Barber Motorsports Museum and Racetrack

The Barber Motorsports Museum and Racetrack, founded by George Barber, is a notable location in Birmingham, Alabama. George Barber's father started a dairy company, which was later sold to Dean Foods for around $500 million. With the proceeds, George Barber established the museum and racetrack. The facility includes the largest motorcycle collection in the world with 1,000 to 2,000 vehicles and a world-class racetrack that hosts events like Rolex-sponsored Formula One races, drawing visitors from Europe and beyond. The establishment has greatly benefited the local community, significantly boosting its profile and economy 1 2 .

Sam Parr highlighted the setup of museums like this as nonprofits, allowing rich individuals to display their collections in a tax-advantageous way. By creating nonprofit museums, owners can reduce their tax burden through donor-advised funds while offering public access to their collections 3 .

Furthermore, Sam Parr shared an experience with the Skip Barber Racing School, a business associated with the Barber name but not directly part of the museum. This driving school, revamped by an ex-cop after buying it out of bankruptcy, generates significant revenue and aims for expansion 4 .

These facilities create unique experiences and attractions that contribute to a city's identity and economic growth, turning places like Birmingham, Alabama, into notable destinations 5 .