Updated: Racing Resumes at Barber Motorsports Park

Henny Ray Abrams | May 3, 2009

The SuperSport race at Barber Motorsports Park has been shortened and re-scheduled for 4:00 p.m. CDT after race officials determined the track was suitable for wet weather.Originally scheduled for 3:00 p.m., between the Daytona SportBike and American Superbike races, the SuperSport race was moved to the front of the program and shortened from 17 to 12 laps.Ealier in the day, all on-track activities at the Honda Superbike Classic were put on hold because of extreme weather at Barber Motorsports Park west of Birmingham, Alabama. But the rain has stopped and the SuperSport field was called to the line.Race officials had cleared the grid at about 1:30 p.m., while the Daytona Sportbikes were on the hot pit lane for the fan walk and opening ceremonies. The officials advised the teams to not only remove themselves and their motorcycles, but also to remove their pop-up tents and pit equipment. Most teams also began dismantling the awnings on their team haulers. Corner marshals were recalled from their posts.Darkness then descended on the track, with heavy rains accompanied by thunder and lightning. The National Weather Forecast issued a tornado warning which was in effect until 2:30 p.m. for East Central Jefferson and Northern Shelby Counties. The warning said that “the tornado will be near…Barber Motorsports Park by 2:10 p.m. CDT.” The time passed without a tornado, but rain continued to fall.The weather wasn’t expected to appreciably improve, but recent radar maps show a likelihood of no further inclement weather.