Joey Dunlop
'Yer Maun'
1952 - 2000

Five Times World Motorcycle Champion Joey Dunlop who has been tragically killed while racing in Estonia was a legend in his own lifetime and an example to us all. Joey started racing in 1969 and first came to the Isle of Man TT races in 1976. He won his first TT, the 1977 Jubilee TT on a Rea Yamaha and was to go on to win 26 TT's, gaining 80 TT Replica's from ninety eight starts in a 25 year TT career. Joey also competed in two races in the Classic MGP races, finishing 2nd in the 1994 Junior Classic on an Aermacchi.

Joey was a versatile rider who had proved he could win on any size of machine both in the Isle of Man and his native Ireland. Only this year he won races on 125cc, 250cc and VTR SP-1 Honda's at the Isle of Man TT. When Joey had his 'race face on' there was no one better on pure road circuits.

Joey also had 24 Ulster Grand Prix wins, 13 at the North West 200 and 42 victories on the Billown Circuit south of Castletown, a total that is unlikely to ever be bettered.

Joey was a one off, a legend in his own lifetime and an example to us all, not only in motorcycling, but for the fact that he was prepared to load his race van with aid for those less fortunate than himself, and head off to Romania in Eastern Europe, to distribute the clothes and food he had collected from his home town of Ballymoney NI, with no thought for his own safety. Indeed, Joey's charity work was to earn him an OBE.

Joey loved the TT circuit and, following his crash at Brands Hatch early in 1989, Joey was at the TT that year, on crutches, still, hoping to convince the officials that he was fit enough to ride in the TT.

I well remember seeing Joey in the paddock at the Southern 100 a few years ago. Joey was there working on his bikes with probably 200 people stood not 10 feet away just watching, saying nothing. He was respected by all who came in contact with him, a true Champion, a peoples Champion. Joey was approachable, an all round Mr Nice Guy. Indeed in last years 125cc TT, Joey had problems on the first lap and had no chance of winning the race. Many would have thrown in the towel, but not Joey. He stopped at the end of the first lap to fix the problem and continued, setting the fastest lap of the race on his final circuit.

This year during the first practice session, Joey ran out of petrol at the Bungalow. He 'borrowed' some fuel from the Travelling Marshal and then took some fork oil from his Honda and, using it as a substitute for 2 Stroke Oil, mixed it with the petrol before completing his lap!

I have watch Joey at many places on the TT course throughout his TT career. He was always so smooth and never looked like he was trying hard. The same line every lap, and this year, at 48 years of age, lapping the TT course faster than he had ever done before. The victory in this years Formula 1 TT was arguably his greatest TT victory. What more can you say about 'Yer Maun'.

His ability on a motorcycle is unquestionable. He was a legend in his own lifetime. The world is a sadder place without him, but Joey will live forever in our hearts.

May he rest in peace.

Joey Dunlop
TT Picture Gallery

1977	1978	1979
1980	1982	1983
1984	1985	1986
1987	1988	1990
1991	1992	1993
1995	1997	1997
1998	1999	2000
1994	1996	1997

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