Isle of Man - Tourist Trophy 2000

Die offizielle Webseite mit allen diesjährigen Rennergebnissen, weiteren Informationen und einem Archiv findet Ihr unter dieser Adresse:

http://www.iomtt.com

The official website concerning compulsory race data and results, further information including an archive of former races can be found at:

Bitte klickt auf die Vorschaubilder / Please click on the thumbnails below

Der berühmte Joey Dunlop/The famous Joey Dunlop

Akrobatik beim Ramsey Sprint/Stunts at Ramsey Sprint

Kleine Bikes.../Small bikes...




In Memoriam Joey Dunlop
25th February 1952 - Sunday 2nd July 2000

Joey Dunlop (with Kate Hoey) on Winners Rostrum - Winner of TT2000 Formula 1 (Photographer: Mike Caine)

Joey Dunlop (with Kate Hoey) on Winners Rostrum
Winner of TT2000 Formula 1 (Photographer: Mike Caine)

Joey Dunlop - an Obituary
by Ciara Fox

It is in total disbelief that I have to digest the news that Joey Dunlop was killed today. I heard it on a news bulletin about an hour ago and now I find myself sitting here trying to write about it. This is not what I had planned for this beautiful, summery, Sunday evening. My mind is boggling. He just won a zillion races at the Isle of Man TT, yet again, and now he crashes in a non-championship, international road race in Talinn, Estonia. He won the 600cc Supersport race there last night, the 750cc Superbike race this morning and was leading in the second lap of the 125cc this afternoon when he crashed. He died instantly. It was a 6.2 miles course - he should have been able to do it with his eyes closed. It just doesn't make any sense to me at all.

I've never been one for hero worship and in fact I usually back the underdog. But in the world of motorcycle road racing, whether you wanted to or not, you couldn't help but admire Joey. And notice how I say Joey, because that's what he was to people, someone with whom they were on first name terms with, someone with whom they had become familiar, even if they had never met the man. He was the most unassuming man you could ever meet. At the Isle of Man TT this year, he strolled around through the crowds, mostly unnoticed by the spectators. There was no hullabaloo or fanfare when we was around; he was just one of us. He was a very self-effacing person, soft-spoken and courteous, someone who seemed uncomfortable in the spotlight. Ironic, considering he was seldom ever out of it. He wore the same trademark yellow helmet for many years and his leathers looked like they had seen better days. But despite all the huge sponsorship in later years, these items remained with him, as a kind of link to his roots.

I used to frequent Irish road racing events for one main reason, and that was to see Joey Dunlop. I can't explain what it was. In all the times I met him, which was not difficult as he was always 'just there' - there were no bodyguards or anything of the sort smothering him - I never quite managed a coherent, intelligent conversation. I guess that despite his approachability, I was so stunned being in the presence of this icon, this piece of history, that inevitably I stuttured and muttered some nonsensical gibberish. He must have thought I was an awful idiot. Anyway, what would we have talked about? The bikes? What brand of tires he preffered? Ultimately, that all seemed insignificant. Sure, the bikes were engineering works of art, but for me, he was about much more than that. His faultless record of success, his shy demeanour off the track, his devotion to the sport - they were what mattered. And of course I took great pride in the fact that he was Irish.

Born in County Antrim, in Northern Ireland, Joey's racing career started way back in 1969 and from 1977 onwards, he became the major force to be reckoned with. After an astounding 26 TT wins, 3 this year alone, it is reported that he was planning to retire from the TTs after this year's race. At 48 years of age, he must have felt that it was time to bid farewell to the most dangerous sporting event in the world. I can't imagine that he would have given up racing entirely, not just yet. Indeed, he was riding on the crest of a wave this year. Joey leaves behind Linda, his wife, 5 children, his brother Robert - also a brilliant motorcycle road racer in his own right - and innumerable fans worldwide. We will all grieve to varying degrees and grieve we will, and there is not doubt that we will all miss him terribly.

Joey Dunlop was not an ordinary sportsman. While outwardly he was quite emotionless, inwardly, who can know the passion for the bikes, the desire to win, that spurned him on? He never showed his competitiveness off the track but on it, he was unstoppable. And invincible, until today. Joey was the man we never knew and at the same time, the man we all knew. He was always there. He was always just Joey. We have a proverb in Irish which is 'Ní bheidh a leithéad ann arís', meaning, his likes will never be found again. Never a truer word was spoken.


Rider Profile

Full Name: William Joseph Dunlop, OBE, MBE
Date of Birth: 25th February 1952
Place of Birth: Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
Home Town: Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
Married: To Linda
Children: Julie, Donna, Garry, Richard and Joanne.
Hobbies: Darts
First Race: 1969, Tiger Cub, Magaberry
Favourite Circuit: Isle of Man TT course
Career Highlights: Five times Formula One world champion, 26 times a TT winner
First TT Win: 1977 Jubilee Classic
Team: Honda Britain