Joey Dunlop

Infobox TT rider


Name = Joey Dunlop
Caption = Dunlop at Bray Hill during the Senior TT in 1992.
Nicknames = King of the Road
Nationality = Northern Irish
TTs Contested = 25 (1976 - 2000)
TT wins = 26
First TT win = 1977 Jubilee Classic
Last TT win = 2000 Ultra-Lightweight 125 TT
Podiums = 40

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William Joseph "Joey" Dunlop, OBE (February 25 1952 - July 2 2000) was a world champion motorcyclist, best known for road racing. In 2005 he was voted the fifth greatest motorcycling icon in history by "Motorcycle News". [ [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article2169479.ece Belfast Telegraph] ] His achievements include three hat-tricks at the Isle of Man TT meeting (1985, 1988 and 2000), where he won 26 races in total. During his career he won the Ulster Grand Prix 24 times. In 1986 he won a fifth consecutive 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. Dunlop would often load up his race transporter and deliver clothing and food to the trouble spots of Bosnia and Romania. His humanitarian work was often done without drawing attention. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20040111/ai_n9714382 Sunday Mirror] ]

Family

Dunlop's younger brother Robert was also killed while racing in the sport in 2008. The Dunlop brothers have also won a record number of races at the North West 200. On 4 July 2006, Dunlop was posthumously awarded an honorary Doctorate of the University (DUniv) from the University of Ulster in Coleraine, which was accepted on his behalf by his son, Gary. His brother Robert also received an honorary Doctorate of the University.

Charity work

One aspect of Dunlop's life which was never publicised was his tireless work for charity. Dunlop made endless trips to Romania to get aid to the orphans there, taking out a van load of aid for them and their carers. These were done mostly solo with Dunlop agreeing to do it on the only condition that it was organised before each racing season started.

Death

Dunlop died in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2000 while leading a 125cc race (he had already won the 750cc and 600cc events). 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 Irish television carried live coverage of his funeral. Fifty thousand mourners attended the funeral to Garryduff Presbyterian Church, and his burial in the adjoining graveyard. The funeral procession was attended by up to 50,000 people, along with bikers from across Ireland and the United Kingdom. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/1055790.stm BBC] ]

A memorial statue was erected in his home town of Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.In 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."Throughout his entire career Dunlop remained apolitical and anti-sectarian. He was followed and supported by both Catholics and Protestants. His funeral attracted a huge cross community turnout, both sides putting aside their differences to remember a sporting legend.

Highly superstitious, he always wore a red T-shirt and a yellow crash helmet. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/817733.stm BBC] ] Northern Irish band Therapy? made a song in memory of Dunlop, called "Joey"; it appeared on "Shameless", which was released in 2001. [ [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2001/1101/therapy.html RTE] ]

ee also

*List of people on stamps of Ireland

References

External links

* [http://www.joeydunlopfoundation.com Joey Dunlop Foundation]
* [http://www.ttwebsite.com/features/joeydunlop/ Tribute page on the TT website]
* [http://news.ulster.ac.uk/releases/2006/2303.html University of Ulster News Release]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/billd01/sets/72157594199486853/ Billd's Joey stamps on Flickr]
* [http://www.thenorthwest200.com Ireland's finest circuit NW200]