Joey Dunlop - 10 years today

dcr22B

Hard to believe it's 10 years since one of my childhood heroes was taken away from us in a meaningless for most people 125cc race in Estonia. It was my sister's birthday that day and we returned from dinner and switched on the RTE News. It was the main headline that night and I was heartbroken. While I had never seen him race live, I used to love watching the TV highlights of him racing in the NorthWest 200 and especially the Isle of Man TT (where he won 26 times).

On December 31st 2009, Joey Dunlop was voted 3rd greatest Irish sportsperson ever on RTÉ.

I'm sure Robert and yourself are having a special head to head on the Isle of Man today, Joey.

RIP

Frank Bullitt

Wow,cant believe its 10 years,only saw a guy on a bike yesterday with the yellow helmet and black stripe.

God rest Joey.

De Hipster

Nice tribute...I'd say many participants will have made the trip for this without a second thought:

Joey Dunlop Memorial Tribute Ride Out Lap 2010

The Foundation are inviting all Joey Dunlop fans to join in on a tribute lap of the TT Mountain Course to commemorate 10 years since the death of the 26 times TT Winner.

The lap will commence from the TT Grandstand at 19.00hrs on Friday the 2nd July. Each entrant is asked to donate £10 to the Joey Dunlop Foundation charity which will give them a new designed t-shirt for 2010.

To book your place please contact Kevin Quirk at kevinquirk@hotmail.com and provide details of your name, address, vehicle registration and don't forget t-shirt size.

site here

ICE HOUSE

RIP Legend

monkeypants

I was out of the country when the news came through. Couldn't believe it as I'd only been to the IOM a few weeks before to see Joey win the Formula 1, 250 and 125 races. Was a rider that I never expected anything to happen to for some reason.

whoami1

Will never forgive so-called "newspaper" The Star for their front-cover picture of his body lying on the road.

Also, the Lord Mayor of Dublin at the time rejected a call for a book of condolence to be opened at the Mansion House saying that he wasn't famous enough and that some ambassador was visiting at the time and it wouldn't be possible.

monkeypants

Didn't see the picture, but I remember the backlash. As for the Mayor of Dublin; we remember Joey, but we'd need to look you up.

whoami1

monkeypants wrote: »

Didn't see the picture.

Count yourself lucky.

amacachi

I didn't see it either, thought none were about but if there weren't I'm sure The Sun would have mocked one up. :pac:

RIP, by all accounts he was some boy and his record speaks for itself.

MidlandsM

We was amazing @ his craft, RIP Joey.

vincenzolorenzo

Wouldn't be a mad bike head either but I'll never forget the day I heard about Joey. I was just numbed. He was an out and out legend at his sport and a gentleman off the bike as well. RIP Joey:(

Mike Litoris

Jaysus 10 years already. RIP Joey.

h3000

A tribute to Joey on BBC2 tonight at 10:35.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00shr0d

EDIT: BBC2 BBC1

vincenzolorenzo

Feck it i missed it

MidlandsM

I watched it there tonight as I recorded it. It was lite, but showed Joey as a quiet intelligent gent, a family man, a nervous sportsman and a religious person.
He rode honda's for 20 years and in the programme his widow and the documentary presenter travelled to japan to see the honda facility where his bikes were engineered and they met the head engineer and the former md of honda motorbikes where they gave a glowing recollection of working with Joey on the success of the Honda/Dunlop Partnership.

He really was a stunning sportsman - RIP.