Broadford Bike Bonanza 2018

[80-85 husky]

and get rid of that skyshot jump on the back downhill straight

[John Orchard]

Jumps are relatively tame at Broadford. Classic track for Nationals at Pirie last year was jumpier. Broadford could do with a deep rip, some harrowing and then being sown if the aim was to make to make it more Pre 78 friendly.

The ground has lost all top-soil, ripping deep will just create deep, hard ruts where water will pool. lt needs to be built up in height so water runs off the riding surface, then graded flat and tracked-in so you have enough looseness for traction but not too much depth for ruts, holes & big dust.

Everyone has to realize that due to the earth that you have to work with there, it must be accepted that the track be classified as 'hard terrain' and then use the applicable tyres.

[smed]

        The only sensible thing to do is turn the track into a track that will suit pre 90
        You know like Take the top off the jumps just push it into the low spots to get
        rid of the bog holes at the bottom make it more user frendly .
        Why change the Pre 90  rule when it would be easyier to change the track  .   

   

Right on the money in my opinion

[Barra]

Things are going seriously off the rails if they even contemplate modern bikes at this event. It would just be a cheap and misdirected attempt at grabbing extra money – which wouldn’t happen anyway and just turn off more vintage riders to boot!

The BBB is a huge money spinner and both MA (promoter) and MV (property owner) need to get their shit together to ensure each gets their fair cop (unlike dodgy goings on in years past). This event deserves a concerted effort from MV to make ALL tracks primo to ensure its longevity as an event for ALL riders. 

Fix the problem and they will come. This track could be made into what everyone wants for this event and at no extra cost, it just needs some careful management and a little help from volunteers and riders.

From the posts so far the problems have a common theme:- Wet patches where the sprinklers are; Water run-off collecting at the bottom of hills making mud holes; Dry patches in between; Using sprinklers between sessions to stop dust to appease complaints from Road Racers: butt clenching downhill jumps etc.  There are several positives though – the dirt even when compacted can take water reasonably well; and it seems that the current method of track prep is working and well accepted by riders (at least in the sections where the optimum amount of water was applied)

I have ridden Broadford at MX events and past BBB’s. Having over 30 years experience building and prepping State and National standard MX tracks I’ve seen it all.  The hilly terrain of Broadford is fantastic for a MX venue but the ground also makes for a challenge with track prep, e.g. water collecting at the bottom corners, the hills being unsafe for water trucks etc. 

The extra effort required to make the MX side of things a ‘must ride’ event for 2019 would be bugger all.  If I were running it I would ensure that:
1/ Pre event track prep continue similar to existing. No deep ripping, just 'dressing' up.
2/ Sprinklers be monitored night before to ensure NO excess run-off running down hills creating bog holes.
3/ Dig a few run-off channels with bobcat just before the bottoms of the hills to catch any water run-off to alleviate bog holes (just in case guy operating pump has one too many beers before turning pump off!)
4/ Also on the night before hand water the dry bits not reached by sprinklers! This is easy but the most important bit! Could be done by the riders, only a one or two stubby job by half a dozen guys and it would be done! Do this and most of the issues will no longer be issues.  No more wet-dry-wet. No more dust from the dry bits (which are the reason people complain).
5/ Knock the top off any gung-ho jumps to make it pleasurable for everyone to ride.
6/ Next day during the riding sessions have the riders / flaggies go out and hand water BEFORE dust becomes an issue. If there is one thing I learned over the years it is water only leaves the ground if it is let dry out – if you keep a light sprinkle on top BEFORE the moisture leaves, the track will remain primo!
7/ Create a second flatter track for pre 78 bikes that one water truck could manage (one operater)       

There are plenty more things that could be done to make the Broadford track awesome but the above are all very achievable with current resources.

  

[Curtis]

Even if you did make the track more VMX friendly it now has a reputation to undo, it would take years of being a awsome track to get people back on it. Even then the people enjoying it would be relatively fit motorcross racers or ex mx racers, BBB is not a race meeting. Its a event for the old blokes to get out and (enjoy) their old bikes. A well managed grass track with a few ski jumps would be perfect. Even though it was to small years back they had a scrambles track near the swap meet area and that was quite popular.

[80-85 husky]

i still like to tell people i rode the track which was a round of the world champs years ago ( i dont tell them how slow im riding...). i like it as it is open and flowing. yep it has some issues with mud but as stated, its a relatively easy fix with some drainage efforts and organised watering.. etc. some simple earthworks to get rid of that flat landing jump and the rest of the track is pretty good even for old enduro bikes. because im not racing i can pick the best lines, sneak around the poo and mud and just motor around. (its pretty slow motoring).

[Rosco86]

I feel 2 things need to occur for VMX to be successful at the Bonanza.
1. Need to have someone step up onto the organising committee; so that the track can be modified in some way to suit the older bikes and 2. also this person needs to coordinate a theme.
 Rick Wason does it with the Speedway/Dirt track. We had the 2017 Romsey  longtrack Reunion and this year the Neil Street Tribute/SR4 Jawa conversion which revolutionised speedway to the 4 valve motors. Also linked to the Road Race theme with 11 Vincent Sidecars for track and display. Each year brings new people to the event, most like it so much they return. 2019 theme is already set as Speedway and track sidecars through the eras. Already there is much fb chatter with sidecars coming out of mothballs to be recommissioned for the event. This then becomes part of the Speedway Spectacular at 4.00pm.The weekend becomes a celebration of some major event in Speedway/Dirt track history.

VMX has lots of history and could have themes such as Big British Bangers, The LTR revolution, The Japanese Invasion, European uniqueness. have a parade of these bikes at Luchtime and maybe an Exhibition ride round by past Champions, akin to what Classic Dirt does. Would be good to see the likes of  a Flood, Adams, Pengelly, Cramer, Dinsdale etc

When I go I just see a couple of bikes circulating. I do the swap meet, wander the camp grounds to see the bikes and then head to the Road Race section. Finding a snugger camp spot would be good so seeing all the bikes without walking miles may also assist

[mxmaniac]

Surely the money the road and speedway brings to the table is generous..
A couple of basic steps in my opinion would be to:
1-put the responsibility on us riders and friends/family (if they wish) to attend to the areas that need watering by hand after a nice track prep as we see fit.
2- Mx track entry is free for 2019!! With the growing numbers at speedway and road circuit, surely this is plausible... plus the day licence cost if required. Make this known Australia wide a long way in advance. This will make the decision to make the trip a little more enticing. Bring back the MX numbers!!