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Joey Dunlop
Joey Dunlop.JPG
Dunlop at the TT races
Nationality British
Born (1952-02-25)25 February 1952
Armoy, Northern Ireland
Died 2 July 2000(2000-07-02) (aged 48)
Tallinn, Estonia
Bike number 3
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Isle of Man TT career
TTs contested 102 (1976–2000)
TT wins 26
First TT win 1977 Jubilee Classic
Last TT win 2000 Ultra-Lightweight 125 TT
Podiums 40
JoeyDunlopTT1992Gooseneck125ccm
Dunlop on a Honda RS125 exiting the Gooseneck, a bend at the start of the mountain section of the Isle of Man TT course

William Joseph Dunlop (born February 25, 1952 – died July 2, 2000) was an amazing motorcycle racer from Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. People often called him the "King of the Roads" because he was so good at road racing.

Joey Dunlop is famous for winning a record 26 races at the Isle of Man TT, which is one of the toughest motorcycle races in the world. He even won three races in one year, three times! This is called a "hat-trick." His fastest lap on the course was an incredible 123.87 miles per hour.

Besides being a racing superstar, Joey was also a very kind person. He helped children in orphanages in places like Romania. He was given special awards for both his sports achievements and his charity work.

JoeyDunlopTT92
Joey Dunlop racing in the Senior TT in 1992

Joey's Amazing Racing Career

Joey Dunlop was a true legend in motorcycle racing. He won many races and championships throughout his career.

Isle of Man TT Success

The Isle of Man TT is a very famous and challenging race. Joey won 26 races there, more than anyone else. He won his first TT race in 1977 and his last in 2000. He was known for his incredible skill and bravery on the course.

Ulster Grand Prix Wins

Joey also won the Ulster Grand Prix 24 times. This is another major road race. He showed his talent across different types of motorcycles and races.

Formula One World Champion

In 1986, Joey won his fifth straight TT Formula One world title. This championship was based on races, including the Isle of Man TT. It showed he was one of the best riders in the world for many years.

Helping Others: Joey's Charity Work

Joey Dunlop was not just a racer; he had a huge heart. He spent a lot of his time helping children in need.

Delivering Aid to Orphans

Before his racing season started each year, Joey would drive a van full of supplies to orphanages. He visited places like Romania, Albania, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. He brought them clothes and food.

Awards for Kindness

Because of his amazing humanitarian work, Joey was given an OBE award in 1996. This is a special award from the British government.

Joey Dunlop Foundation

After Joey passed away, a charity called the Joey Dunlop Foundation was started. This foundation helps people with disabilities visit the Isle of Man by providing special places for them to stay.

A Close Call: The Shipwreck

Joey Dunlop had a very scary experience in 1985. He was traveling to the Isle of Man for the TT races by boat.

Boat Trouble

On the night of May 23, 1985, Joey and other riders were on a boat called the Tornamona. The boat was heading from Northern Ireland to the Isle of Man. Strong currents pushed the boat onto a rock.

Rescue at Sea

The boat started to sink, but luckily, all 13 people on board were saved. The local Portaferry Lifeboat came to their rescue. Later, divers were able to get the motorcycles back from the sunken boat.

Joey's Life Off the Track

Joey Dunlop was a private person, but some things about his life were well-known.

Family Life and Superstitions

He got married in 1972 and owned a pub in Ballymoney. Joey was also a bit superstitious. He always wore a red T-shirt and a yellow helmet when he raced.

Honored by His Hometown

In 1993, the town of Ballymoney gave Joey the "Freedom of the Borough." This is a special honor given to important people.

Remembering Joey Dunlop

Joey Dunlop Memorial in Ballymoney - geograph.org.uk - 450043
Memorial in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
Statue-tt-races-snaefell
Statue on the TT course

Joey Dunlop sadly died in Tallinn, Estonia, on July 2, 2000. He was racing in a 125cc event when he lost control of his bike in wet conditions.

A Sad Day for Racing

His death was a huge shock to the racing world and to people everywhere. The Estonian government even changed its official website to honor him.

Funeral and Tributes

Thousands of people, including bikers from all over, came to his funeral in Northern Ireland. It showed how much he was loved and respected.

Lasting Memorials

Many things have been named after Joey to remember him.

  • The most successful rider at the annual TT races now wins the "Joey Dunlop Cup."
  • A statue of him stands in his hometown of Ballymoney.
  • On the Isle of Man TT course, there's a statue of Joey on his Honda. A part of the course, near the 26th Milestone, is now called "Joey's."
  • A memorial stone was placed at the crash site in Tallinn.
  • An Irish band called Therapy? even recorded a song called Joey in his memory.

Joey's Racing Records

Here are some of Joey Dunlop's incredible racing achievements.

Complete TT Record

2000 Ultra Lightweight
1
Lightweight 250 TT
1
Junior 600cc
4
Formula One TT
1
Senior
3
1999 Ultra Lightweight
27
Lightweight 250 TT
5
Junior 600cc
5
Formula One TT
2
Senior
5
1998 Ultra Lightweight TT
9
Lightweight TT
1
Senior TT
DNF
1997 Ultra Lightweight
10
Lightweight TT
1
Junior TT
5
Formula One TT
6
Senior TT
7
1996 Ultra Lightweight
1
Lightweight TT
1
Formula One TT
7
Senior TT
2
1995 Ultra Lightweight
DNF
Lightweight TT
1
Junior TT
4
Formula One TT
2
Senior TT
1
1994 Ultra Lightweight
1
Classic Junior
2
Junior TT
1
Supersport 600
7
Formula One TT
3
Senior TT
3
1993 Ultra Lightweight
1
Classic Lightweight
DNF
Junior TT
3
Supersport 60
DNF
Formula One TT
14
Senior TT
11
1992 Ultra Lightweight
1
Junior TT
DNF
Supersport 600
9
Formula One TT
3
Senior TT
DNF
1991 Ultra Lightweight
2
Junior TT
5
Supersport 600
6
Formula One TT
DNF
Senior TT
2
1990 Ultra Lightweight TT
DNF
Junior TT
DNF
Formula One TT
8
Senior TT
16
1988 Production Class B
5
Production Class C
11
Junior TT
1
Formula One TT
1
Senior TT
1
1987 Production Class B
18
Junior 250cc TT
8
Formula One TT
1
Senior TT
1
1986 Production Class C
4
Junior TT
DNF
Formula One TT
1
Senior TT
4
1985 Production 251–750cc
22
Junior TT
1
Formula One TT
1
Senior TT
1
1984 Production 251–750cc
DNF
Junior TT
DNF
Classic TT
2
Formula One TT
1
Senior TT
DNF
1983 Senior Classic TT
3
Formula One TT
1
1982 Classic TT
DNF
Formula One TT
2
1981 Classic TT
DNF
Formula One TT
3
1980 Junior TT
12
Classic TT
1
Senior TT
9
1979 Junior 250cc TT
DNF
Classic TT
6
Formula Two TT
13
Formula One TT
DNF
Senior TT
DNF
1978 Junior TT
11
Classic TT
DNF
Formula Two TT
5
Formula One TT
DNF
Senior TT
DNF
1977 Junior 250cc TT
10
Jubilee TT
1
Classic TT
7
Senior TT
4
1976 Lightweight 250cc TT
DNF
Junior TT
16
Classic TT
DNF
Senior TT
18

Ulster Grand Prix: 24 Victories

Year Class/Race Machine Average
1979 500cc Suzuki 112.76 mph
1979 Superbike 750cc Yamaha 115.34 mph
1980 250cc Yamaha 107.71 mph
1980 Superbike 1000cc Suzuki 116.39 mph
1983 TT F1 920cc Honda 107.38 mph
1984 250cc Honda 110.55 mph
1984 500cc Honda 118.17 mph
1984 TT F1 Honda 114.28 mph
1985 250cc Honda 111.96 mph
1985 500cc Honda 116.14 mph
1985 TT F1 750cc Honda 114.45 mph
1986 Classic Race 500cc Honda 118.29 mph
1988 250cc Honda 112.30 mph
1990 TT F1 750cc Honda 120.87 mph
1991 Superbike Race1 750cc Honda 118.36 mph
1991 Superbike Race2 750cc Honda 110.87 mph
1992 125cc Honda 102.18 mph
1994 125cc Honda 108.83 mph
1994 Superbike Race1 750cc Honda 123.23 mph
1995 250cc Race1 Honda 117.94 mph
1995 250cc Race2 Honda 118.28 mph
1995 Superbike Race1 750cc Honda 122.25 mph
1997 250cc Race2 Honda .
1999 Superbike Race2 750cc Honda

North West 200: 13 Victories

Year Class/Race Machine Average
1979 International Match Race 750cc Yamaha 120.01 mph
1979 NW200 Race 750cc Yamaha 120.34 mph
1981 NW200 Race 1100cc Honda 119.83 mph
1983 500 Race Honda 106.05 mph
1983 NW200 Race 1000cc Honda 105.64 mph
1984 MCN Master Race 750cc Honda 107.02 mph
1985 250 Race 1 Honda 110.95 mph
1985 NW200 Race 750cc Honda 118.68 mph
1986 NW200 Race 750cc Honda 108.05 mph
1987 Superbike Race 750cc Honda 113.29 mph
1987 NW200 Race 750cc Honda 118.61 mph
1987 Production Race 750cc Honda 108.77 mph
1988 Production Race 750cc Honda 109.08 mph

Formula TT World Championship

Year Result/Position
1980 3rd
1981 3rd
1982 1st
1983 1st
1984 1st
1985 1st
1986 1st
1987 2nd
1988 2nd
1990 2nd

World Grand Prix Championships

Year Class Race Position Points
1979 350cc French Grand Prix (Le Mans) 9th 2
1985 250cc British Grand Prix (Silverstone) 10th 1

World Formula 750 Championship

Year Race Position Points
1979 Germany (Hockenheim) 9th 2

Macau Grand Prix

Year Race Position
1982 China (Macau) 3rd
1983 China (Macau) 2nd

Imola 200

Year Race Position
1987 Italy (Imola) 3rd

World Superbikes (WSBK) 1988

Race Result
British (Donington) 3rd race 1, 5th race 2
Hungary (Hungaroring) 6th race 1
Germany (Hockenheim) 7th race 1, 5th race 2

(Joey had 30 points and was 3rd in the championship before he stopped competing. He still finished 13th overall.)

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Joey Dunlop para niños

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