It’s that time of the year again: The Barber Vintage Festival. For classic and vintage enthusiasts, the festival is the big one, the one not to be missed.

Last year’s event was the biggest so far, but anticipation for this year’s event is running high with records already being broken! One record in particular will be important to anyone searching for that elusive part to finish off a restoration, and that is the swap-meet.

All 450 places for vendors have sold out! So if you are in the market for a special part, or a complete bike, head on down to Lot E.

The festival officially gets underway on Friday the 10th of October when the gates open at 7-30am. However, the AHRAM credential building will be open at  6am to 9am.

The schedule and layout of the event is similar to last year's with on-track classic and vintage racing beings complemented by various shows and of course the famous Barber museum—if you’ve not had the chance to visit the museum, it is a must-see for any motorcycle enthusiast, with bikes on display cover every era and most manufacturers.

Getting around the festival is easy. While some enjoy a good walk, taking in the thousands of bikes parked all around the track, most will appreciate the free tram service that stops at all of the major displays and event locations. FYI: It is a good idea to be prepared for the elements as both Friday and Saturday are scheduled to have rain and thunderstorms, however Sunday should be another beautiful day with temperatures in the mid 80s.

(Tip: If you think it’s going to rain within the hour, make your way to the museum because it will get crowded when the rains come!)

Races

For classic racing fans, the Barber Motorsport track offers great viewing. (Personally, I like the view from the outside of turns 12 and 13.) And the festival will not disappoint with on-track activity each day for most of the classic and vintage classes. Keep an eye out for some of the bikes and riders featured on this site including Dennis Parrish, Pete Hokenstad and Honda GL guru Randall Washington with his supercharged mount.

Other on-track activities include a  Nick & Ernie Stunt Show, and if you’ve always wanted to ride around an international race track, sign up for the parade laps which are scheduled from 5 to 6pm each day.

Look out too for parade laps of former road race stars who will ride some of the perfectly prepared machines form the Barber Museum. They will also be signing autographs after the laps.          

Trials and Cross Country

For those looking for a slightly slower pace, the Speed & Sport Trial begins at 9am on Saturday near to the tent parking area (tram stop E3 or E4).

After a sighting lap at 12-30pm, the cross country competition – sponsored by Penton Racing Products - gets away at 1pm near the public parking area and tram stop E3.

Seminars

Ever wished you could ask an expert about a motorcycle problem you are having? This is your chance to not only meet some of the experts in the field, but also enjoy one of the popular seminars put on at the museum.

Friday 10th:           

• Two Guys and a Century of Knowledge, John Healey & Don Hutchinson on Friday from 10 to 11:30 am.
• Museum Seminar Restoration Shop Brazing & Welding, with Gas Impatient Creations from 1 to 2:30 pm
• VJMC Workshop Restoration Painting: Tips & Techniques with B. Whitley on Friday from 3 to 4 pm
• VJMC Workshop Master Restoration Steps & Processes with B. Mitchell from 4 to 5 pm

Saturday 11th Seminars

• Museum Seminar Restoration Shop Brazing & Welding, with Gas Impatient Creations from 9 to 10:30 am
• Motorcycle Classics Seminar Understanding the Economics of Motorcycle Restoration, Randall Washington from 10 to 11 am
• Museum Seminar Theater Two Guys and a Century of Knowledge, John Healey & Don Hutchinson from 10 to 11:30 am
• Motorcycle Classics Seminar Understanding and Improving Vintage Motorcycle Suspensions, Matt Wiley from 12 to 1:00 pm
• Museum Seminar Restoration Shop Vintage Motorcycle Sheet Metal, Bryan Fuller from 1 to 2:30 pm
• Motorcycle Classics Seminar Understanding Motorcycle Oil for Vintage Motorcycles with Spectro Oils 2 to 3 pm
• Museum Seminar Theater One from the Vault – HD VR1000 – with Steve Scheibe from 2 to 3:30 pm
• Museum Seminar Restoration Shop Brazing & Welding with Gas Impatient Creations 3 to 4:30 pm

As always, the VJMC will be well represented with displays and a parade lap during the lunch break on Sunday from 11 to 12:30.

The featured Marque this year will be Vincent, so there are bound to be many examples of these beautifully engineered British bikes in attendance.

Finally, if all of the above doesn’t get you excited, try a visit to the American Motor Drome Company’s Wall of Death. If you have never seen these crazy people riding around a wooden vertical wall at impossible speeds, you have missed one of the great American inventions. (Interestingly, to spice up the displays of wall of death riding in the 1920s, one group - Fearless Eggbert’s Lion Drome – used to take a live lion around in a sidecar, now that’s exciting!)