E.V.C. Hardy

Record type: Motorsport Biographies

Biography: Age 42, Eric Hardy, proprietor of a motor cycle firm in Handsworth, Birmingham, is this year staging a comeback to the TT for he has not ridden in the Island since 1953. He started racing in the years before the war and turned to the TT in 1948 when he finished 33rd on a Norton in the Junior, but retired in the Senior event. The next year he rode Nortons in both Junior and Senior TT races and won two second-class replicas, taking 66th place in the Junior at 71.16 mph and 29th in the Senior at 75.50 mph.

Another second class replica followed in 1950 when he finished 37th on a Norton in the Senior TT averaging 78.78 mph. In 1951 Eric was seventh in the 125 cc class of the TT at 57.86 mph and he had the added distinction of riding the first British machine home...a Dot. He retired in the Junior and Senior races.

In 1952 he was one of the very few riders to start in - and finish - each of the three TT races. In the 125 cc class he was tenth on a Dot and in the Junior, 45th on an AJS whilst he rode the same machine into 38th place in the Senior. He rode in all three races again in 1953 and finished in all. His best placing was in the Lightweight - 14th on a pre-war Rudge - but he got no award for this position. On a 350 AJS, however he was 36th in the Junior and 28th in the Senior collecting a couple more Bronze replicas. He is his own entrant for this year's races and his Nortons are new models. Hobby: Fishing.

(TT Special, Wednesday, June 04, 1958 p10)

Competed in

Comments