William Joseph Dunlop , OBE (February 25, 1952 - July 2, 2000), is a world champion biker from Ballymoney in Northern Ireland. In 2016 he was selected via Motorcycle News as the fifth largest motorcycle icon ever, behind Valentino Rossi. His achievements include three hat-tricks at the Isle of Man TT encounter (1985, 1988 and 2000), in which he won a total of 26 races. Dunlop's name includes the most revered by motorcycle racing fans. This iconic stature, paired with a rather shy and unattractive Dunlop, has made him look like a true working class hero. Such attributes are well liked for motorcycle enthusiasts around the world.
During his career, he won the Ulster Grand Prix 24 times. In 1986, he won the fifth consecutive TT Formula One world title; originally based on one race on the Isle of Man TT after losing World Championship status from 1977 onwards and hosted by Auto-Cycle Union, the title was eventually expanded to take more rounds in other countries.
He was awarded the MBE in 1986 for his services in sports, and in 1996 he was awarded OBE for his humanitarian work for children in Romanian orphanage, where he has sent clothing and food. Joey - The Man Who Conquered the TT , a documentary entirely focused on Dunlop racing career, was released in 2013. Another documentary, Road, based on Dunlop's life and hers, released in the UK and Ireland on June 11, 2014.
Video Joey Dunlop
Jobs and charity recognition
Dunlop helps orphans in the Balkans, driving a car full of supplies to an orphanage in Romania, Albania and Bosnia-Hercegovina before the annual racing season begins. In 1996, he received OBE for his humanitarian work.
After the death of Dunlop, the Joey Dunlop Foundation began, a charity that provides the right accommodation for disabled visitors to the Isle of Man.
On January 30, 2015, Dunlop was voted Northern Ireland's biggest sports star by Belfast Telegraph newspaper readers.
Maps Joey Dunlop
Shipwreck
On the night of May 23, 1985, Dunlop traveled from Northern Ireland to the Isle of Man for the annual TT race by sea, on the Tornamona ship, a former fishing boat. The ship has departed from Strangford, County Down with Dunlop, other riders, racers, and equipment on board. Strong currents into Strangford Lough pushed Tornamona to St Patrick's Rock where the steering wheel slipped through the gap. The ship sank and all 13 passengers and crew were rescued by the Portaferry Lifeboat. The bikes were later discovered by divers.
Death
Dunlop died in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2000 while leading the 125cc race (he has won the 750cc and the 600cc event) at the Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa Circuit. He seemed to lose control of his bike in wet conditions and was killed instantly by a collision 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 brought live coverage of his funeral. Fifty thousand mourners, including motorcyclists from all over England and Ireland and people from all backgrounds in Northern Ireland, attended funeral processions to Garryduff Presbyterian church and burial in adjacent graves.
The most successful racer in the annual TT race was awarded the "Joey Dunlop Cup". The memorial statue was erected in his hometown, Ballymoney. On the Isle of Man, a statue of Dunlop straddling Honda overlooks Bend Bungalow in Snaefell and the 26th Milestone area of ​​the TT course is named "Joey's". The Irish publisher The O'Brien Press produced a colorful colorful tribute to Dunlop after his death. Northern Ireland band therapy? create a song to remember Dunlop, called Joey ; it appeared on the album Shameless , released in 2001.
Throughout his career Dunlop remains apolitical and anti-sectarian. Both Catholic and Protestant support it. Strongly superstitious, he always wore a red T-shirt and a yellow crash helmet.
Racing record
Record complete TT
Ulster Grand Prix: 24 wins
North West 200: 13 victories
TT Formula One World Championships
World Grand Prix Championships
World Championships 750
Macau Grand Prix
Imola 200
(Dunlop had 30 points and was 3rd in the championship until the TT race, but he stopped competing in the championship and still managed to finish 13th on the last championship table.)
See also
- Robert Dunlop, Dunlop's brother. He died after an accident during the race in 2008.
- List of people with Irish postage
References
External links
- Joey Dunlop's official website
- Joey Dunlop Foundation
- Award page on TT website
- Ulster University news release
- Billd's Joey stamps on Flickr
- Official Website of North West 200
- Tornamona MFV on Irish Wrecks Online
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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