JOEY DUNLOP OBE MBE
KING OF THE
MOUNTAIN
William
Joseph (Joey) Dunlop was one of the finest motorcycle road
racers the world has ever seen. His career spanned over 30
years during which time he dominated the sport and was
idolised by fans around the globe.
Joey was born on 25 February 1952
in Ballymoney, County Antrim in Northern Ireland. He began
riding motorcyles at speed in the late 1960s and rode in his
first race in 1969. He rode both short and road circuits but
his most notable victories came in the Isle of Man TT Races.
His first visit to the Isle of Man was in 1976 but he had to
wait until 1977 for his first victory, in the Jubilee Classic
TT. He rode a 750cc Yamaha in that race but he soon proved
capable of riding any capacity bike. His mastery of the
challenging 37.73 mile course was also breathtaking, his
style so smooth. He won a hat-trick of TT trebles - in 1985,
1988 and 2000. He was also Formula 1 motorcycling champion
from 1982 to 1986 inclusive. In his native Northern Ireland
he won the Ulster Grand Prix 24 times, the Tandragee 100 18
times, the Skerries 101 15 times and the North West 200 13
times. His record on the Isle of Man was equally impressive
as he had 26 TT wins, 32 Southern 100 wins and 10 wins at the
Steam Packet Races. He also lapped the TT course at over 110
miles per hour 257 times, 90 times more than any other rider.
His fastest lap of the course was 123.87 miles per hour.....set
during his final TT. The fans called him the King of the
Mountain.
He was also known with
affection as "Yer Maun" (Your Man). Joey was far
more than a supreme racer. He was a man of the people. He
never tired of signing autographs for his fans, no matter how
inconvenient the time. A quiet, shy man he was always
perfectly approachable. On his visits to the Isle of Man he
was frequently to be seen in local hostelries. He was also a
publican himself, the owner of "Joey's Bar" in
Ballymoney.
Joey also received the
Order of the British Empire and Member of the British Empire
in recognition not only of his racing achievements but also
of his charity work. Many times he loaded up his van with
supplies and took off to deliver them to the poor and needy
throughout Europe. In the year 2000 he was given a replica
Manx Sword of State by the people of the Isle of Man. This
was seen as a kind of "knighthood" by many, a
vision enhanced by Manx Tourism Minister David Cretney who
ceremonially tapped Joey on the shoulders with it at the
presentation. To this day many are of the opinion that Joey
should be awarded a knighthood from the Queen.
It all ended in a race in
Tallinn, Estonia, on 2 July 2000. Joey, normally supreme in
damp conditions, slipped on a wet patch and careered into the
trees. He was killed instantly. The shockwaves went around
the world. The seemingly invincible Joey was gone. Tributes
appeared outside his pub in
Ballymoney as well as the TT Grandstand in Douglas, Isle of
Man. Thousands attended Joey's funeral and it was an occasion
which united a divided Northern Ireland, if only for a few
hours. For most, Joey's religion and beliefs didn't matter.
He left a wife, Linda, and 5 children as well as his fellow
racer brother Robert, who faces a tough decision as to
whether to continue his career.
Joey was an inspiration
to many, an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. Those
who enjoy road racing admire Joey for his achievements. In
August 2000 40,000 bikers took to the TT course for a
memorial lap in honour of him. He will be remembered with
great affection and, for many, the TT will never be the same
again.
LYNNE MATTHEWS
March 2001
Joey Dunlop exhibition at
Summerland in June 2000
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