V8 Moto Guzzi headlines Bonanza

Perhaps the greatest racing motorcycle ever built, the 500cc V8 Moto Guzzi that raced briefly in 1956 and 1957, will be the star attraction at the 2016, Penrite Broadford Bonanza, to be held on Easter weekend, March 26 and 27. And the V8 will be accompanied by at least five other famous racing Guzzis, including a Gambalunga (“Long Legs”) V-twin 500, a Bilcilindrica 500 V-twin from the ‘thirties, one of the all-conquering 350 singles as raced to the 1957 World Championship by Australian Keith Campbell, a fuel-injected supercharged 250, and a similar supercharged 250 with carburettors. The air-lift of these priceless machines is being facilitated by Teo Lamers, a Moto Guzzi dealer and collector of long standing in the Netherlands, who is in the process of moving to Australia. All the bikes are runners and will be demonstrated on the Easter weekend – the sound of the straight-pipe V8 should be worth the price of admission alone. Entries are now open for the 2016 event, either from the Motorcycling Australia website or by contacting organiser Peter Drakeford on (03) 9684 0515 or by email peter@ma.org.au. “We have also opened the booking for garages in the road race pit area,” says Peter, “and these are always in high demand so I encourage everyone to book early.” Following the resignations of Motorcycling Australia Museum & Heritage Committee founding members David White, Lindsay Urquhart, Jim Scaysbrook and Ron Kivovitch, new members of the Bonanza organising committee have been appointed. Leanne Knowles becomes the chairman, with Ray Fisher, John Clancy, Ross Martin and Phil Watkins joining the committee.