A tribute to great hero of mine and sure everyone else on the forum through out his incredible racing career in pics , hope you enjoy will keep adding pics and if any one else has some post them up.
I was fortunate to have raced against Joey at the TT. In the paddock he just looked like any other middle aged fella, but on the track he was simply awesome. During one of the practice sessions, I was building up to a 'flat-out' in top attempt at the right hander at the end of the Cronk-y-Voddy straight. I knew I could do it but every lap I bottled it. On this occasion I was determined to do it, flat out in top gear on the R1, but just as always, right at the last moment, I rolled it. In a split second, between me and the grass banking Joey slipped through on the SP2! I didn't have the 'balls' to take it flat out, but Joey still had enough room to overtake! Amazing riding. I tried to hold onto his tail down past the 11th and Handleys, but by Barragaro Cross roads he was too far infront for me to even see. For me, Joey Dunlop is the ultimate TT racer. Pete
I was lucky enough to meet anr chat with him on numerous occasions. True gent but it annoys me that he gets a small lesure center named after Him yet they name an airport after a waster alcoholic .
wow to have raced at the tt is very impressive in its self, and to say you have raced with joey awesome, how many years did you race there pete did you do the north west and ulster or any of the others? have you got any pics?
I only started racing (back in the 90's,) just to get my International licence so that I could race at the TT, it had been a dream since I started biking. Never raced in NI apart from Bishops Court, the NW was just too close to the TT to be able to get the time off work etc. I'll have a look to see if I can find some pictures of Joey up in the loft. Incidentally, the on-bike camera action is amazing, Joey mentions using the kerb for extra drive, he could do it on purpose, I did it by accident occasionally. The video doesn't give you the feeling of just how three dimensional the TT circuit is in reality. Ballaugh Bridge is one of the obvious jumps. However first time out in practice, you find yourself doing jumps and wheelies where you had no idea there was going to be a jump.... and often at 140+ mph! There's nothing quite like the TT circuit. Pete ps. Sorry about the pink leathers, they were fashionable at one time!
Great photos and thanks for sharing with us .Ps The young Dunlops are also not letting the name down it must be in the blood.
William is more like joey attitude wise,calm and collected were as michael has put a fair few noses out of joint with his attitude on and off the track :s
I've met Joey and Robert quite a few times. Like chalk and cheese. Just like Michael and William. Not forgetting Sam and Gary Dunlop ( although gary doesn't race anymore ) Must be the name cause they can all ride a bike. Then there's cousin Paul Robinson, man can ride a rs125. You hear some cracking stories round joeys bar after a pint or three.
some great shots on the rc30 there pete, didnt know joeys son gary had raced bry how long did compete for, have you any shots of him in action ?
Gary was sponsored by Noel Johnston (clerk of the course UGP). When Gary, William, Michael and Sam all started on 125cc, Gary was the better rider. Think he had a few too many accidents and pulled the plug. It's Gary that keeps all of joeys bikes on the road.
In the inaugural year of World Superbikes in 1988 Joey competed in the first 3 rounds and was 3rd the standings after the 3 rounds but then stopped competing.
