BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – May 22, 2025 — In recognition of a lifetime of exceptional contributions to motorcycling as a racer, an engineer, and a team owner, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is delighted to announce that Eraldo Ferracci will serve as grand marshal for the 20th annual Barber Vintage Festival, Friday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 5.
Ferracci began his journey as a teenager working at a local dealer in his hometown of Terni, Italy. Within a few years, he was crewing for Gilera factory racer Libero Liberati. Ferracci soon began competing himself, eventually winning an amateur 175cc title in 1958 and the ’63 125cc Italian national crown on a factory Motobi.
In the late 1960s, Ferracci was instrumental in bringing small-displacement single-cylinder Benellis to an emerging American motorcycle market through mail-order catalogs. Always a competitor, Ferracci soon discovered drag racing. Combining his riding and tuning skills, he found success in a straight line hopping up multi-cylinder Hondas.
Ferracci and his family ultimately settled in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia suburb, where in 1980 he established “Fast by Ferracci,” the brand’s tricolore oval soon recognized worldwide for its range of high-performance products. When Ferracci moved into road racing, he quickly developed a reputation of building reliable machines that won races.
Ferracci has touched lives on both sides of the pit wall. Doug Polen, during an exceptional three-year run, scored back-to-back FIM Superbike World Championships and the 1993 AMA Superbike title on Fast by Ferracci Ducati 888s. In 1995, three-time world champ Freddie Spencer won his final AMA Superbike race riding a Fast by Ferracci Ducati 916.
When Josh Herrin wrapped up his 2024 MotoAmerica Superbike title, the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team and Ducati North America honored Ferracci by unveiling special “Fast by Ferracci” graphics on Herrin’s Panigale V4 R reminiscent of the livery applied 30 years earlier to Troy Corser’s Ferracci-fettled AMA Superbike-winning Ducati 888.
Barber also has a special relationship with Ferracci. With 1991 AMA Pro Twins GP2 champ Stephen Mathews at the controls, the Barber’s Dairy Race Team won three AHRMA titles on a Fast by Ferracci Ducati, as well as the 1993 WERA Unlimited Twins Expert National Championship. Mathews’ winning 888 Corsa is part of the museum’s permanent collection.
Details for this year’s Barber Vintage festival will be finalized in the coming weeks. Attendees can expect unique fan experiences, including BMW Motorrad Days Americas, Isle of Triumph, demo rides and new-product unveils, plus gravity-defying stunt shows, a kids’ zone, live music, and more crowd favorites, such as the “Wall of Death.”
Last year, more than 500 vendors participated in the largest vintage motorcycle swap meet in the country. Located a short walk from the museum, the three-day event boasts a tremendous selection of rare machinery, difficult-to-find America, European, and Japanese parts, plus historic memorabilia, drawing collectors and hobbyists from far and wide.
Fans will be treated throughout the weekend to AHRMA competition on Barber Motorsports Park’s world-class 17-turn, 2.38-mile road course, as well as at the dedicated flat-track and motocross venues. The festival will maintain its free-entry policy for children 15 years of age and under with a ticketed adult, making for an affordable outing for families.
Friday’s evening’s exclusive annual “Motorcycles by Moonlight” charity fundraiser, with its wine tastings, five-course meal, and live auction in the museum’s “Grand Atrium,” is once again expected to sell out. Charity funds raised will be earmarked for the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum education programs led by Dr. Liz Johnson.
Speaking of the museum, home to the largest motorcycle collection in the world, special events are planned throughout the weekend, such as behind-the-scenes tours of the restoration shop and engine fire-ups that draw thousands of visitors each day. Daily seminars will feature a variety of guest speakers offering historical insights and technical discussions.
Tickets for the 2025 Barber Vintage Festival are available for purchase at barbermuseum.org/barber-vintage-festival
About the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit located at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024, the museum focuses on various aspects of motorsports design, from displaying motorcycles andcars spanning over 100 years of production to the Barber Advanced Design Center—a high-tech workspace for design exploration. The museum embraces the culture of motorsports enthusiasts by hosting programs such as Barber Design Camp and events such as Barber Vintage Festival. With five floors housing 1,800 motorcycles, over 60 Lotus race cars, and numerous vintage and iconic vehicles, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is the ultimate family-friendly environment for education, inspiration, and exploration with the mission to preserve, interpret and exhibit the history of motorcycles and vintage vehicles in motorsports. The public is welcome, and more information is available at www.BarberMuseum.org.