'Sad day': Australia rocked by tragic death of Bathurst 1000 champ
The Australian motorsport world is mourning the death of former Bathurst 1000 winner John Harvey.
Harvey’s family confirmed the tragic news on Sunday following the recent news that he had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
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He was 82.
“Last night at 8:45 sadly our Dad, John Francis Harvey, passed away peacefully with his family by his side,” his family said in a social media post.
“Most people will have fond memories of Dad’s amazing racing career and the great memories of him will live on forever.
“To us he was much more, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, supporting all of us whenever we needed his guidance and love.
“What a life he has lived travelling the world racing with and against the best in the business, always a true gentleman.
“We all know his most proudest achievement was us. We will dearly miss him but we know the time was right.”
Harvey was best known for winning the 1983 Bathurst 1000 for the Holden Dealer Team alongside Peter Brock and Larry Perkins.
He enjoyed a decade-long stint at the famous Holden squad, which he’d joined in 1976 off the back of a successful speedway career.
Motorsport world mourns John Harvey’s death
Australian motorsport legends Allan Moffat and Dick Johnson led the tributes for Harvey on Sunday.
“I just want to sit back and look at photos and remember the good times I had with John,” Moffat told Speedcafe.com.
“He was such a lovely gentleman.
“I had so many good times with John and Beverly. This breaks my heart.”
Johnson added: “Slug (Harvey) was the backstop for HDT and Holden for so long.
“He should have won Bathurst more than once, but he copped it on the chin.”
Former teammate Perkins called it a “sad day” for Australian racing.
“I had the pleasure of working with and co-driving with John over a long period of time,” he told Speedcafe.
“John will be very missed by all, his easy going, no hassle style was a trade mark. RIP John, a true gentleman.”
Fans have also expressed their shock and sadness on social media.
VALE John Harvey. A champion Aussie racer, a lovely man, the most loyal of lieutenants... A real Aussie Icon... #HDT
— M.G Racer (@MGRacer29) December 6, 2020
Absolutely sad news always one of those names you hear about when people talk about back in the day, John Harvey always is one of those names you mention R.I.P John Harvey https://t.co/DoBv3WhWFX
— SupercarsMaster (@SupercarsMaster) December 6, 2020
Very sad :-(
— Michael Adams (@DistractionMike) December 6, 2020
Sad news... RIP Champ😢
— Peter Drummond (@Ita57Peter) December 6, 2020
RIP John Harvey
VALE 😔— The Bear 🐻 (@rs200077) December 6, 2020
Vale John Harvey - a true legend. Is that a picture of John with a Mobil HDT VL Commodore prior to the February ‘87 split? That would be a rare photo, wouldn’t it?
— Scott Templeton (@scott_tempo) December 6, 2020
I’ve never known anyone with a bad word to say about John Harvey. A legend of Australian Motorsport. Well done Slug on a tremendous life well lived. We knew this day was coming, but it’s still tough. Love and condolences to his family and friends. #RIPJohnHarvey pic.twitter.com/wTRLZt9Jig
— Ozmotorsportfan (@ozcouchracer) December 6, 2020
#offtopic Sad day today with the passing of Australian Racing Driver John Harvey. He was the only Bathurst 1000 winner I got the chance to speak, as he kindly asked me for some footage of him I had on archive. RIP, may you keep racing in the skies, flat out of course. pic.twitter.com/ompImP74vc
— Air Disasters #OTD by Francisco Cunha (@OnDisasters) December 6, 2020
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