Bangor's Terry Harryman Inducted into Wall of Fame

Bangor man Terry Harryman has been officially inducted into Ards and North Down Borough Council's Sporting Wall of Fame.

The successful former rally co-driver, who won several World Championship events including the Monte Carlo Rally, Safari Rally and Finland's 1000 Lakes Rally, plus many more across the UK and Ireland, has joined the Borough's other sporting greats on the prestigious Wall of Fame displayed in Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex as well as Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex.

Harryman was announced as the latest inductee at the Ards and North Down Sports Awards earlier this year and he has now been officially inducted after a ceremony in his hometown's leisure centre where his plaque was unveiled.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said:

"The Wall of Fame is a very prestigious award that honours the Borough's outstanding sportspeople who have reached the highest level within their chosen sport. Inductees are restricted to a maximum of one per year, and nominations are carefully considered by the Ards and North Down Sports Forum judges."

"Terry Harryman enjoyed a motorsport career that spanned more than 50 years. During his illustrious career that stemmed from his interest in maps, he became one of the most sought-after rally co-drivers in the world and navigated for the world's leading drivers at the sport's highest level. He was one of rallying's pace note making pioneers and I am pleased he has been honoured in this way."

Terry's passion for motorsport started during the 1950s when he was a founding member of a moped club that became a branch of Ards Motorcycle Club. He moved to Bangor in 1968 where he married and opened a shop on Victoria Road which he managed until his motorsport career blossomed.

The '80s are regarded as rallying's heyday and it then that he claimed victories with Ari Vatanen at the Safari Rally, Monte Carlo Rally, Finland's 1000 Lakes Rally, Sanremo Rally, Swedish Rally, and Britain's RAC Rally - all World Championship events.

However, it wasn't all plain sailing and in 1985, Terry broke his back after a severe accident with Ari Vatanen. Three months later, he returned to competition, and went on to win the 1986 German Championship with Peugeot and Michele Mouton, as well as the 1988 Dutch and Irish Tarmac championships, both with Ford and Mark Lovell.

During the latter part of his career, he became Team Manager for the Renault Dealer Team, set up a business to run successful ventures such as the Mobil 1 Rally Challenge, and competed in the Middle East and in the Dakar Rally before retiring in 2003.

Terry Harryman said:

"Being inducted into the Wall of Fame is wonderful recognition from what has been my home since 1968. I am very proud of where I live and I am very happy to have my life's dedication to the sport recognised in this way by my home Borough. Hopefully, I have helped to bring rallying to a wider audience, and if one young person sees my career as an inspiration and follows the sport, then it will have been a success."

The Ards and North Down Sports Forum, which sponsored the Wall of Fame award, exists to support the development, establishment and sustainability of local sports clubs. It is a voluntary organisation that includes members of the Council's Sports Development team as well as volunteers from affiliated sports clubs, organisations and associations that are based within Ards and North Down.

The Forum acts as a consultative body between Ards and North Down Borough Council and the sporting community, while also providing grants to support local organisations and athletes, as well as contributing to sports development in the area. For more information, visit leisureardsandnorthdown.com/sports-development.