John Michael Harrhy (born 1 September 1942) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1]

John Harrhy
Born (1942-09-01) 1 September 1942 (age 81)
Brandon, Warwickshire, England
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1969–1970Ipswich Witches
1969–1976Coventry Bees
1972Peterborough Panthers
1978Stoke Potters
Team honours
1970Knockout Cup (tier 2)

Biography edit

Harrhy, born in Brandon, Warwickshire, began his British leagues career riding for Coventry Bees as a junior in 1968.[2] The following season he broke into the first team but spent most of the season loaned out to Ipswich Witches[3] during the 1969 British League Division Two season season.[4] He made an immediate impact in Suffolk, topping the team's averages in his rookie season.[5]

He enjoyed an even better season in 1970, helping Ipswich win the Knockout Cup (tier 2)[6] and recording a 9.21 season average.[7]

He returned to the Coventry team in 1972, rising to third in the team averages and would remain with the Bees until the end of the 1976 season.[8] Several issues during the 1976 season resulted in Harrhy stating that he was going to retire but he continued to the end of the season before missing the 1977 campaign.[9]

Haarhy returned to speedway for the 1978 National League season with Stoke Potters.[10]

Retirement edit

After speedway, Harrhy bought Windmill Farm in 1979 and turned it into a hotel and golf venue. He later sold the Windmill Village Hotel and Golf Club for £7 million to businessman Roy Richards, who also owned the National Motorcycle Museum (UK).[11]

References edit

  1. ^ "Ultimate Rider Index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Unlucky Chris". Coventry Standard. 18 April 1968. Retrieved 19 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ "Harrison seeks that winning feeling". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 5 April 1969. Retrieved 19 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "1969 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  6. ^ Oakes, Peter (1981). 1981 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 0-86215-017-5.
  7. ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  8. ^ "john Harrhy". WWOS backup. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Harrhy back after week". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 1 July 1976. Retrieved 19 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ^ "Harrhy set to join Potters". Staffordshire Sentinel. 10 February 1978. Retrieved 19 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ^ "Windmill Village Changes Hands". cwn. Retrieved 19 April 2024.