RE: Time For Tea? Joey Dunlop On The Isle Of Man

[anonymous-user]

This is great footage. A local UTV documentary on Joey revealed just how highly the Honda top brass thought of him. Some of Joey's own DIY modifications so impressed the Honda engineers that they introduced them on the production bikes. Joey was never very comfortable around anyone wearing a tie (didn't trust them), so the very polite Honda people had a habit of taking off their ties before meeting Joey. Joey's training methods with Robert on Castlerock beach involved an old Marina van, one of the lads lying across the bonnet and the other doing handbrake turns at speed to practice "falling off". After being mis-quoted early in his career, Joey was wary of a certain type of journalist - "tell them boys nothing" was his advice to a contemporary. His charity work was typical of the man - quiet, practical - load up the truck and go deliver it. In a divided Ulster community, Joey transcended both politics and sport. People with no interest in any sport, never mind motorsport or biking, all loved him. I was at a Gaelic football match when news of his passing came through. Normally, you only have a minute’s silence at football matches for people with connections to football. In this case, the announcement was made at the game and everyone stood to attention, shocked and silent. At half time and after the game it was all people could talk about. A true gentleman.

[FestivAli]

Pffft, that's nothing. In about half an hour I'm going to pick up my first bike (2009 Suzuki GS500F) and tackle that other great road course, Albert Park here in Melbourne. Of course, I will probably stall more than Joey...

in all seriousness though, thanks for posting it Pistonheads. I was pretty apprehensive about today as I haven't ridden a bike since doing my learners test at the end of July, and it's quite wet, but this got rid of the fear and reminded me of the awesomeness, cheering me right up.

Ali.

[Strawman]

There is a good documentary on Youtube about Dunlop and the other racers from Armoy the year he won his first TT. Filmed around the N.I. road race circuits rather than the TT.

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS5g3GmV6vs
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNaLT2AH_V4
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4DorhaPf9w
Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOG5NHwf0LU