20TH ANNUAL BARBER VINTAGE FESTIVAL
BARBER VINTAGE MOTORSPORTS MUSEUM SEMINARS
Mark your calendars: The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum has scheduled four seminars per day on Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4, in conjunction with the 20th annual Barber Vintage Festival. Each seminar will be one hour long, and questions will be welcomed. Continue reading to learn more and to plan your weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.
MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPION KENNY ROBERTS JR.
Moderator: Kevin Cameron
Friday: 10 a.m. Conservation Area
In the 76-year history of the FIM Grand Prix Road Racing World Championship, only one father and son have both won premier-class world titles. American Kenny Leroy Roberts tallied three consecutive 500cc titles in 1978, ’79, and ’80 with Yamaha. Kenny Lee Roberts, affectionately known as “Junior,” earned his own reward in 2000 on a Suzuki. Roberts Jr. discusses the benefits and drawbacks of his famous surname with Kevin Cameron.
Kevin Cameron is a respected technical writer, best-known for his work with first Cycle and later Cycle World magazine. A former engine builder and race tuner, Cameron has a unique ability to explain complex mechanical concepts in an accessible and insightful way, making him a trusted source for both enthusiasts and industry professionals, and earning him a reputation as one of the leading voices in motorcycle journalism.
2025 GRAND MARSHAL ERALDO FERRACCI
Moderator: Cook Neilson
Friday: 11 a.m. Conservation Area
Eraldo Ferracci began his motorcycling journey in the service department of a dealership in his hometown of Terni, Italy. He was exposed to racing at an early age, both as a mechanic and a rider, eventually rising to the top of both fields. After moving his family to the U.S., Ferracci established “Fast By Ferracci” and developed a reputation for building reliable machines that won races. Cook Neilson explores a lifetime of on-the-job training with Ferracci.
Cook Neilson is a former journalist and motorcycle racer, best known for his decade-long tenure as editor of Cycle magazine and for winning the 1977 AMA Superbike race at Daytona International Speedway on “Old Blue,” a Ducati 750 SS hot-rodded by his great friend and colleague Phil Schilling. Neilson has continued to leave a lasting impact on the motorcycle community through his writing and advocacy for the sport.
ICONS: PAOLO MARTIN AND LINO TONTI
Moderator: Ultan Guilfoyle
Friday: 1 p.m. Barber Advanced Design Center
Many enthusiasts recognize motorcycles from Moto Guzzi’s most iconic era, but few know the people who shaped those machines. Pierre Terblanche shines a light on two of these “hidden” figures: Paolo Martin and Lino Tonti. Martin was a stylist, who trained at Michelotti, Pininfarina, and Ghia. Tonti was an engineer, steeped in aeronautical and mechanical precision, coming from Benelli, Mondial, Bianchi, Aermacchi, Paton, and Linto.
Pierre Terblanche is a renowned South African designer, celebrated for his innovative and sometimes controversial creations. He is best known for his work with Ducati, where he played a key role in a number of iconic models, such as the 999, Supermono, and Sportclassics. Terblanche continues to influence motorcycling with his bold vision. We are proud to have Pierre as a resident mentor in the Barber Advanced Design Center.
Ultan Guilfoyle is film maker, curator, and writer, who began his career at the BBC, where he produced music and arts programs, including the rock show, “Whistle Test,” and the 1985 rock concert, “Live Aid.” Guilfoyle co-curated the landmark design exhibition, “The Art of the Motorcycle at Guggenheim Museum,” and “The Motorcycle: Design-Art-Desire,” at QAGOMA, Brisbane, Australia. Guilfoyle has authored four books: “Spoon,” “Phaidon Design Classics,” “The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire,” and current bestseller, “Guitar: The Shape of Sound.”
VEHICLE CONSERVATION: ALLY DOMAR
Moderator: Ultan Guilfoyle
Friday: 2 p.m. Conservation Area
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, exhibition, and history of motorcycles, vintage vehicles, and motorsports. Over the years, the staff has restored a number of classic bikes and cars to running condition, and, in some cases, to competition-ready shape. Ultan Guilfoyle is joined by Conservation Manager Ally Domar to discuss the care and treatment of these machines to ensure their long-term survival.
Ally Domar is an accomplished automotive and motorcycle restoration specialist with decades of hands-on experience. She has also served as a judge at leading concours events nationwide. Domar holds a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Restoration and Motorcycle Restoration Technology from McPherson College, as well as dual Associate of Applied Science degrees in Automotive Body Repair and Automotive Technology from Waubonsee Community College.
Ultan Guilfoyle is film maker, curator, and writer, who began his career at the BBC, where he produced music and arts programs, including the rock show, “Whistle Test,” and the 1985 rock concert, “Live Aid.” Guilfoyle co-curated the landmark design exhibition, “The Art of the Motorcycle at Guggenheim Museum,” and “The Motorcycle: Design-Art-Desire,” at QAGOMA, Brisbane, Australia. Guilfoyle has authored four books: “Spoon,” “Phaidon Design Classics,” “The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire,” and current bestseller, “Guitar: The Shape of Sound.”
2025 GRAND MARSHAL ERALDO FERRACCI
Moderator: Kevin Cameron
Saturday: 9 a.m. Conservation Area
When he was a young man in his native Italy, Eraldo Ferracci would ride into the country on a motorcycle, a stack of engineering books strapped to the seat. After logging some hard miles, he would stop under a shady tree and study. That focused yet informal education paid dividends years later in the form of AMA and World Superbike titles with Ducati machinery. “When I need to understand what’s happening,” says Kevin Cameron, “I look for Ferracci.”
Kevin Cameron is a respected technical writer, best-known for his work with first Cycle and later Cycle World magazine. A former engine builder and race tuner, Cameron has a unique ability to explain complex mechanical concepts in an accessible and insightful way, making him a trusted source for both enthusiasts and industry professionals, and earning him a reputation as one of the leading voices in motorcycle journalism.
ICONS: PAOLO MARTIN AND LINO TONTI
Moderator: Ultan Guilfoyle
Saturday: 1 p.m. Barber Advanced Design Center
Many enthusiasts recognize motorcycles from Moto Guzzi’s most iconic era, but few know the people who shaped those machines. Pierre Terblanche shines a light on two of these “hidden” figures: Paolo Martin and Lino Tonti. Martin was a stylist, who trained at Michelotti, Pininfarina, and Ghia. Tonti was an engineer, steeped in aeronautical and mechanical precision, coming from Benelli, Mondial, Bianchi, Aermacchi, Paton, and Linto.
Pierre Terblanche is a renowned South African designer, celebrated for his innovative and sometimes controversial creations. He is best known for his work with Ducati, where he played a key role in a number of iconic models, such as the 999, Supermono, and Sportclassics. Terblanche continues to influence motorcycling with his bold vision. We are proud to have Pierre as a resident mentor in the Barber Advanced Design Center.
Ultan Guilfoyle is film maker, curator, and writer, who began his career at the BBC, where he produced music and arts programs, including the rock show, “Whistle Test,” and the 1985 rock concert, “Live Aid.” Guilfoyle co-curated the landmark design exhibition, “The Art of the Motorcycle at Guggenheim Museum,” and “The Motorcycle: Design-Art-Desire,” at QAGOMA, Brisbane, Australia. Guilfoyle has authored four books: “Spoon,” “Phaidon Design Classics,” “The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire,” and current bestseller, “Guitar: The Shape of Sound.”
2024 GRAND MARSHAL KENNY ROBERTS
Moderator: Cook Neilson
Saturday: 2 p.m. Conservation Area
When Cycle magazine Editor Cook Neilson first interviewed Kenny Roberts in the mid-1970s, he admitted that he “expected to find some quick-wrist kid who just gets out there and skids ’er around.” Instead, he found an intellectual of motorcycle racing who could speak clearly about exactly what he was doing and how it worked. Now, some 50 years later, Neilson sits down with Roberts to discuss racing, riders, and team ownership past, present, and in the future.
Cook Neilson is a former journalist and motorcycle racer, best known for his decade-long tenure as editor of Cycle magazine and for winning the 1977 AMA Superbike race at Daytona International Speedway on “Old Blue,” a Ducati 750 SS hot-rodded by his great friend and colleague Phil Schilling. Neilson has continued to leave a lasting impact on the motorcycle community through his writing and advocacy for the sport.
PETER EGAN: LANDINGS IN AMERICA
Moderator: Matthew Miles
Saturday: 3 p.m. Conservation Area
While several prized bound compilations of Peter Egan’s columns and feature writing produced for Cycle World and Road & Track magazines have been published, “Landings in America” is the first book from the beloved automotive and motorcycle journalist. Former colleague Matthew Miles quizzes Egan about the cross-country flight that he and wife Barbara took in 1987 in the tandem-seat cockpit of a 65-horsepower 1945 Piper Cub that eventually led to the book.
Matthew Miles studied journalism before embarking on a career in motorcycling. Following a summer internship at Cycle magazine under the tutelage of the late Phil Schilling, he joined Cycle World magazine in 1991, serving its readership for 29 years, 20 as the managing editor. Miles has edited two books, “Superbike: An Illustrated Early History,” co-authored by Kevin Cameron and John Owens, and “50th Anniversary Honda Gold Wing.”
