Buzz Box Old Bike news
The 12th running of the Shannons Insurance Broadford Bike Bonanza kicks off 7am on Good Friday, April 10 and continues until 2pm on Easter Sunday April 12. This year’s theme, ‘American Iron’ will see a vast array of US-built machinery spanning almost a complete century, on display and on-track.
Following last year’s blockbuster Speedway Spectacular, Dirt Track organiser Rick Wason has amassed a sea of talent for the oval events. Stars include Kiwi Mitch Shirra whose spectacular riding was such a hit in 2019, plus former World Under 21 champion Steve Baker, Jason Lyons, and Eddie Argall. Some of the other invited personalities yet to confirm for this year’s event are Phil Crump, Phil Herne, Gary Flood, Cameron Woodward, Leigh Adams, Jason Stewart, Craig Boyce and Todd Wiltshire.
The speedway sidecars will once again be out in force, with legend Dennis Skinner returning to the track on a Vincent outfit. Denis Nash, Peter Tolley, Doug Cotterall and Rory McEnroe will also be back, and thanks to Jon Heavyside once again for rallying around so that the Vincent Sidecars will be a huge part of this great event.
Also this year will see the return of the 500cc
Grass Track sidecars with Chris Barton and hopefully John Coleman and crew putting on a fantastic display.
There will be plenty of American Iron Flattrackers, and other bikes of note coming are the TZ250 of
Gary Chasemore, the TR3 of Les Lewis and TR500 magnificently bought back to life by Leon Edwards. However the rarest and most spectacular machine at the Speedway Spectacular is likely to be ‘Black Erna’, the 120hp, 1000cc V-twin Weslake engine Longtracker built in the 1980s by tuning wizard Otto Lantenhammer. Weighing just 120kg, the machine could accelerate from 0 to 170km/h in just 6 seconds. The Hagon-framed bike is now owned by Nick Higgs and his wife Sharon and will hopefully be ridden by Mitch Shirra at the SIBBB. Nick is also bringing along his MX, Norton and EML Wasp sidecars.
For 2020, the ever-popular Gala Dinner moves back into Broadford town itself, to the main hall with seating for 120 people. Cost is $50 per person and the evening will feature interviews with many past stars. Tickets, camping, pit garages and entries are now open at www.ma.org.au