Harry Leary’s August Aussie Tour

August 19th, 2016
bmxultra
0

80’s USA BMX Pro Harry Turbo Leary is set to hit Aussie shores for a whirlwind tour that will see him with a pretty full schedule that includes attending the Hurstbridge Show & Shine, two club races at Knox and a bunch of social events.

Some of the things that Harry was best know for were the style of jump named after him, the “Leary” and his signature bike, the Diamond Back Turbo. Both of which appear on the cover of the July 1984 BMX Action Magazine.

When we asked Harry about the trip this is what he had to say

“Australia is a place that I’ve never been but has some very very deep roots in the sport of BMX. From way way back in the day from when I was on JMC and then the whole team Diamondback thing, it’s always been huge down there. And then, or course, Australia has produced some incredible Elite pros and ABA national champions, so it’s going to be a privilege to come down and get a feel as to why so many great riders are coming from Australia. Looking forward to getting there and hanging out with some of the guys who have helped put the sport on the map down there in Australia. You know I’m doing some local rides and hopefully ride some back yard tracks if possible. I have always thought there’s this a certain level of coolness that kind of comes from Australia that I have always seen in the Pro`s that came from there, you can feel it. Wade Bootes, was the first to bring to the States, then we had Warrick, Sam Willoughby (our team USA’s finance’ to Alise Post) just to mention a few…But when you get in the gate things change, people change, mindsets change, that is what I enjoy seeing, is how a person handles themselves off the track and when the gate drops.. So I’m looking forward to seeing how Aussie environment and the people from down there have cultured their way into championships upon championships and possibly by now an Olympic Gold Medal for Sam!

Patty and I, are only able to make this trip because of the efforts of Peter Ashby and his Team, they have put a great schedule together and we kick off the two weeks there by attending and competing at Knox BMX track for a local club race, rides, meet and greets, dinners and a check presentation to breast cancer foundation of Melbourne. I am bringing my Thrill Box equipped 20”, so hopefully all you guys there go easy on the old guy…LOL but if I hole shot you, and move over on you in the states we call that call that the pro fade…. I will also be bringing to very rare collector items with me, my very first original team issues Diamond Back jersey and my very first team issues JMC (JM Cyclery) jersey’s which will be auctioned off and portion of the proceeds, will be donated to the breast cancer foundation.

The main reason Patty and I will be there is to attend and judge at the Grand Daddy of all Old School shows, the Hurstbridge BMX Show and Shine. I have heard about this show and can’t wait to see some of the best restored BMX in the world. It seems like there are a lot of my old DB Signature bikes here.
I have a really great friend Lauren Wiedoweer in the states who has together and manages the “Diamond Back Harry Leary Turbo Fan page”, it’s on Facebook so please go check it out, this guy has at last count 8 Turbos and that was just last week, sure he has added 3 more by now…, And he does an awesome job with the page, and I can never thank him enough. He keeps the Diamond Back legacy alive!

So we hope to meet and ride with as many people as we can, please come up and make sure I meet all of you BMX hard cores!!!

Patty and I are there to have fun and just RIDE!!!!

See you all in a week!!”