2017 Shannons Insurance Broadford Bike Bonanza

Now an established event on the Australian motorcycling calendar, the annual Shannons Insurance Broadford Bike Bonanza (SIBBB) turned it on again this past Easter, with the big field of motorcycling machinery covering everything from Speedway and Road Racing to Motocross and Enduro. 
Hosted by Motorcycling Australia, the twin themes for this year’s SIBBB were a celebration of all things Ducati and recalling the Romsey grasstrack era, but all makes and models were welcome in this festival of pre-1990 motorcycles and motorcycling. And another great thing about the event is that it’s a non-competitive event – “no racing, just riding” as the slogan says.
That meant a truly diverse range of bikes and sidecar outfits could be seen cutting laps and cruising between the various circuits that make up the venue for the event - the State Motorcycle Sports Complex at Broadford.
It wasn’t just bikes and riding, though. This year’s SIBBB also featured static motorcycle displays, a swap meet and a star-studded dinner amongst the attractions, with those stars including Troy Bayliss, Jason Crump and Kevin Magee.
On-site camping meant entrants could make a weekend of it and chew the fat with fellow enthusiasts in the downtime between their track sessions.
For spectators, the appeal lies not only in the diversity of bikes on show, but the proximity of all the Broadford circuits. So if you’d seen enough classic motocrossers dotting around the MX track, a short walk had you at the speedway circuit or alongside the road race track.

Red Fest
As mentioned, Ducati was the theme this year, which saw a big number of the Italian machines, both on track and on show, including a contingent who made the trip over from South Australia to be part of the event.
JUST BIKES was there on the Easter Sunday and spotted plenty of Italian machinery on track, including 750SS and 900SS machines, an MHR replica and exotic Alchemy from Vee Two, while on track and on display was the ’77 750 SS campaigned by Mike Hailwood and Jim Scaysbrook at the 1977 Castrol Six Hour Race.
Also in the MA display, there was a stunning 250 Elite in fully-restored condition, the ex-Scaysbrook NCR Ducati racer and Leon Haslam’s 999 racer, to name a few.
Parked nearby, a lineup of the Bologna machines included an ’80s-era 600 SL Pantah, 900SS and an early-’70s 750 Sport that the owner had obviously been tweaking, as it wore ‘905’ badges. 
A very tidy 750 GT was spotted in the road race garages, with an equally smart 250 Mach 1 nearby, while we also captured a ’71 RT 450 observing the MX action, fresh from a run on the Vinduro circuit. 
The ‘cheeky’ award would have to go to the Honda postie bike wearing ‘Postie Corse’ stickers in the style of the Ducati Corse logo!

From the Prez
Motorcycling Australia (Acting) President, Peter Goddard, has been a participant at several 'Bonanzas' over the years and admits it’s one of his favourite events on the calendar. 
"This event has proven to be exceptional, with an incredible and rich history not only of Australian motorcyclists and their motorcycles, but of Motorcycling Australia itself. With all the familiar machines and faces, it is like waking up thirty years ago!" Goddard quipped.
"Some of the bikes here, not only on track or in the pit garages, but next to patron’s tents and trailers around the complex were incredible. The Bonanza has a strong following nation-wide, and will only grow larger and stronger as the years go on.
"It is so important for us to have a company like Shannons on board, because they are deeply involved in grass roots recreational motorcycling, as are the majority of our members.”

Shannons Support
Belinda Douglas, Shannons Melbourne Business Development Manager, shared her passion and commitment for the SIBBB, adding: "In our eyes, the Bonanza gets bigger and better each year. The 'Ducati All Stars' on track proved to be a hit all weekend, and it was amazing to see the rapid pace of the Ducati Superbikes on track!
"Because we support many classic events nation-wide, there are always familiar faces and some are just like long lost friends when we bump into them again. Almost as if it's an annual reunion! It’s not just the people that are familiar, the vehicles are also like long lost friends.
"At the 2017 Bonanza, we did receive a lot of walk-ups to the Shannons display, mostly by people whose friends had told them about their experience with Shannons. 
"The effort that Motorcycling Australia and Motorcycling Victoria are going to across the motorcycling community is such a great fit for Shannons and we feel that partnerships as (the Bonanza) are mutually beneficial. It’s the direction we all want to keep going in." 

Another Winner
While spectator numbers were a little down on the Sunday, entrant numbers were healthy across the weekend, which led 2017 SIBBB Event Coordinator, Rachelle Wilkinson, to be thrilled with this year’s event. 
"The partnership between Shannons and Motorcycling Australia is a great fit. [Shannons] have been integral in making the event as fantastic as it is,” Wilkinson said.
“It was more than just riding and bikes - it's the whole atmosphere that simply needs to be experienced to be believed and Shannons understands that." 

Words: Mike Ryan and Motorcycling Australia
Photos: Mike Ryan