Classic Racer

THE HARD MEN

Australia’s annual Broadford Bonanza focused on the 90th anniversary of Vincent and included a tribute to both the Crump speedway dynasty and its link to innovative speedway tuner Neil Street.

Easter is a time of hope, resurrection and celebration, even for motorcyclists. Broadford this Easter showed the results of months of preparation by true enthusiasts.

More than 70 Vincents were brought out from sheds, workshops and private collections for the road circuit. Over at the speedway venue a special moment was celebrated following the discovery and renovation of the famous Neil Street DOHC four-valve Jawa.

There’s a no-bullshit atmosphere around speedway that survives the bulldust of a typical pit setting, as riders swarm around, pawing the ground with the rear wheels of their bikes ‘to get the feel’.

Speedway is one of the original gladiatorial stadium spectacles. Timeless, it has survived over a century while retaining its basics of a single-cylinder engine, direct drive with no gearbox or engine electronics.

Another constant is the ritual of setting up for a race.

It was no different at this year’s Broadford Bonanza for the Crump speedway dynasty of

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