Boekeman Machinery and their partner in farming equipment crime, Case IH, are back onboard this year as naming rights sponsor for Bike it to Ballidu Gravel, after an award-winning first year association with the event’s ever-brighter lights.
A longtime supporter of the previous asphalt version of Bike it to Ballidu that dates back to 1999, Boekeman’s and Case IH stepped it up last year by becoming naming rights sponsor and have committed to two more years.
The Wongan Hills-based firm’s general manager in sales, Dillan Elliott [above, first image, far right], told us aside from the exposure from the naming rights themselves plus resulting TV, radio, print, digital and social media coverage, the sponsorship was driven by the desire to give back to the community that is an ongoing and integral part of the firm’s very core.
“While we don’t do it for the exposure specifically, we do see people coming along and doing business who reference the fact they became aware of us through the event – so while we don’t do it for that reason, we certainly do see it,” Elliott said.
“For us it’s just about exposing our brand while at the same time supporting our community and ensuring that these events continue to grow. We’re pretty stoked to be onboard for another two years and see what the future brings.”
Biggest event for Ballidu “by a country mile”
For Boekeman’s, which began operations in Wongan Hills in 1968 and now has five branches and 120 staff in south west towns like Dalwallinu, Northam and Brookton, events like Ballidu Gravel expose towns and regions to a wider world and new slants on what they are.
“The mix of local and people from Perth and the rest of the State really worked and created a great buzz on the rides and then in the Event Village for the people that stayed around afterwards,” he said, “We’re looking forward to more of that this year – hopefully we’ll get more locals riding this year too – the more the merrier!”
“It’s the biggest event of the year for the town of Ballidu by a country mile – and to win the SportWest Community Sport Event of the Year was a great reward for all the effort that everyone put into it. I’m very excited for this year – the bar was set pretty high last year but I know what the Ballidu folk are like – always striving for more so let’s see how high we can go.”
Gettin’ dusty: Boekeman chief to tackle to The Ballidude (82km)
Boekeman’s themselves will have riders on the line this year including their director Stuart Boekeman.
“We’ve got some young apprentices with plenty of energy so it’ll be good to see them ride as well,” Elliott said. “Stuart be riding the 82km ride so we’ll see how he goes.”
Metal machine muses
If you like a MASSIVE AGRICULTURAL MACHINE, there’ll be plenty of Case IH’s finest farming megaliths on display with the likes of the crimson sprayer that spread its giant arms across the finish line last year to welcome riders back into the Ballidu in dramatic style.
“We’re keen to show off the gear so we’ll have a few machines out there for the riders to see as they do their rides,” Elliott said. “For the lack of a better term it’s a way we can beautify our event through country and our industry and what makes our little towns thrive.”
Boekeman Machinery | Case IH Bike it to Ballidu Gravel rides out of Ballidu Township on Sunday 28 September. Find out more here.
