Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.


Posted by David Swarts

From an e-mail from Landers Sevier V, Corona Extra Suzuki team principal:

A bit of newsworthy info regarding the Barber track.

As you may already know, Aaron Yates tested at Barber Motorsports Park about three weeks ago in what was to be a shake-down or test of the track itself.

Aaron is the first qualified rider to evaluate the much anticipated circuit. At the time of the initial test, the track was 99% complete. All curbing was in place, gravel run-off areas were in place and the final wear surface of asphalt had been laid. After doing 20 laps on Jimmy Moore’s Corona Extra SuperStock Championship-winning GSX-R750 Yates stated, “the facilty is amazing – 80% better than any track we (the AMA Superbike series) currently compete on.” Yates went on to say that the track layout was “fast and flowing and offered lots of places to make passes. Varied elevation changes and lots of good viewing for spectators.”

Track management (and Mr. Barber), at that time, simply wanted Yates’ non-biased feedback specifically on the track surface itself as there was some concern that the surface wasn’t the absolute best it could be. Yates’ evaluation of the surface – “the surface right now is awesome. I have no complaints whatsoever. Let’s get it on the schedule for ’03.” Yates’ only constructive criticism of the surface was a slight roughness on the inside line of the downhill carousel section and one small dip on the entry to turn 7.

After Yates pointed out those two areas – Mr. Barber made the call to totally repave the ENTIRE surface. According to Mr. Barber, “patches and repair work will not be acceptable. This facility is to set the bar for road courses in North America – period. It will be the standard by which all others are judged. It will be considered The Augusta of motorsports and if it costs us several hundred thousand extra to make our surface absolutely perfect then so be it. Let’s repave.”

The original surface was ground-up and removed. Within three weeks of the initial test, Yates was invited back.

Yates, after seeing the circuit, the museum, and the overall project coming together so quickly and after he realized Mr. Barber’s dedication and commitment to making this course the finest in North America referenced Mr. Barber as…”Man, this guy ain’t no joke.”

You should call him for more of an in-depth opinion of the track and the facility as a whole. Wonder what he thinks about making a simple statement about a track surface – then seeing someone drop a half million or so dollars at the drop of hat.



Editorial Note: The Porsche Driving Experience driving school is relocating its program from Sebring and Road Atlanta to Barber effective March 2003, according to Betsy Sexton, Porsche Driving Experience Program Coordinator.

There are also reports that Porsche intends to hold the press launch for its much anticipated new SUV at Barber in January.

An inside source at Barber reports that the Barber track may host the final round of the 2003 AMA Superbike season.

Attempts to reach Jeff Ray, Executive Director of the Barber Motorsports Park, and AMA Pro Racing Superbike Operations Manager Ron Barrick to confirm the 2003 AMA race date have been unsuccessful at post time.