Joey Dunlop
Encyclopedia
William Joseph "Joey" Dunlop, OBE (25 February 1952 - 2 July 2000), was a world champion motorcyclist from Ballymoney
in Northern Ireland
, best known for road racing
. Referred to throughout the sport as "Joey", in 2005 he was voted the fifth greatest motorcycling icon ever by Motorcycle News
. 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 orphanage
s. 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 done without drawing attention to himself.
On 31 December 2009 Joey Dunlop was voted 3rd greatest Irish sportsperson ever.
. Dunlop and other riders were aboard with several bikes and equipment for the TT Races when the Tornamona struck St. Patrick’s Rock and lost its rudder. After losing her rudder she veered off course spearing into St. Angus Rock where it sank. All the members aboard were rescued by the Portaferry Lifeboat. Diving efforts recovered the bikes shortly after.
, 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 N. Ireland, attended the funeral to Garryduff Presbyterian church
and his burial in the adjoining graveyard.
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.
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.
Ulster Grand Prix
North West 200
Formula One TT
World Formula 750
World Superbikes
(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)
Ballymoney
Ballymoney is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 9,021 people in the 2001 Census. It is currently served by Ballymoney Borough Council....
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, best known for road racing
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
. Referred to throughout the sport as "Joey", in 2005 he was voted the fifth greatest motorcycling icon ever by Motorcycle News
Motorcycle News
MCN or Motor Cycle News is a weekly motorcycling newspaper published by Bauer Consumer Media, and based in Peterborough, United Kingdom. The title was founded by Cyril Quantrill in 1955 and bought by EMAP, before Bauer bought Emap's consumer media division in 2008...
. His achievements include three hat-tricks at the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
meeting (1985, 1988 and 2000), where he won a record 26 races in total. During his career he won the Ulster Grand Prix
Ulster Grand Prix
The Ulster Grand Prix is a motorcycle road race that takes place on the Dundrod Circuit near Belfast, Northern Ireland. The first races took place in 1922 and in 1935 and 1948 the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme gave it the title Grand Prix d'Europe...
24 times. In 1986 he won a fifth consecutive TT Formula One
Formula TT
The Formula TT was a racing class for motorcycles from 1977 to 1989 as the official World Cup under the umbrella of International Motorcycling Federation...
world title.
He was awarded the MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1986 for his services to the sport, and in 1996 he was awarded the OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for his humanitarian work for children in Romanian orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
s. Dunlop would often load up his race transporter and deliver clothing and food to the trouble spots of Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
and Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. His humanitarian work was done without drawing attention to himself.
Charity work
One less well known aspect of Dunlop's life was his tireless work for charity. He made endless trips to Romania, bring vanloads of aid to orphans and their carers in that country. These were undertaken mostly by Dunlop himself on condition that 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.
M.F.V. Tornamona
In transit to the Isle of Man in the winter of 1985/86 Joey Dunlop was aboard the M.F.V. Tornamona; a vessel departing from the County Down port of StrangfordStrangford
Strangford is a small village at the mouth of Strangford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 475 people at the 2001 Census.On the other side of the lough is Portaferry and there is a ferry service between the two villages...
. Dunlop and other riders were aboard with several bikes and equipment for the TT Races when the Tornamona struck St. Patrick’s Rock and lost its rudder. After losing her rudder she veered off course spearing into St. Angus Rock where it sank. All the members aboard were rescued by the Portaferry Lifeboat. Diving efforts recovered the bikes shortly after.
Death
Joey Dunlop died in TallinnTallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, in 2000 while leading a 125cc race (he had already won the 750cc and 600cc events) on Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa Circuit
Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa Circuit
Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa Circuit is an inactive street circuit in Tallinn, Estonia. It's located in Pirita in Kloostrimets , crosses the Pirita River twice. The length of the track is .The circuit was opened in 1933...
. 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 N. Ireland, attended the funeral to Garryduff Presbyterian church
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
and his burial in the adjoining graveyard.
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
Snaefell
Snaefell is the highest mountain and the only summit higher than on the Isle of Man, at above sea level. The summit is crowned by a train station, cafe, and several communications masts.- Views :...
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?
Therapy?
Therapy? is an alternative metal band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist–vocalist Andy Cairns from Ballyclare and drummer-vocalist Fyfe Ewing from Larne, Northern Ireland. The band initially recorded their first demo with Cairns filling in on bass guitar...
made a song in memory of Dunlop, called Joey; it appeared on the album Shameless
Shameless (album)
Shameless was the sixth full-length album by the band Therapy?, and the third and final to be released on Ark 21 Records. It was released on October 1, 2001...
, released in 2001.
Throughout his career Dunlop remained apolitical and anti-sectarian. Both Catholics and Protestants supported him. Highly superstitious, he always wore a red T-shirt
T-shirt
A T-shirt is a style of shirt. A T-shirt is buttonless and collarless, with short sleeves and frequently a round neck line....
and a yellow crash helmet.
Complete TT record
| 2000 2000 Isle of Man TT The 2000 Isle of Man TT was a motorcycle race. The Isle of Man TT Race is held every year in the Isle of Man. The 2000 race was dominanted by David Jefferies and Joey Dunlop who gained a hat trick of wins each. This was Dunlop's 26th and final win at the TT and he proved he could still win a 'big... |
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 1996 Isle of Man TT This was the year where Phillip McCallen of Honda achieved 4 wins in a week – a record not beaten until 2010. He won all of the main races with Jim Moodie and Joey Dunlop picking up the smaller bike wins.... |
Ultra Lightweight 1 |
Lightweight TT 1 |
Formula One TT 7 |
Senior TT 2 |
||
| 1995 1995 Isle of Man TT -Results:*Race 1 – TT Formula One*Race 2 – Sidecar Race A*Race 3 – Singles TT*Race 4 – Ultra Lightweight*Race 5 – Lightweight TT*Race 6 – Junior TT*Race 7 – Sidecar Race B*Race 8 – Senior TT-External links:*... |
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 |
||||
| 1981 | Classic TT DNF |
Formula One TT 3 |
||||
| 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 |
||
| 1976 | Lightweight 250cc TT DNF |
Junior TT 16 |
Classic TT DNF |
Senior TT 18 |
||
Ulster Grand PrixUlster Grand PrixThe Ulster Grand Prix is a motorcycle road race that takes place on the Dundrod Circuit near Belfast, Northern Ireland. The first races took place in 1922 and in 1935 and 1948 the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme gave it the title Grand Prix d'Europe...
- 24 Victories
| Year | Class/Race | Machine | Lap Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 200North West 200The North West 200 is a motorcycle race meeting held each May in Northern Ireland. The course, made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush is one of the fastest in the world, with speeds in excess of . It is one of around fifteen events run on public...
- 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 TTFormula TTThe Formula TT was a racing class for motorcycles from 1977 to 1989 as the official World Cup under the umbrella of International Motorcycling Federation...
World Championship
| Year | Result/Position |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 3rd |
| 1982 | 1st |
| 1983 | 1st |
| 1984 | 1st |
| 1985 | 1st |
| 1986 | 1st |
| 1987 | 2nd |
| 1988 | 2nd |
| 1989 | 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 750Formula 750Formula 750 was a FIM motorcycle road racing series based on a 750 cubic centimeter engine capacity. The series began in 1973 as a British based series. In 1975 the series was upgraded to European championship status and in 1977, it attained world championship status. The FIM discontinued the class...
Championship
| Year | Race | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Germany (Hockenheim) | 9th | 2 |
World SuperbikesSuperbike World ChampionshipSuperbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities...
(WSBK) 1988
| Race | Result |
|---|---|
| British (Donington) | 3rd |
| 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 DunlopRobert DunlopRobert Dunlop was a Northern Irish motorcycle racer, the younger brother of fellow road racer, the late Joey Dunlop, and like Joey he died after a crash while racing.-Biography:...
, Joey's younger brother. He died after a crash while racing in 2008. - List of people on stamps of Ireland