Here on LongLongHoneymoon.com, we like to consider the plethora of ways in which people use their RVs. While the most obvious may be old fashioned campin’ in a campground, RVs (and especially Airstreams) tend to crop up in unusual places. We’ve seen Airstreams used as modern art, juice bars, BBQ joints, rooftop penthouse apartments, pool cabanas, and guest houses. We’ve “camped” outside football stadiums, on friends’ driveways, in boat marinas, at Las Vegas casinos, and in 453,000 different Walmart parking lots.
But what if we told you that one of the most enjoyable campgrounds in North America was also one of the noisiest? Check out Barber Motorsports Park, a $60 million facility located in our hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.
A few years ago, a local fellow named George Barber sold his family’s dairy business. Quite simply, he had enough coin in the bank to pursue his passions, and Mr. Barber had enjoyed a lifelong love of motorsport. So he chose to invest his own personal wealth in creating the largest nonprofit in the state of Alabama — a gorgeous state-of-the-art racing facility. He did it himself, and he did it right. Barber Motorsports Park is a European-style road racing course, with 17 turns and over 80 feet of elevation change. Mr. Barber gracefully carved a masterpiece out of the rugged Alabama terrain. He fashioned a scenic, challenging race course that’s built to the highest standards.
Is there camping? You bet. There are two campgrounds. Both occupy long stretches of land that stretches around the apex of the park. Although the camping is of the dry variety, on a busy race weekend the Barber track accommodates RVs of every stripe. The typical race weekend stretches from Thursday to Sunday, so most of us will want to keep those RV showers on the brief side.
But what a view! The Barber park has been dubbed “the Augusta of race courses” due to its fantastic natural setting. Its on site Museum also houses Barber’s vintage motorcycle collection, one of the finest in the world.
I like to joke about the “noise.” But in truth, the frenetic hum of fine vehicles is music to the ears of any motorsports fan. Most racing activity stops at around five o’clock — just in time for relaxation by the RV.
If you ever find yourself in the vicinity, it’s well worth your time to visit. You can learn more about the Park at http://www.barbermotorsports.com/
Would have loved to have gone to the races. Did you get a chance to check out the museum? Our company loaned them a 3dPrinter which they had on display on the bottom floor. The man owns some nice vehicles for sure.
To change topic, I bought a TM700 based on some of the video’s you have shot. When i got mine, the are where the battery goes the model says HDC-TM700P not K. Even though i specifically ordered K. You think there’s much of a difference?
Hi Jeremy, with regard to the TM700, I don’t think there’s any difference between the P and K models — in fact, upon further inspection, I have a P! It’s got to be some Panasonic internal designation. All that matters is whether you got a North American (60P) or European (50P) version. Anyway, you got the right one.
We have been to the motorcycle museum before — it’s awesome! The Barber Park is the best development for this area in a long time. It’s without a doubt among the prettiest racetracks in the world.
GREAT video! If you enjoyed IndyCar racing there, you MUST put the Indy 500 on your “bucket list” if you’ve never been to it. With an excess of 300,000 in attendance, you can only imagine the number of RVs that show up here. Our house is 1/2 mile west of Turn 4, so any year you want to come up, you have an open invitation to park the Airstream in our driveway!
Pat Bremer
Speedway, IN
Thank you Pat! I really appreciate the generous offer. We have done our fair share of “driveway camping” and I’m sure we’d have a blast at the Indy 500!
Someday we WILL make the pilgrimage to Indy– we’ve had friends and family attend and they all say it’s a fantastic experience. Thanks again!
Sean (& Kristy)