Robert Dunlop

Isle of Man TT record

A winner on the course at his first attempt, Dunlop won the 1983 Newcomers 350 cm3 Manx Grand Prix, beating other future TT winners Steve Hislop and Ian Lougher. In 1989, he scored his first TT win in the 125 cm3 Class with a new lap record at . In 1990, he repeated his success in the 125 with a new lap record at , and third place in the Formula 1 TT on the Norton Rotary. In 1991, he scored a double victory taking the 125 cm3 Race for the third year in succession with a record at and a new lap record at . He also won the Junior TT at . In 1992, he finished second in the 125 and third in the Junior and Senior, and in 1993, he finished second in the 125.

In 1994, an accident at Ballaugh Bridge in the Formula 1 ended his week. He did not race again in the TT until 1997 in the 125 cm3 Race and took third place. In 1998 he won the Ultra-Lightweight race and in 1999 finished fifth. In 2000, he rode a Honda in the Ultra-Lightweight and brought it home in third place. Over his career, he finished on a TT podium 14 times.

Complete TT record

Awards

On 8 February 2005, Dunlop was the first person to be elected to the "Irish Racer Magazine Hall of Fame".

In February 2006, it was announced that Dunlop and his brother Joey were honoured with Honorary Degrees from the University of Ulster, in light of their achievements in the field of motorcycle racing. On 4 July the pair were awarded honorary Doctorate of the University (DUniv) from the University of Ulster in Coleraine.

Personal life The son of Willie and May Dunlop, he was mentored by close friend Liam Beckett. Married to Louise, the couple had three sons, William, Michael and Daniel. William and Michael both became motorcycle racers.

Death On 15 May 2008, Dunlop died after suffering severe chest injuries in a crash during a practice session at the North West 200. The fatal accident happened in the 250 cc qualifying as the riders approached the Mather's Cross section of the course. When the engine on his motorcycle seized he mistakenly hit the motorcycle's front brake, which was situated beside the clutch on his specially modified bike, and he was thrown over the handlebars at approximately 155 mph (250 km/h). As he crashed, a following rider, Darren Burns, collided with him and suffered a broken leg and concussion in the accident. Dunlop was taken to Causeway Hospital in Coleraine before succumbing to his injuries shortly after 22:00 local time. Dunlop had been racing in the 250 cc class that year for the first time since the 1994 Isle of Man TT. His son Michael went on to win the race and dedicated the victory to his father.

Dunlop's funeral took place on 18 May at Garryduff Presbyterian Church in his home town of Ballymoney. Thousands of mourners, including political leaders and figures from the world of sport, attended the service. Dunlop was laid to rest beside his brother, Joey.