Джой Данлоп: Легенда мотоспорта и символ Северной Ирландии

Northern Irish motorcycle racer (1952–2000)

William Joseph Dunlop (25 February 1952 – 2 July 2000) was a Northern Irish motorcyclist from Ballymoney, County Antrim, who was noted for his performances at the Isle of Man TT. In 2015, he was voted Northern Ireland's greatest ever sports star. Dunlop secured a record 26 victories at the Isle of Man TT, including three hat tricks, and 24 wins at the Ulster Grand Prix. He was awarded the MBE in 1986 for his contributions to the sport and the OBE in 1996 for his humanitarian work in Romanian orphanages. After his death, the Joey Dunlop Foundation was established to provide accommodation for disabled visitors to the Isle of Man. Dunlop's legacy includes the "Joey Dunlop Cup," awarded to the most successful rider at the annual TT races, and several memorials and statues in his honour. Dunlop's career was documented in several films.

He won his third hat trick at the Isle of Man TT in 2000 and set his fastest lap on the course of 123.87 mph in the Senior race, which he finished third. In 2016 he was voted through Motorcycle News as the fifth greatest motorcycling icon ever, behind Valentino Rossi. His achievements include three hat tricks at the Isle of Man TT meeting (1985, 1988 and 2000), where he won a record 26 races in total. A curve at the 26th milestone on the Isle of Man was named in his honour. Along with Frank Kennedy, Mervyn Robinson and Jim Dunlop, he was one of the "Armoy Armada" quartet of 1970s motorcycle racers from Armoy, County Antrim. During his career he won the Ulster Grand Prix 24 times. In 1986, he won a fifth consecutive TT Formula One world title; initially based on one race at the Isle of Man TT after the loss of World Championship status from 1977 onwards and organised by the Auto Cycle Union, the title was eventually expanded to take in more rounds in other countries. He was awarded the MBE in 1986 for his services to the sport, and in 1996 he was awarded the OBE for his humanitarian work for children in Romanian orphanages, to which he had delivered clothing and food. Dunlop has featured in documentary films regarding his career: V Four Victory (1983), Joey – The Man Who Conquered the TT (2013) and Road (2014).

Dunlop helped orphans in the Balkans, driving a van loaded with supplies to orphanages in Romania, Albania and Bosnia Herzegovina before the annual racing season began. In 1996, he received an OBE for his humanitarian work. After Dunlop's death, the Joey Dunlop Foundation was initiated, a charity that provides appropriate accommodation for disabled visitors to the Isle of Man. On 30 January 2015, Dunlop was voted Northern Ireland's greatest sports star by readers of the Belfast Telegraph newspaper.

On the night of 23 May 1985, Dunlop was travelling from Northern Ireland to the Isle of Man for the annual TT races by sea, on board the Tornamona, a former fishing boat. The vessel had departed from Strangford, County Down, with Dunlop, other riders, racing bikes and equipment on board. Strong currents into Strangford Lough pushed the Tornamona onto St Patrick's Rock, where her rudder broke off in a crevice. The boat sank and all 13 passengers and crew were rescued by the Portaferry Lifeboat. The bikes were later recovered by divers. Dunlop was presented with the Freedom of the Borough by Ballymoney Council in 1993.

Dunlop died on 2 July 2000 in Tallinn, Estonia, while leading a 125cc race (he had already won the 750cc and 600cc events) on Pirita Kose Kloostrimetsa Circuit. He appeared to lose control of his bike in the wet conditions and died instantly on impact 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 Ireland television carried live coverage of his funeral. Fifty thousand mourners, including bikers from all parts of Britain and Ireland and people from all backgrounds in Northern Ireland, attended the funeral procession to Garryduff Presbyterian church and his burial in the adjoining graveyard.

The most successful overall rider at the annual TT races is awarded the "Joey Dunlop Cup". A memorial statue was erected in his home town of Ballymoney. On the Isle of Man, a statue of Dunlop astride a Honda overlooks the Bungalow Bend at Snaefell and the 26th Milestone area of the TT course was named "Joey's". A memorial stone was installed at the crash site in Tallinn as well. Irish publishers The O'Brien Press produced a full colour pictorial tribute to Dunlop following his death. Northern Ireland band Therapy? recorded a song in memory of Dunlop, called Joey; it appeared on the album Shameless, released in 2001. Following his death, the Leisure Centre in his hometown of Ballymoney was renamed from the Riada Centre to the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre. In 2001, the Joey Dunlop Memorial Garden was established in the Dunlop family's hometown, and in 2010 the tribute was extended to include the Robert Dunlop Memorial Garden to honour Joey's late brother, Robert Dunlop. On 26 February 2022, a statue of William Dunlop, son of Robert and nephew of Joey, was added to the Memorial Garden. William died while racing at the Skerries 100 event in 2018.

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

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