LEEDS, Ala. — The momentum of the Quad Lock Superbike Championship shifts to Birmingham, Alabama’s Barber Motorsports Park following a high-intensity season opener in Atlanta.
This year’s talented Superbike field has already dismantled expert predictions, leaving fans no clear title favorite.
As the celebration of “50 Years Of Superbike Racing,” continues, MotoAmerica welcomes AMA Hall of Famer Ben Spies as Grand Marshal at Barber Motorsports Park—the site of his iconic 2006 victory over Mat Mladin that launched his global career in motorcycle racing.
The three-time AMA Superbike champion, World Superbike title winner, and last American to stand atop a MotoGP podium now serves as team principal for Rahal Ducati Moto. “Elbowz” continues to impact the paddock by mentoring riders PJ Jacobsen, Kayla Yaakov, Alessandro Di Mario and Josh Herrin.
For those seeking a deeper connection to the sport’s heritage, the on-site Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum offers an unparalleled experience. Officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest motorcycle museum, the facility houses more than 1,800 vintage and contemporary motorcycles, representing over 100 years of production.
A centerpiece of the museum is the World Champions Exhibit, which showcases championship-winning motorcycles personally donated by both Kenny Roberts and Kenny Roberts Jr.
“We’re excited to continue ‘50 Years of Superbike Racing’ with round two at Barber Motorsports Park,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “The opening round is always exciting, with riders on new teams wanting a strong start to the season. But as we saw, there were many surprises in Atlanta, and we don’t have a clear favorite yet as we head into round two.
“Barber is a demanding track that tests a rider’s physical limits and a team’s technical ability to find the ultimate setup. It will be fun to see which teams can step up and take control, and I expect the intense competition in Alabama to deliver even more unpredictable results.”
One rider well-suited for these technical and physical demands is Mathew Scholtz, who enters Barber carrying confidence and the Quad Lock Superbike Championship points lead aboard his Strack Racing Yamaha YZF-R1. The South African has shown strong pace at the Alabama circuit throughout his career, and Barber’s flowing nature has historically fit his smooth riding style.
OrangeCat Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly also returns to a meaningful venue in his Superbike career. Barber was the site of the Floridian’s first Superbike podium, and the BMW M 1000 RR rider is targeting a breakthrough weekend that could firmly establish him among the early championship contenders. The technical demands of the 17-turn, 2.38-mile road course may play directly into Kelly’s strengths as one of the paddock’s most precise riders as he continues to gel with his new machine.
Few riders carry a stronger résumé at Barber than six-time premier-class title winner Cameron Beaubier, boasting eight career wins at the Birmingham circuit. As the Warhorse HSBK Ducati Flo4Law rider is chasing a record-tying seventh season title, Alabama presents him with an opportunity to break AMA Hall of Famer Mat Mladins record of nine total wins at Barber Motorsports Park.
