Ryan Farquhar, Northern Irish motorcycle racer

Ryan Alan Robert Farquhar, born on 2 February 1976 in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, is a highly distinguished professional motorcycle racer. Renowned primarily for his exceptional prowess in the demanding and inherently dangerous discipline of road racing, Farquhar has cemented his legacy as one of the sport's most successful competitors, particularly within the Irish national road racing circuit.

A Career Defined by Dominance and Records

Farquhar's illustrious career is marked by an unparalleled level of consistency and success. He remarkably secured the prestigious Dukes Road Racing Rankings on four separate occasions. These rankings are a testament to a rider's overall performance and consistency across the major road racing events throughout a season, underscoring Farquhar's sustained excellence at the sport's highest levels.

Perhaps his most astonishing achievement is holding the record for the most Irish national wins by any single rider. With an incredible tally of 201 victories, Farquhar's dominance in national road racing events is unparalleled. This record highlights not only his exceptional skill but also his longevity and dedication to the sport. A prime example of his prowess was his performance at the iconic Cookstown 100, one of Ireland's oldest and most revered national road races, where he famously clinched five victories in a single day, showcasing his ability to dominate across multiple race classes.

Throughout his career, Farquhar demonstrated remarkable versatility, competing and achieving success across various motorcycle categories. He notably campaigned formidable Kawasaki machinery, including the powerful Kawasaki ZX-10R in the Superbike class, the agile Kawasaki ZX-6R in Supersport races, and the efficient Kawasaki ER6, often used in the Supertwin or Lightweight classes. His ability to master different types of bikes and racing disciplines further underscores his comprehensive riding talent.

The Life-Altering 2016 Season and Retirement

The 2016 racing season began with significant promise for Farquhar. He secured a highly coveted contract to ride 1000 cc machines for the factory-backed Tyco BMW Racing Team, one of the most prominent and successful outfits in international road racing. This opportunity allowed him to compete at the highest echelons of the sport while continuing to campaign his own machinery, often under his self-run KMR Racing banner, in other events.

However, his season took a dramatic and unforeseen turn on 12 May 2016, when he suffered severe injuries in a high-speed race crash at the North West 200. The North West 200, held annually on a street circuit between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine, and Portrush in Northern Ireland, is one of the world's fastest and most prestigious international road races, alongside the Isle of Man TT and the Ulster Grand Prix. The incident underscored the inherent and extreme dangers associated with professional road racing, where speeds can exceed 200 mph on public roads.

In October 2016, Farquhar publicly disclosed the full extent of his multiple, serious injuries, which required extensive rehabilitation. Despite initially expressing a hopeful desire to return to competitive racing, by 2017, he candidly admitted that a return to the sport was unlikely due to his sustained injuries. He explained that he was unable to engage in the rigorous exercise regimen required to maintain peak physical fitness for professional racing. Farquhar has since transitioned from the demanding world of motorcycle racing, finding enjoyment and a new focus in his hobby of clay pigeon shooting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ryan Farquhar

What is Ryan Farquhar best known for in motorcycle racing?
Ryan Farquhar is best known for being a highly successful professional road racer, particularly for holding the record for the most Irish national road racing wins, with an astonishing 201 victories, and for winning the Dukes Road Racing Rankings four times.
What major motorcycle racing events did Ryan Farquhar compete in?
Farquhar primarily competed in road racing events across Ireland and the UK, including the prestigious Cookstown 100, where he achieved five wins in a single day, and the international North West 200, among many others.
What types of motorcycles did Ryan Farquhar race?
He raced various Kawasaki models, demonstrating versatility across different classes, including the Kawasaki ZX-10R (Superbike), Kawasaki ZX-6R (Supersport), and Kawasaki ER6 (Lightweight/Supertwin).
What happened to Ryan Farquhar in 2016?
In 2016, while contracted to ride for the Tyco BMW Racing Team, he suffered severe multiple injuries in a race crash at the North West 200 on May 12th, which ultimately led to the end of his professional racing career.
Is Ryan Farquhar still actively racing motorcycles?
No, due to the severity of the injuries sustained in his 2016 North West 200 crash, Ryan Farquhar confirmed in 2017 that his fitness levels would make a return to professional racing unlikely. He now enjoys hobbies such as clay pigeon shooting.