Australian Motorsport Hall of Famer John Harvey can now add another prestigious title to his distinguished career after being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day.

 

A deserving recipient, the now 81-year-old has left an impressive legacy on Australian motorsport with his work both on and off the track.

 

After developing a passion for motorsport at a young age, Harvey begun racing in the 1950s through speed racing. However his career really picked up in the 1960s when he started racing at the national level.

 

His first major accolade came in 1966 where he won the Australian 1.5 Litre Championship before going back-to-back in the Australian Sports Car Championship six years later.

 

Taking out the Toby Lee Series in 1973, Harvey had to wait another 10 years before getting his next major honour, but it was worth waiting for as the Victorian claimed the 1983 Bathurst 1000 alongside the great Peter Brock and Larry Perkins.

 

Having won the Darwin to Adelaide World Solar Championship in 1987 as his last huge honour on Australian soil, the 1988 Spa 24 Hour class winner ended up also leaving a lasting legacy off track.

 

The former motor mechanic apprentice's work was best known for his time as a manager for the Holden Dealer Team where he oversaw significant success.

 

Three decades after putting an end to his colourful racing career in 1988, Harvey found himself back in the spotlight in 2018 - being named in the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

 

Harvey’s latest recognition as an OAM recipient sees him join a long list of motorsport legends, including the late Graham Hoinville, Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife as previous recipients.