2016's Penrite Broadford Bike Bonanza was another hugely successful family friendly event that's becoming a permanent fixture on rider's calendars. Photography: Knackers BDP
The 2016 Penrite Broadford Bike Bonanza was another resounding success with record crowds for the event’s eighth year running and was held over the 26th and 27th of March, with this year’s event focusing on celebrating the Superbikes from 1973, as well as the broader Australian racers and racebikes of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.
Over 3,500 people attended (up on 2015) with many bikes on track across the Broadford complex all helping to cement the Penrite Broadford Bike Bonanza as a must-do on the Australian and now worldwide motorcycle enthusiasts calendar, with great weather ensuring an amazing experience for all.
Camp spots were snapped up quickly and old friends reunited for what promised to be yet another family friendly festival that organiser Peter Drakeford calls “The Tribe Gathering”, with early bookings essential to avoid disappointment!
2016 also saw the Moto Guzzi owners club leading the way with a huge display of V-twin Italian romance. Peter Drakeford (Organiser) saying, “I didn’t know there were that many Moto Guzzis in Australia! I reckon the entire Australian population of Moto Guzzisti were there on the weekend!
“The car park at the road course was just packed. We had to push the boundary of the car park further and further out. It was terrific.”
In 2016, the event was not short on for famous (and infamous!) visitors with former 500cc world title contender Kevin Magee in attendance, along with a raft of road, flat track and speedway legends that included Chris Watson, Tony Clarke, Gary Chasemore, Peter Goddard and Chris Kelly among many others.
Another person enjoying his day at the Bonanza was Victorian Federal Senator Ricky Muir who was right at home amongst the attendees and participants and noted that he’d have to, “Fix up the old DT175 and come along next year with the whole family!”
Winners of the “Longest journey to the event” were Italian Moto Guzzi enthusiasts Antonio Frigerio and Pino Todero who not only made the trip to Broadford, but brought a raft of bikes that were on display at the road arena.
Antonio confided, “It’s been a very, very good time and I have been so surprised! The country is beautiful and the people have been fantastic!”
The V8 Guzzis on display drew huge, admiring crowds who also checked out the Moto Guzzi club owner’s area, where tips and tales about maintenance and restoration were traded.
And while there was a lot to see at the road course, the motocross circuit had a huge number of bikes on track with the pre 80-85-90 bikes on show with riders not holding back and, to the delight of manyÂ, in riding gear from the era as well!
Over at the speedway complex it was a festival of flat track running late into the day. This venue had a huge participation rate as many spectators rotated onto the circuit to cut some laps, only to return to the side-lines to watch (and laugh) at friends taking their turn.
As always, the atmosphere at the Penrite Broadford Bonanza was family friendly, fun and safe with the palpable feeling of community as strong as ever.
For Event Organiser Peter Drakeford it was been another successful year in the eight years of the Penrite Broadford Bonanza. “For me there were highlights everywhere – the motocross track being in perfect condition was a great start,” he said.
“We also had so many different dirt tracks around the place that all ran really smoothly was also a highlight. If I don’t hear much from around the circuit is a fair sign it’s all going pretty well!”
With the 2016 event done, thoughts already turn to the 2017 event and Peter Drakeford is already talking it up. “Next year we’ll welcome another Italian Marque as the feature brand and I’m sure we’ll be blessed with the same great weather that we’ve enjoyed for many years.
“I would urge all considering attending to book early as the Penrite Broadford Bike Bonanza just gets bigger and bigger!”
2016 Penrite Broadford Bike Bonanza – The Atmosphere:
2016 Penrite Broadford Bike Bonanza – Track Action
2016 Penrite Broadford Bike Bonanza – Dirt Action
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May 2, 2016
I was at Broadford at Easter, it was a great event, we’ll run and a great experience. It was my first time there and traveled ten hours to get there from Adelaide but it was well worth it and plan to return next year. So many different bikes and characters, even got to meet Kevin Schwantz. I also noticed my picture on your site, riding a Yamaha TZ 250 bike number 180.