Joey Dunlop - World Champion Motorcyclist

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. 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. His nickname was 'King of the Road'.

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, in keeping with his humble nature.Dunlop died in Tallinn, Estonia in 2000 while leading a 125cc race (he had already won 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, which was attended by bikers from across Ireland and the United Kingdom.


A memorial statue was erected in his home town of Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. In the Isle of Man, a statue of Joey 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 Joey 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.

Dunlop's younger brother Robert is also involved in the sport. Despite many serious crashes he continued racing until his retirement at the 2004 TT. However Robert came back out of retirement during the 2005 road racing season. The Dunlop brothers have also won a record number of races at the North West 200.

On 4 July 2006, Joey 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.

Highly superstitious, he always wore a red T-shirt and a yellow crash helmet.
Northern Irish band Therapy? made a song in memory of Dunlop called "Joey" which was released in 2001 and appeared on the T.V. series Shameless.
There is a bronze statue of Joey Dunlop at the base of Snaefell Mountain on the Isle of Man.