Bantam boost at Bonanza
Adding to the amazing line up for the 2018 Shannons Insurance Broadford Bike Bonanza, will be a display of racing BSA Bantams, several of which are owned by Ross Martin, who has been a tireless worker for the event over the years. Ross has three Bantams in road race trim, plus a scrambles version, and Motorcycling Australia owns the famous Harold Carter Special, a water-cooled version that achieved considerable success. Bantams formed the backbone of the sport in the post-war Ultra Lightweight class and home tuners like Bert Flood and Eric Walsh achieved amazing performance from the simple engines. Since the announcement that the SIBBB will feature a tribute to the Vincent-HRD marque, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, the organisers have been swamped with enquiries and expressions of interest. “The Vincent side will be huge,” says committee member Michael Pettifer. “There will be literally dozens of road-going Vincents, plus racers and of course the always-popular speedway outfits. We had two of these outfits, both owned by Jon Heaviside, at the recent Phillip Island Classic, and each time we started one up people came from everywhere. There’s nothing quite like the sound of four of these on the speedway track together.” The 2018 Shannons Insurance Broadford Bike Bonanza takes place at the State Motorcycling Complex, Broadford Victoria over Easter weekend, 29-31 March. See www.ma.org.au for details or call Rachelle Wilkinson on 0408 652877.