Harry Leary

rdf:langString Harry Leary

rdf:langString Harry Leary

rdf:langString "Scary Harry Leary", "Turbo"

rdf:langString Harry Leary

rdf:langString InternetArchiveBot

rdf:langString January 2018

rdf:langString Bicycle Motocross

rdf:langString yes

rdf:langString Harry Clarence Leary Jr.

rdf:langString 1.68 m

rdf:langString "Scary Harry Leary", "Turbo"

rdf:langString Racer/Team Manager

rdf:langString Harry Clarence Leary Jr. (born February 22, 1959 in Lynwood, California U.S.) was a professional bicycle motocross (BMX) racer. Nicknamed "Scary Harry Leary", and later "Turbo", the former for his aggressive racing style, the latter was a moniker coined by Bicycle Motocross Action magazine when he "Turboed" himself into finishing National No. 2 in both the American Bicycle Association (ABA) and the National Bicycle League (NBL) in 1981 after being relatively far back in the national standings during that year. His prime competitive years were from 1978 to 1985. He officially retired from BMX Senior pro ("AA" in the ABA and "A" (Elite Men) in the NBL) racing in 1989, and for the previous three years he was largely inactive and served as Diamond Back's factory team manager. He came out of "retirement" in the early 1990s to race in the ABA's Veteran Pro class and is still racing at 48 years of age. One of the most respected racers in BMX history, his career was not as laden with titles as many of his contemporaries. His career was plagued by many injuries, in particular his knees which cut many promising seasons off and required surgery. Also, he had trouble dealing with the fame, as limited to the BMX world as it was, that his career brought. He went as far as to attend a sports medicine clinic for stress management in July 1984. He met many stars of the more established sports at the facility. The stresses that come with the burden of fame was and is a widespread if little discussed aspect in the career of a top amateur or professional athlete. Perhaps despite his attendance of the clinic, Harry Leary could never really get the psychological aspect of the sport, similar to Tommy Brackens but even more so. In addition, while Tommy had a problem with attitude but remained physically healthy for the vast majority of his career, Harry had both mental attitude and physical injury to contend with. His physical misfortunes often happened when he was on a streak of doing well, cutting promising seasons off, perhaps a No. 1 season. He never won a major title as a top amateur or professional, his biggest win being the $5000 first place award at the 1982 Murray World Cup. He won a measure of redemption when he won back to back ABA Veteran Pro No. 1's in 1993 & 1994 against many of his 1980s peers. He later raced well into his 40s in The Veterans Pro class (which is similar in concept to golf's Champions Tour). In October 2007 he reclassified as an amateur and 30 years of professional racing came to an end. He currently races in the 36 & Over Expert Class. He raced as recently the ABA So. Cal. Nationals on February 16, 2008 in 36 & Over Expert Class coming 7th place in an eight-man main in that 20" division but first place in the 24" 46-50 Cruiser Class.

rdf:langString JMC Racing Equipment

rdf:langString Coates Schwinn Bike Shop

rdf:langString GHP/Applied BMX Training

rdf:langString Reclassed to Amateur

rdf:langString Peak Performance Institute - BioLab Sciences BMX Racing Team

rdf:langString Specialized

rdf:langString Cutting Edge

rdf:langString JMC Racing Equipment

rdf:langString SE Racing

rdf:langString DiamondBack

rdf:langString GHP

rdf:langString BOX/THRILL

rdf:langString Balance Sports

rdf:langString Leary Dirtwerx

rdf:langString Marzocchi

rdf:langString SPR Schwinn

rdf:langString Peak Performance Institute - BioLab Sciences BMX Racing Team

rdf:langString Off Road