Pelle Granquist lining up at the 2010 HBBB

While at the event, to be held at the State Motorcycle Complex at Broadford, Granquist will perform demonstration rides on a replica of his championship-winning 1978 390cc Husqvarna. Born and raised in Sweden, Granquist came to the attention of Australian motorcyclists in 1978 when, at the tender age of 22, he almost took the famous 'Mr Motocross' Series, riding a Husqvarna 390.
Born in the town of Huskvarna, home of Husqvarna, Granquist dreamed of riding for the factory. He began riding Enduro on a KTM 125cc before trading to a Husky 125cc and riding in the local Motocross. After finishing college and completing his stint of compulsory national service, Granquist was ready for a new challenge when a request came through from the Australian Husky importer, John Harris, for a rider to compete in Australian Motocross. With nothing more than high school English and a sense of adventure, Granquist arrived in Sydney where he was rewarded twice over - firstly with the chance to ride in the Australian Motocross scene, and secondly, meeting the woman who would one day become his wife.
Granquist went on to win the 250cc and 500cc Australian Motocross titles in 1978 (his debut year) and 1979 as well as narrowly missing out on two Mr Motocross crowns. However, his dream was always to ride the International Grand Prix circuit, so in 1980 Granquist returned to Sweden with his wife in tow, and rode a Husqvarna in the 500cc Grand Prix Championship until 1982.
In 1983, Granquist received an offer from Hans Appelgren, who had taken over Australian Husqvarna Imports from John Harris, to come and ride Motocross in Australia again. However, with a knee injury plaguing his MX comeback, Granquist was forced to return to his Enduro roots instead. In 1984, onboard a 400cc Husqvarna, Granquist took second overall behind John Hand at the Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) at Mackay, QLD, and helped secure the trade team award in the process.
In 1984, Granquist also won a gold medal at the Dutch International Six Day Enduro (ISDE), coming fifth in his class, in addition to assisting the Australian Motocross des Nations team at the event held in Sweden. The following year, he returned to KTM, opened his 'Pro Rider' shop, and proceeded to dominate the A4DE, but a broken hand in the Spanish ISDE meant he was lucky to just finish the race, let alone secure any medals. In 1986, Granquist contested all Australian events and the Italian ISDE, scored his second gold medal and a final moto Motocross win before hanging up the boots.
In 1994, the Granquist family returned to Sweden. Since 2005, they have spent half of each year in Sweden and Australia respectively.
Granquist was on hand to officially launch the 2010 HBBB on January 21st, where he chatted to event organizer, Peter Drakeford, about his history in motorcycle sport and his enthusiasm to once again swing a leg over a classic Husqvarna. Enthusiasts jumped at the chance to get Pelle to sign a replica 390 Husky, as well as Husqvarna merchandise and other items.
More information about the event is available on the MA website: www.ma.org.au/hbbb