Joey Dunlop
| Joey Dunlop | |||||||||||||||
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 Dunlop at the TT races | |||||||||||||||
| Nationality | British | ||||||||||||||
| Born |
25 February 1952 Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland, UK | ||||||||||||||
| Died |
2 July 2000 (aged 48) Tallinn, Estonia | ||||||||||||||
| Bike number | 3 | ||||||||||||||
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William Joseph Dunlop, OBE (25 February 1952 – 2 July 2000), was a world champion motorcyclist from Ballymoney in Northern Ireland. In 2005 he was voted the fifth greatest motorcycling icon ever by Motorcycle News.[1] His achievements include three hat-tricks at the Isle of Man TT meeting (1985, 1988 and 2000), where he won a record 26 races in total. During his career he won the Ulster Grand Prix 24 times. In 1986 he won a fifth consecutive TT Formula One world title.
He was awarded the MBE in 1986 for his services to the sport, and in 1996 he was awarded the OBE for his humanitarian work for children in Romanian orphanages, to which he had delivered clothing and food.[2]
A documentary, Road, based on the life of Joey Dunlop and his brothers was released in the UK and Ireland on the 11th June 2014.
Charity work and recognition
One less well known aspect of Dunlop's life was his tireless work for charity. He made endless trips to Romania, bringing vanloads of aid to orphans and their carers in that country. These were undertaken mostly by Dunlop himself on condition that it would take place before each racing season started. Dunlop stated that his proudest award was his OBE for charity rather than any achievement in his very successful racing career.
On 31 December 2009 Joey Dunlop was voted 3rd greatest Irish sportsperson ever.
On 30 January 2015 Joey Dunlop was voted Northern Ireland's greatest sports star by readers of the Belfast Telegraph newspaper.[3]
M.F.V. Tornamona
Joey and some others used to hitch a ride on the Tornamona(pictures of Tornamona here) across to the Isle of Man TT races, in fact He had an article appear in the MotorCycle News after a stormy crossing left him making use of the "heads" for seasickness
In transit to the Isle of Man 23 May 1985 Joey Dunlop was aboard the M.F.V. Tornamona; a vessel departing from the County Down port of Strangford. Dunlop and other riders were aboard with a few racebikes and equipment for the TT Races. It was a particularly hostile night and a delay caused the sailing to be against the incoming tide which is ferocious at the narrows
Tornamona was pushed aside by the current and she was cast up onto St. Patrick’s Rock where her rudder jammed in a crevice and was plucked out. After losing her rudder she was steered by using the engine alone when the direction allowed where she sank (with her big engine still chuffing over slowly) in calmer waters inshore All the members aboard were rescued by the Portaferry Lifeboat. Diving efforts recovered the bikes shortly after.
Death
Joey Dunlop died in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2000 while leading a 125cc race (he had already won the 750cc and 600cc events) on Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa Circuit. He appeared to lose control of his bike in the wet conditions and was killed instantly on impact with trees. As a mark of respect, the Estonian government's official website was replaced with a tribute to Dunlop within hours of his death. Northern Ireland television carried live coverage of his funeral. Fifty thousand mourners, including bikers from all parts of Britain and Ireland and people from all backgrounds in Northern Ireland, attended the funeral to Garryduff Presbyterian church and his burial in the adjoining graveyard.[4][5]
The most successful overall rider at the annual TT races is awarded the "Joey Dunlop Cup". A memorial statue was erected in his home town of Ballymoney. On the Isle of Man, a statue of Dunlop astride a Honda overlooks the Bungalow Bend at Snaefell and the 26th milestone area of the TT course has been renamed "Joey's". Irish publishers The O'Brien Press published a full-colour pictorial tribute to Joey following his death. Northern Ireland band Therapy? made a song in memory of Dunlop, called Joey; it appeared on the album Shameless, released in 2001.[6]
Throughout his career Dunlop remained apolitical and anti-sectarian. Both Catholics and Protestants supported him. Highly superstitious, he always wore a red T-shirt and a yellow crash helmet.[7]
Racing record
Complete TT record
| 2000 | Ultra Lightweight 1 |
Lightweight 250 TT 1 |
Junior 600cc 4 |
Formula One TT 1 |
Senior 3 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Ultra Lightweight 27 |
Lightweight 250 TT 5 |
Junior 600cc 5 |
Formula One TT 2 |
Senior 5 |
|
| 1998 | Ultra Lightweight TT 9 |
Lightweight TT 1 |
Senior TT DNF |
|||
| 1997 | Ultra Lightweight 10 |
Lightweight TT 1 |
Junior TT 5 |
Formula One TT 6 |
Senior TT 7 |
|
| 1996 | Ultra Lightweight 1 |
Lightweight TT 1 |
Formula One TT 7 |
Senior TT 2 |
||
| 1995 | Ultra Lightweight DNF |
Lightweight TT 1 |
Junior TT 4 |
Formula One TT 2 |
Senior TT 1 |
|
| 1994 | Ultra Lightweight 1 |
Classic Junior 2 |
Junior TT 1 |
Supersport 600 7 |
Formula One TT 3 |
Senior TT 3 |
| 1993 | Ultra Lightweight 1 |
Classic Lightweight DNF |
Junior TT 3 |
Supersport 600 DNF |
Formula One TT 14 |
Senior TT 11 |
| 1992 | Ultra Lightweight 1 |
Junior TT DNF |
Supersport 600 9 |
Formula One TT 3 |
Senior TT DNF |
|
| 1991 | Ultra Lightweight 2 |
Junior TT 5 |
Supersport 600 6 |
Formula One TT DNF |
Senior TT 2 |
|
| 1990 | Ultra Lightweight TT DNF |
Junior TT DNF |
Formula One TT 8 |
Senior TT 16 |
||
| 1988 | Production Class B 5 |
Production Class C 11 |
Junior TT 1 |
Formula One TT 1 |
Senior TT 1 |
|
| 1987 | Production Class B 18 |
Junior 250cc TT 8 |
Formula One TT 1 |
Senior TT 1 |
||
| 1986 | Production Class C 4 |
Junior TT DNF |
Formula One TT 1 |
Senior TT 4 |
||
| 1985 | Production 251-750cc 22 |
Junior TT 1 |
Formula One TT 1 |
Senior TT 1 |
||
| 1984 | Production 251-750cc DNF |
Junior TT DNF |
Classic TT 2 |
Formula One TT 1 |
Senior TT DNF |
|
| 1983 | Senior Classic TT 3 |
Formula One TT 1 |
||||
| 1982 | Classic TT DNF |
Formula One TT 2 |
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| 1981 | Classic TT DNF |
Formula One TT 3 |
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| 1980 | Junior TT 12 |
Classic TT 1 |
Senior TT 9 |
|||
| 1979 | Junior 250cc TT DNF |
Classic TT 6 |
Formula Two TT 13 |
Formula One TT DNF |
Senior TT DNF |
|
| 1978 | Junior TT 11 |
Classic TT DNF |
Formula Two TT 5 |
Formula One TT DNF |
Senior TT DNF |
|
| 1977 | Junior 250cc TT 10 |
Jubilee TT 1 |
Classic TT 7 |
Senior TT 4 |
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| 1976 | Lightweight 250cc TT DNF |
Junior TT 16 |
Classic TT DNF |
Senior TT 18 |
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Ulster Grand Prix - 24 Victories
| Year | Class/Race | Machine | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 500cc | Suzuki | 112.76 mph |
| 1979 | Superbike 750cc | Yamaha | 115.34 mph |
| 1980 | 250cc | Yamaha | 107.71 mph |
| 1980 | Superbike 1000cc | Suzuki | 116.39 mph |
| 1983 | TT F1 920cc | Honda | 107.38 mph |
| 1984 | 250cc | Honda | 110.55 mph |
| 1984 | 500cc | Honda | 118.17 mph |
| 1984 | TT F1 | Honda | 114.28 mph |
| 1985 | 250cc | Honda | 111.96 mph |
| 1985 | 500cc | Honda | 116.14 mph |
| 1985 | TT F1 750cc | Honda | 114.45 mph |
| 1986 | Classic Race 500cc | Honda | 118.29 mph |
| 1988 | 250cc | Honda | 112.30 mph |
| 1990 | TT F1 750cc | Honda | 120.87 mph |
| 1991 | Superbike Race1 750cc | Honda | 118.36 mph |
| 1991 | Superbike Race2 750cc | Honda | 110.87 mph |
| 1992 | 125cc | Honda | 102.18 mph |
| 1994 | 125cc | Honda | 108.83 mph |
| 1994 | Superbike Race1 750cc | Honda | 123.23 mph |
| 1995 | 250cc Race1 | Honda | 117.94 mph |
| 1995 | 250cc Race2 | Honda | 118.28 mph |
| 1995 | Superbike Race1 750cc | Honda | 122.25 mph |
| 1997 | 250cc Race2 | Honda | . |
| 1999 | Superbike Race2 750cc | Honda |
North West 200 - 13 Victories
| Year | Class/Race | Machine | Lap Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | International Match Race 750cc | Yamaha | 120.01 mph |
| 1979 | NW200 Race 750cc | Yamaha | 120.34 mph |
| 1981 | NW200 Race 1100cc | Honda | 119.83 mph |
| 1983 | 500 Race | Honda | 106.05 mph |
| 1983 | NW200 Race 1000cc | Honda | 105.64 mph |
| 1984 | MCN Master Race 750cc | Honda | 107.02 mph |
| 1985 | 250 Race 1 | Honda | 110.95 mph |
| 1985 | NW200 Race 750cc | Honda | 118.68 mph |
| 1986 | NW200 Race 750cc | Honda | 108.05 mph |
| 1987 | Superbike Race 750cc | Honda | 113.29 mph |
| 1987 | NW200 Race 750cc | Honda | 118.61 mph |
| 1987 | Production Race 750cc | Honda | 108.77 mph |
| 1988 | Production Race 750cc | Honda | 109.08 mph |
Formula One TT World Championship
| Year | Result/Position |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 3rd |
| 1981 | 3rd |
| 1982 | 1st |
| 1983 | 1st |
| 1984 | 1st |
| 1985 | 1st |
| 1986 | 1st |
| 1987 | 2nd |
| 1988 | 2nd |
| 1990 | 2nd |
World Grand Prix Championships
| Year | Class | Race | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 350cc | French Grand Prix (Le Mans) | 9th | 2 |
| 1985 | 250cc | British Grand Prix (Silverstone) | 10th | 1 |
World Formula 750 Championship
| Year | Race | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Germany (Hockenheim) | 9th | 2 |
Macau Grand Prix
| Year | Race | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | China (Macau) | 3rd |
| 1983 | China (Macau) | 2nd |
Imola 200
| Year | Race | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Italy (Imola) | 3rd |
World Superbikes (WSBK) 1988
| Race | Result |
|---|---|
| British (Donington) | 3rd Race 1, 5th Race 2 |
| Hungary (Hungaroring) | 6th Race 1 |
| Germany (Hockenheim) | 7th Race 1, 5th Race 2 |
(Joey had 30 points accumulated and was lying 3rd in the championship up until the TT races, however he stopped competing in the championship and still managed to finish 13th in the final championship table)
See also
- Robert Dunlop, Joey's younger brother. He died after a crash while racing in 2008.
- List of people on stamps of Ireland
References
- ↑ "Joey and Robert Dunlop: kings of the road - North West 200, Motorsport". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
- ↑ Tallant, Nicola (11 January 2004). "LAP OF HONOUR | Sunday Mirror Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET". Findarticles.com. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
- ↑ Steven Beacom (January 30, 2015). "Joey Dunlop voted as Northern Ireland's Greatest Sports Star". Belfast Telegraph.
- ↑ "BBC SPORT | NORTHERN IRELAND | Dunlop and Best are honoured". BBC News. 5 December 2000. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
- ↑ "Joey Dunlop (1952 - 2000) - Find A Grave Memorial". Findagrave.com. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
- ↑ "Therapy? - Shameless - RTÉ Ten". Rte.ie. 1 November 2001. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
- ↑ "NORTHERN IRELAND | 'King' Dunlop's road to fame". BBC News. 3 July 2000. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joey Dunlop. |
- The official Joey Dunlop website
- Joey Dunlop Foundation
- Tribute page on the TT website
- University of Ulster news release
- Billd's Joey stamps on Flickr
- North West 200 Official Website
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Graeme Crosby |
TT Formula One World Champion 1982-1986 |
Succeeded by Virginio Ferrari |
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