Barber Grand Prix of Alabama advice

[jiman1973]

I recently found out that I am going to be in Montgomery, Alabama for school from late April til early June. My first weekend there in the area is the weekend of the grand prix at Barber. I was thinking about taking the relatively short drive up to the Birmingham area that weekend to attend the race.

Anyone have any advice? I have never been to Indy Cars on a road course race. I know from reading advice on street courses that the best bet is to get General Admission and move around....is it the same for Barber? Anywhere in particular to sit? Is it a good course to see a road race in person?

I would likely drive up that Sunday morning and head back to Montgomery immediately after the race, so don't care too much about things to do in the area and stuff like that, but if anyone has any pointers about whether to go, where to sit, general race stuff....I would certainly appreciate it.

Thanks! You guys always come through on good advice for races.

[Racewknd]

It's a great roadcourse to see a race...beautiful and quirky facility. Very easy to get around...may fav place to watch from is the hillside by turn 2/3. You can see them through 1, up hill into turn 2 and 3, back down the hill and the straights. If you're there for practice/quals, I would also recommend watching from woods on other side of track so you can see the hairpin passing zone (turn 5, I think). I also like to watch practice from little bleachers by Porsche coralle (I think turns 11 &12) But once you're there, you can figure out pretty easy where you want to watch from.

Definitely check out the museum...and if you happen to encounter Jena Fryer, simply keep moving and keep to yourself...

[Aeron]

It's totally worth the drive. I've been to every Honda Grand Prix of Alabama since it's inception, except this year sadly. Barber does have some premium seating, I think, but I've never paid for it and don't miss it.

The most popular place to sit is on the backstretch. From there you can see the horseshoe and probably 60 percent of the track. Also you're in the trees so there is plenty of shade. I also like to sit high up on turn 15 and you get a good view of the track. Others swear by turns one and two. There really aren't very many bad places to watch a race at Barber. I would recommend not trying to leave super early. There is only one road into and out of Barber and so it gets jammed after the race. If you have pit passes you can get into the pits after the race and watch the teams pack up or some victory lane celebrations if you get over there soon enough.

[LowRyter]

Get there a day early and spend it in the museum. It's the most beautiful racetrack in the country.

[BuddyCarSeries]

It's great, I've been every year except the first. There's really no great place to sit, but turn 2 on the grass hill and on the backside where everyone sits near the "roller coaster" is another good one. I'm in the paddock though. Yeah I don't see much of the race sometimes, but I LOVE being in the paddock and seeing the teams working. Another reason to go in the paddock is just to see all of the people up close. I mean me and Johnny Rutherford peed next to each other 2 years ago and Scott Dixon almost ran me over on his pit bike 3 years ago.

[BuddyCarSeries]

If you have pit passes you can get into the pits after the race and watch the teams pack up or some victory lane celebrations if you get over there soon enough.

I was the camera paning another inch from being on TV when in victory lane when RHR won last year.

[Dave Anderson]

...me and Johnny Rutherford peed next to each other 2 years ago...

Thanks for sharing, but please no pictures.

[Bullwinkle]

It's the most beautiful racetrack in the country.

Be careful. There are a lot of Road America fans around these parts.

[shakespeare]

Montgomery. Dreadful town.

[Racewknd]

Montgomery. Dreadful town.

I actually was thinking the same thing when I saw OP...

[IndycarAddictus]

As far as where to watch, all the places above are good. You can hop the tram that runs around the park and move anytime you want. About the only place that gets really crowded is along the wooded area of the backstretch.
For sunday only you need a parking pass to park on-sight. If you want to save the money you can park at the nearby mall (shops of grand river), the track runs free shuttle buses from there.
Getting a paddock pass is great, trying to watch that much racing from different areas around the track and do time in the paddock will make for a very busy but fun day. Paddock access is just like BuddyCarSeries says it is.
If you are looking to save a few bucks, bring a backpack stocked with the drinks and food. Food and drinks at the track are not outrageous but are typical event prices. Bring something to sit on if you don't like sitting in grass. Bring some plastic to sit on and a poncho if there is a chance of a spring shower that day. If you burn in the sun, you need sunscreen.
The museum is excellent, but you may want to push it off to another trip if you are trying to make this a day trip.
Barber is a great track to go too, you definitely should take advantage of this opportunity.

[wwhitby]

It's definately worth the drive up on Sunday. I live north of Montgomery, and it takes us about 90 minutes to get to Leeds. Depending on where you are in Montgomery, it may take another 15-30 minutes to get up there.

Try to get up there around 8am or 9am at the latest. That will give you time to hang out in the fan zone, visit all the vendors, visit the paddock (paddock passes are extra) and take a shuttle around the track to see it. We got there late last year and just missed meeting Arie Luyendyk. BTW, you can either park at the Shops at Grand River (outlet mall north of I-20) and take the free shuttle to/from the track or pay for parking in the track complex. My son and I did the shuttle last year, and even though it was packed with people, they did a great job moving everyone as quick as possible. If you take the shuttle, be advised that space for chairs, coolers, etc, on the bus is limited. I'm paying for parking this year in the complex, just because my elderly father is going with us.

We sit on the hill between turns 2 & 3. We each take a folding chair and split a cooler full of water and snacks. There is a jumbo tron on your left as you face the track. There is no shade there, so plan on long sleeves and long pants if you burn - sunscreen only seems to slow down the sunburn, not prevent it. I also take a $10 Sony pocket radio to listen to the race FM broadcast.

BTW, be careful in Montgomery. There are places you really don't want to go. PM me if you need more information on Montgomery or the race.

[dakinca]

Me and a few buddies just bought our tickets. 3 day GA's. Never been there before have some questions, if anyone is interested in helping let me know and I'll PM you. Thanks!

[SteveK51]

PM coming...

[flyfishin]

Barber is the Sh1t. My favorite race weekend of the year after Indy. Like a PGA Tour Event with Indycars.