Wednesday, May 3, 2006

ALABAMA - Motorsports Hall of Fame

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
6030 Barber Motorsports Parkway
Birmingham AL 35094
(205) 699-7275
Features: More than 900 vintage and modern motorcycles -- believed to be the largest such collection in North america -- as well as a collection of Lotus and other race cars. Approximately 500 motorcycles on display at any given time. Bikes range from 1904 to current-year production, from 16 countries that represent 143 marques.

International Motorsports Hall of Fame
Speedway Boulevard, adjacent Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega AL
(256) 362-5002
Features: The IMHOF's Motorsports Museum spans three buildings and an enclosed courtyard. Its collection of racing vehicles and memorabilia from 1902 to the present is valued at more than $15 million. Among the items on display are the fastest boat in the world, the rare Ford Talladega Torino that Alabama native Donnie Allison raced in the Winston Cup series, the STP Dodge Charger that Richard Petty drove to a career-record 31 victories, and the Budweiser Rocket car that was the first to break the sound barrier on land.

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
Visitors Center
1 Mercedes Drive
Tuscaloosa AL 35490
(888) 286-8762
Features: Tours will resume early next year, when visitors will be able to take a virtual tour of the manufacturing process, and see vintage Mercedes, Benz and Daimler vehicles in Daimler's only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant.