Star riders flock to Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza

With entries only recently opened, there has been a tremendous response, with lots of star names signing up for the on-track demonstrations. Already entered are names like John Woodley, who will ride his Bathurst-winning Suzuki RG500, Ron Angel on the ex-Kenny Blake 'Coca Cola' Yamaha TZ350, former GP rider Vic Soussan (Yamaha TZ250), Ron Tingate who will hopefully be aboard his revolutionary OSSA single, Steve Oszko on a Manx Norton, Bob Rosenthal on the original Norton Atlas on which he began his career, Ian 'Buster' Saunders on his Morbidelli 125 twin, Peter Jones on a Suzuki TR500, and Lyall Williamson who will ride a G50 Matchless and display the 500cc V-4 Yamaha/Seeley that he constructed in the 1970s. Brothers Alan and Graeme Osborne, as well as Alan's son Donnie will all be there - Alan on a rare Honda CR93 125cc twin and Graeme on a Manx Norton. Former Castrol Six Hour star Joe Eastmure will make the trip from Queensland with the Suzuki 315 that received the winners' flag in the 1972 race.

Entries Open for the 'Bonanza'
Track sessions are filling fast for Broadford at Easter, with a huge variety of bikes already entered. The Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza is an ideal opportunity to get some track time without the pressures associated with actual racing, and this applies to motocross, short circuit, trials, enduro, and speedway as well as road racing. Every circuit at the Broadford complex will be in constant use over Easter Saturday and Sunday. Entry forms are available from the MA web site; www.ma.org.au.

Masses of Metisses
With two motocross venues operating - a new natural grass circuit as well as the main motocross track - there will be plenty of off-road action at Broadford over Easter. The featured marque is the Rickman Metisse, and organises expect up to 30 machines in various forms. These include the Matchless single and Triumph twin-engined varieties, the later unit-BSA, and the 'Petite Metisse' - the Bultaco-engined 250s that caused such a sensation in the mid-1960s. One of the original local stars of the Metisse era, John Burrows, will be attending the event from his home in South Australia, while Geoff Taylor will be reunited with the Triumph Metisse on which he won the Victorian Grand National in 1966. The Triumph is now owned by Motorcycling Australia, along with another famous Metisse, the Matchless-engined version campaigned with great success in Britain and on the Continent by the late Roy East. The East machine has been the subject of a complete restoration and Broadford will mark its public debut, with a yet-to-be-announced famous rider in the saddle.

The Night of Nights
The social event of the Broadford weekend will be the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening, conducted in a specially erected, white silk lined marquee. There will be a silver service four course meal with wines from the award-winning Tabilk winery, followed by an interview with the weekend's star guest, Kel Carruthers. The dinner is sure to be a sell out so early bookings are essential.

For all enquiries about the Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza, contact the event coordinator, Peter Drakeford.