The 1960s Alabama racer whose 63 wins have been lost to history

George Barber’s 63 Victories Put Alabama on Racing Map

George Barber was just 20 when he hit the gas on his racing career in 1960.

The Birmingham native soon tore through the Southeast in his Porsche Super 90, then moved up to a Carrera that won him the SCCA Southeastern Championship.

Next came a rare Porsche 904 he raced at Daytona and Sebring, plus a Brabham BT8 – one of only 12 ever made.

Back then, races ran on old airport runways since proper tracks were scarce.

The racing world remembers Barber for his 63 first-place wins that put Alabama firmly on the motorsports map before he traded his helmet for the family dairy business in 1972.

Birmingham’s Young Racer Took the Wheel in 1960

George Barber started racing at just 20 years old when he joined the Sports Car Club of America in 1960. The Birmingham, Alabama native began with a Porsche Super 90.

This young driver quickly showed natural talent on the track, kicking off a ten-year racing career that put Birmingham on the map as a Southern racing hotspot.

His Porsche Carrera Brought Home Championship Glory

Barber moved up from his Super 90 to the more powerful Porsche Carrera as he got better. The upgrade paid off when he won the SCCA Southeastern Divisional Championship.

His success with the Carrera showed other Southern drivers that Alabama racers could compete at top levels.

Barber’s growing trophy collection made him one of the region’s best drivers when motorsports was still catching on in the South.

Sebring and Daytona Called as Barber Went Pro

Buying a Porsche 904 marked Barber’s move into pro racing at America’s famous tracks. He raced at Sebring and the steep turns of Daytona, teaming up with driver Peter Gregg.

These big-name tracks tested Barber against the country’s best racers. The move to major races showed how far Southern motorsports had come.

Abandoned Runways Became Racing Playgrounds

SCCA races in the South faced a big problem: not enough proper racing tracks. They solved this by using old airport runways as makeshift race tracks.

These wide, flat surfaces gave enough room for fast racing when real tracks were still rare in the region. The airport circuits became the backbone of Southern racing.

An Air Force General Helped Racing Take Flight

General Curtis LeMay played a key role in Southern racing by helping get access to old military airfields.

The Air Force general’s connections opened these facilities for races. His military ties proved vital for growing racing in the region.

These airport tracks served as starting points toward the permanent racing facilities that would later define Southern motorsports.

Barber Tinkered Under the Hood for Extra Speed

Not happy with factory settings, Barber showed his technical skills by changing his Porsche 904 engine to a Porsche RSK Spyder setup.

This change proved his knowledge went beyond just driving fast. His mechanical know-how gave him an edge over drivers who stuck with stock setups.

Barber custom-fit his cars for Southern racing conditions, where airport surfaces and weather created unique challenges.

Only 12 Brabham BT8s Existed, and Barber Grabbed One

Barber made a bold move by buying a rare Brabham BT8, one of just 12 ever built between 1964 and 1966. This purchase showed he was serious about racing at the highest level.

The Brabham featured cutting-edge technology with its light design and powerful engine, perfect for the airport circuits common in Southern racing.

Owning such a rare car put Barber in an elite group of drivers.

Courtland’s Airport Hosted Barber’s Brabham Glory Days

During 1967-1968, Barber reached his racing peak, racing in SCCA events across the Southeast with his Brabham BT8.

Photos from this time show him and his pit crew getting ready for races at Courtland, Alabama. The airport track at Courtland became a regular stop on Barber’s racing schedule.

His races at these events helped boost crowds and interest in Alabama motorsports.

63 First-Place Trophies Filled His Shelves

Barber’s racing record speaks for itself: 63 first-place finishes during his ten years behind the wheel. This impressive win count made him one of Alabama’s most successful racers ever.

His steady victories helped put Birmingham on the map as an important center for Southern motorsports. Each win added to the growing status of Alabama drivers and built interest in racing throughout the region.

Family Business Called Him Away From the Track

Barber’s racing career came to an end in 1972 following his father’s death, when he stepped away from competition to take over the family’s Barber Dairies business.

Though his time on the track ended, his impact on Southern motorsports continued.

The groundwork he helped lay contributed to Alabama’s racing scene that later flourished with major facilities like the Barber Motorsport Park.

His decade of competition helped transform the state from a racing backwater into a legitimate part of America’s motorsports landscape.

Visiting Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum at 6030 Barber Motorsports Parkway houses the world’s largest motorcycle collection with over 1,600 bikes from 22 countries.

You’ll see George Barber’s personal race cars and an extensive Lotus collection that showcase his racing career from the 1960s-70s.

Adult admission is $20, kids $15. Premium docent tours run Friday-Saturday at 10:30am and Sunday at 1pm.

The museum opens Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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