stroke on Sat because I couldnt plug in my freaking fan. ??? Give me some power Mr Barber and some speakers so we hear when our race is coming up and your place will be world class. :D Oh yea, open your own consession stand instead of hiring a sorry catering service.  ??? With these 3 things taken care of this place would be 100% compleate. 8)

[Dawn]

         The only negatives I would mention would be the patches already in place and the weather at this time of the year. I would really like to see this track on the GP/MW/GL schedule as a 1st or 2nd event of the season and/or maybe the weekend before the ROC - that way just drive directly to Daytona from there. ;D

Please -  Not the MW (or probably GL as far as that goes).  I don't see how it could possibly be seen as part of our region.

Dawn   ;)

[Steviebee]

its only 8 hours for me.  
Closer than Mid America.
Proable closer than Topeka.

[Chef]

AAAAANNNNNNNNDDDDDDD...........

It's GOTTA be the Sweetest track in the COUNTRY!
or second/third, i vote it IN...... no offense Dawn..

oh yeah, STEVIEBEE got his 1st 1st!!!
 :D
IKE

[Dawn]

its only 8 hours for me.  
Closer than Mid America.
Proable closer than Topeka.

Well Topeka (12.5 hours from Marion, WI) was really supposed to be at Road America (1.5 hours from Marion, WI).....

What region are you in Steve?

Dawn   ???

[Dawn]

AAAAANNNNNNNNDDDDDDD...........

It's GOTTA be the Sweetest track in the COUNTRY!
or second/third, i vote it IN...... no offense Dawn..

oh yeah, STEVIEBEE got his 1st 1st!!!
 :D
IKE

No offense Ike....

Just been travelling too much.  I know the high that comes from racing, but the $$$ and time it takes to go to those distant  tracks - Well its been a bit of a downer (Paul's only got two days of vacation left and unpaid leave is not acceptable at his employer).

Dawn    :-/

PS  Congratulations Steve on your 1st Place.  (Now was that before or after K3 borrowed your bike  ;) ;D)

[Steviebee]

Indianapolis IN,   CCS liscense says GL region.


A 1st .. WEEEEE Im still in shock.
I tried to represent the mid-west guys !!

[ecumike]

Yea, Barber was definitely awesome.

As Mike said.. After the first practice session, I also quickly found out that you can take the turns faster than you think.

I loved all the chicanes and twisties, you could really rail through them, especially if you cut over the gator like in the 'roller coaster'. For the 125's and 250's, this place is an absolute blast.

It's not as technical as you think, especially since it's so wide, you have plenty of room and choice of lines to take.

[Steviebee]

OMG first practice session.

Listen to this.

Friday morning,  First session, first lap, Turn 5 (tight 1 gear hairpin) .  Just as i turn in i hear tire screech, and some yahoo comes flying past me about 90mph with both tires locked up, straight across the turn straight into the gravel trap.  Misses me by about 2 inches !

[Nate R]

 :o :o >:( :( ::) :-/

[Super Dave]

I would like to say they need to add power hook-ups in the paddack, this is mandatory. I almost had a heat stroke on Sat because I couldnt plug in my freaking fan. ??? Give me some power Mr Barber and some speakers so we hear when our race is coming up and your place will be world class. :D Oh yea, open your own consession stand instead of hiring a sorry catering service.  ??? With these 3 things taken care of this place would be 100% compleate. 8)

Now, now, now...  I've met Mr Barber on numerous occasions.  Bring a generator.  He put up millions and millions of his own dollars on this.  Least you can to is be prepared yourself.



Stevebee....Nice job.  I told you that you rode well!


Too wide to be technical?  Go faster.  What are you guys turning for times?

[ecumike]

On my priller 250, in my one and only dry race I got in before my piston blew, I had 48's to a couple 47's.

Not that fast. I figure I could have dropped a couple seconds if I would have raced the rest of the weekend  :(

[Super Dave]

Really looking for a good 600 or 750 time...

What track was the gearing like?  

[ecumike]

I know this probably won't help you alot but I'm gonna tell you anyways :P

It was like no other. There wasn't much of any kinda straight. It was ALL turning and elevation changes.

I usually run 14/41 at VIR and it's perfect, top out right at the end of the straight, just at the brake markers, only 1-2 turns where gearing is not the best. (run out)

I ran 13/41 at barber and barely got into 6th gear. Although it was just about right for turns (no mid-turn shifts)

[621r6]

I was doing 41's (slow) on my R6 with 15/49 gearing but I still wasn't comfortable with the track :-/

[james-redsv]

Now, now, now...  I've met Mr Barber on numerous occasions.  Bring a generator.  He put up millions and millions of his own dollars on this.  Least you can to is be prepared yourself.

  
Dave I have never been to a nicer track than Barber, but I have to repeat HE NEEDS TO ADD POWER. Even Roebling Road and Jennings GP have power. There is no reason to not do this when the money is there, which it obviously is. I would rather buy tires than have to buy a generator for $500 for the only track in the southeast that doesnt have power hook-ups. :P

[TrophyGal]

Wow!  What great racing reports we've got here!  We heard nothing but good things during the weekend from everybody there .. with only a few comments about the electric and not being able to hear the PA well enough.

Talked extensively with Mike Warren, Track Mgr., and electricity should be in the paddock area next year.   :)  Alot of it's already in place.  They wanted to do a few races this year to get a feel for what changes needed to be made.  They are shutting down this fall to repave some sections.

If I remember correctly from some of the time sheets posted in Tech, I saw some 1:31s.

CCS Race Officials:
TrophyGal (Jeanne) & TrophyGuy (Alan)

[Super Dave]

Dave I have never been to a nicer track than Barber, but I have to repeat HE NEEDS TO ADD POWER. Even Roebling Road and Jennings GP have power. There is no reason to not do this when the money is there, which it obviously is. I would rather buy tires than have to buy a generator for $500 for the only track in the southeast that doesnt have power hook-ups. :P

I guess I've been to more tracks that don't have power than do.  Laguna doesn't, Sears doesn't, Daytona doesn't have very many, Blackhawk has a couple, Hallet doesn't.  

I think I'd cut George some slack.  He wants to have a World Championship event in someplace other than California.  The power might be in his overall plan, but just might not be right now.

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

     I'm still thinking about this event and how much fun that track is! I am going to make sure and get to this track next year (I certainly hope we're going again!) and do the practice day along with both days of racing.

     One regret I do have was forgetting the adapter cable for my on board video camera at home and not realizing it until I started mounting the thing on my bike Sunday morning! That would have been something I would have been playing repeatedly over the winter, hopefully they will have some good complete lap onboard video in the upcoming AMA race there.

[james-redsv]

Talked extensively with Mike Warren, Track Mgr., and electricity should be in the paddock area next year.   :)  Alot of it's already in place.  They wanted to do a few races this year to get a feel for what changes needed to be made.                                                                                                                                                                                  Looks like I will get my wish next year! ;D

[Super Dave]

Was the mueseum up where anyone saw it?  I've been to the museum a few times before.  Pretty impressive.

[ecumike]

Mike, I've got 3 onboard video clips that I got from somewhere. (I forgot where) if you want them, if you're just looking for some track footage.

That's what I used to study the track before this weekend. :)

Multiple laps in each.

[Jkf95]

museum was no open yet.  Heard talk of it opening for the AMA race in September. Looks very impressive from the outside.