In this new section, we are not going to directly mention the motorcycle Grands Prix. Instead, we're going to delve into the history of the most prestigious race in the world: The Tourist trophy. The mere mention of this name gives shivers to some enthusiasts. Little reminder, for the newbies. THE " TT » is a legendary race, taking place each year on the Isle of Man, a small independent dependency located between England and Northern Ireland. It takes place on a circuit of more than 60 km, traced on the roads since 1907.
Today's topic is quite telling. The greatest pilot in the history of Tourist trophy, quite simply. For some people, Joey Dunlop is a god, a rough diamond. Some people even say they saw him fly, as someone else would say. In reality, it was a bit of all that.
Today we are talking about a myth that eats at the table of
Valentino Rossi, Giacomo Agostini
ou Mike Hailwood. Joey, with his reserved nature, embodied something special. This little thing that made him more alive, “like us”.
Between 1976 and 2000, he traveled the Snaefell Mountain Course. Three times, he achieved the Junior-Formula-Senior triple, the three biggest categories of yesteryear. He mastered every turn, every bump. He seemed to be hovering above the track, constantly on the attack.
There is so much to say. Its popularity in the motorcycling world undoubtedly exceeded that of the names mentioned above. Winner of the Tourist Trophy on 26 occasions (24 at the Ulster Grand Prix), he is unanimously considered the greatest legend of his sport. John McGuinness, one of his “students” and another sacred mountain monster, declared in 2017:
“If I had to reach 26 victories, I would stop. I wouldn't want to exceed it. »
Photo: Christof Berger, at the Tourist Trophy 1992
Imagine such a scenario in MotoGP. Once the leather fell off, the Northern Irishman became calm, reserved and smiling. During his lifetime, he contributed enormously to the situation of orphans in the Balkans, a cause close to his heart. His association still exists today, focused on the Isle of Man.
You may have guessed it: Joey is no longer with us today. A serious accident during an obscure race in Estonia, and then nothing. The funeral was particularly touching. Like'Ayrton Senna, we were all for Dunlop. More than 50 people marched in
Garryduff That day. The Biker had just died.
No one seems able to beat the icon's record. If this day were to arrive in thirty, fifty or a hundred years, tears would inevitably flow down the cheeks of the victor.
See you, Joey.
Tourist Trophy 1990. Photo: Andrew King
“There is a green blur, and a gray blur. I try to stay on the gray blur. »
Cover photo: Christof Berger
