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 82)
Brandon, Warwickshire, England
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1969–1970Ipswich Witches
1969–1976Coventry Bees
1972Peterborough Panthers
1978Stoke Potters
Team honours
1970Knockout Cup (tier 2)

Biography

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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.[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

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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

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  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.