SHORT CIRCUIT: BROADFORD STATE MOTORCYCLE SPORTS COMPLEX
Short Circuit: Broadford State Motorcycle Complex
As the name suggests, the State Motorcycle Sports Complex in Victoria is primarily used for vehicles of the two-wheel variety… but not exclusively so.
By GARRY O’BRIEN
Cars, Superkarts, SXSs and even push bikes all conduct events at the Broadford complex.
These have included rounds of the Victorian Hillclimb Championship and the off road Australian SXS Championship, as well as many more minor events.
Situated 88 kilometres north of Melbourne, just off the Hume Freeway, the bitumen circuit centrepiece lies within a 96 hectare motor sport complex.
It regularly plays host to car testing and drive days, but is limited for actual racing competition.
Located on Strath Creek Road the circuit is one of eight tracks in the facility; it’s 2.16km long, 10 metres wide and features a mix of a dozen tight and open corners.
Historic Touring Car racer Les Walmsley, who has piloted a Valiant Charger in recent times, has both tested and done Ride Days at the track, in Phil Morris’ Touring Car Masters Ford Falcon XA GT.
“It is probably not suitable to a full-on (car) race event, other than Aussie Racing Cars and the like. One-car supersprints would be ideal there,” Walmsley said.
“I would love to go there more often, it is a great place to test, do brakes, etc!
“Turns 1 and 2 are just under 200 metres from the start/finish line and uphill as you turn into the first part, otherwise they are very similar to Turns 11 and 12 at Winton,” he recalls.
“They are almost one single, flowing corner but not quite. Then it is a flat-out run to Turn 5. Out of Turn 2, it’s slightly downhill and rises to a Conrod Straight-like hump, before dipping down again.
“It certainly has undulation and Turns 3 and 4 are not (really) corners. The track then rises to a very hard braking stop at Turn 5, which is the worse corner on the circuit for a car but it is good through Turn 6 – a fast left kink.
“From Turn 7 to 9 it is slower in a car yet I would think it would be great on a bike. Turns 10 and 11 continue the decline and from there on, a good bit of road, it’s a lot tighter than 1 and 2. Turn 12 is the sweeper coming back on the front straight, which was easy to get a powerful car to drift out of.”
The Victorian Hillclimb Championship ran in the reverse direction, using all but the last two corners (Turns 1 and 2) and finishing on the back straight, more or less opposite the starting point.
For that discipline it was found to be ideal, very technical, with off camber and blind corners.
Boasting a track-grade hot mix surface, competitors found the hillclimb track to be of the best quality surface of any on its calendar.
David Mahon posted the fastest time at the last visit, a 40.34s run in his Ninja GA7.
Car racing generally isn’t allowed at Broadford due to planning restrictions and the lack of a track circuit licence.
However, there have been other four wheel activities which have included ride days, television and photographic assignments, and the like.
Recent good news includes a resurfacing in March this year ahead of which was a two-week period where the oils from the new surface were able to dissipate.
During that time contractors were also able to work on new track edging and line markings.
Other tracks at the complex include a 400m motorcycle speedway track, a 120m junior speedway track, and a motocross (MX) layout.
Six years ago a section of unused land was lalso eased to Calibre Sports, a handgun target shooting club, who set up a new range.
The property was originally known as Reg Hunt Park when Motorcycling Victoria purchased it in the early ‘70s and renamed it.
The motocross track was the first built and was opened by the then Prime Minister, Sir Malcolm Fraser in 1975.
The Dirt Track was then opened in 1988 and the bitumen circuit a few years after that.
In 2017 and 2018, the concluding rounds of the SXS Championships were held there, using the MX track.
Ongoing development of the facility has been key to ensuring that Victoria’s motorcycling community has a first-class sporting complex to use for newcomers and a professional venue to train potential future champions.
The complex hosts numerous club, state and national-level motorcycle competitions as well as recreational events throughout the year, where participant and spectator numbers can exceed 4000 at any given event.
Each year the complex hosts the Broadford Bike Bonanza, a festival that celebrates classic motorcycles and takes place over the Easter long weekend.
Off track, there are pit sheds with power and lighting, undercover garaging for vehicles, a shower amenity, media and conference rooms and a race control centre, along with a first aid room for medical assistance. There is also on-site catering, and camping is available in three separate areas as well.
For those not prepared to ‘rough’ it, accommodation and meal choices are many nearby. Besides Broadford there are several towns located within a 35km or 25 minute radius, including Beveridge, Kilmore, Pylong, Seymour, Tallarook, Wallan and Wandong/ Heathcote Junction.
To assist with the raising revenue for on-going circuit and facility development, individually numbered Broadford Medallions can be purchased. Holders in turn receive free entry to Motorcycling Victoria-run events at the complex, with only the addition of a small insurance levy to pay.
FAST FACTS
Track length: 2.16 kilometres
Track width: 10 metres
Track corners: 12
Track elevation: 30 metres
Track density: 32 bikes, 24 sidecars, limited for car racing
Track licence: Licensed for National and State Level Motorcycle events: Level 2 Speed Motorsport Australia licence for sprint competition
Nearest major town: Broadford, 3.3 kilometres to Post Office, 90 kilometres north of Melbourne
Minimum race licence requirements: Level 2 Speed MA licence for sprint/hillclimb competition
Biggest event held: World Motocross & SuperMoto Grand Prix events in 2000, 2001 and 2005
Track Operators: Motorcycling Victoria
Circuit Hours: Weekdays 9 am to 4 pm, extended on the weekends
General Manager: Robert Mestrom
Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: PO Box 3, Broadford, Victoria, Australia,3658
Address: 260 Strath Creek Road, Broadford, Victoria
Website: www.broadfordmotorcyclecomplex.com.au
Phone: 03 5784 2827
Article originally published in Issue 1787 of Auto Action.
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