Joey Dunlop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joey Dunlop |
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Dunlop at the TT races
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Nationality | British | ||||||||||||||
Born | Armoy, Northern Ireland |
25 February 1952||||||||||||||
Died | 2 July 2000 Tallinn, Estonia |
(aged 48)||||||||||||||
Bike number | 3 | ||||||||||||||
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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.
Contents
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 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 |
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1999 | Ultra Lightweight 27 |
Lightweight 250 TT 5 |
Junior 600cc 5 |
Formula One TT 2 |
Senior 5 |
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1998 | Ultra Lightweight TT 9 |
Lightweight TT 1 |
Senior TT DNF |
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1997 | Ultra Lightweight 10 |
Lightweight TT 1 |
Junior TT 5 |
Formula One TT 6 |
Senior TT 7 |
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1996 | Ultra Lightweight 1 |
Lightweight TT 1 |
Formula One TT 7 |
Senior TT 2 |
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1995 | Ultra Lightweight DNF |
Lightweight TT 1 |
Junior TT 4 |
Formula One TT 2 |
Senior TT 1 |
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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 |
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1991 | Ultra Lightweight 2 |
Junior TT 5 |
Supersport 600 6 |
Formula One TT DNF |
Senior TT 2 |
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1990 | Ultra Lightweight TT DNF |
Junior TT DNF |
Formula One TT 8 |
Senior TT 16 |
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1988 | Production Class B 5 |
Production Class C 11 |
Junior TT 1 |
Formula One TT 1 |
Senior TT 1 |
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1987 | Production Class B 18 |
Junior 250cc TT 8 |
Formula One TT 1 |
Senior TT 1 |
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1986 | Production Class C 4 |
Junior TT DNF |
Formula One TT 1 |
Senior TT 4 |
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1985 | Production 251–750cc 22 |
Junior TT 1 |
Formula One TT 1 |
Senior TT 1 |
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1984 | Production 251–750cc DNF |
Junior TT DNF |
Classic TT 2 |
Formula One TT 1 |
Senior TT DNF |
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1983 | Senior Classic TT 3 |
Formula One TT 1 |
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1982 | Classic TT DNF |
Formula One TT 2 |
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1981 | Classic TT DNF |
Formula One TT 3 |
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1980 | Junior TT 12 |
Classic TT 1 |
Senior TT 9 |
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1979 | Junior 250cc TT DNF |
Classic TT 6 |
Formula Two TT 13 |
Formula One TT DNF |
Senior TT DNF |
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1978 | Junior TT 11 |
Classic TT DNF |
Formula Two TT 5 |
Formula One TT DNF |
Senior TT DNF |
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1977 | Junior 250cc TT 10 |
Jubilee TT 1 |
Classic TT 7 |
Senior TT 4 |
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1976 | Lightweight 250cc TT DNF |
Junior TT 16 |
Classic TT DNF |
Senior TT 18 |
Ulster Grand Prix: 24 Victories
Year | Class/Race | Machine | Average |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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1979 | Germany (Hockenheim) | 9th | 2 |
Macau Grand Prix
Year | Race | Position |
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1982 | China (Macau) | 3rd |
1983 | China (Macau) | 2nd |
Imola 200
Year | Race | Position |
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1987 | Italy (Imola) | 3rd |
World Superbikes (WSBK) 1988
Race | Result |
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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
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Joey Dunlop Foundation building at Braddan Bridge, Douglas, Isle of Man
See also
In Spanish: Joey Dunlop para niños