Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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One short of a six pack. The lights are on but no one's home

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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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Joey Dunlop

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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Blaidd Drwg »

Yer Maun Joey....

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Say the name Joey Dunlop to any true bike fan in almost any part of the world and they will know instantly who you are talking about. Not some here-today-gone-tomorrow, manufactured “superstar” with an ego to match his pay-cheque, but a quiet, shy part-time publican from a small town in Northern Ireland.

“The world’s greatest living sportsman”, the words of Big D, Ireland’s loudest commentator are an apt description of this most remarkable of men. William Joseph Dunlop MBE OBE, is the greatest motorcycle racer that has ever lived. I say that without shame or without doubt.

He was, and will remain, a hero to hundreds of thousands of people, young and old alike, in every far-flung corner of the world. He inspired generations of young Irishmen to take up motorcycle road racing, and can almost single-handedly take the credit for the strength of the road racing scene today.

But Joey wouldn’t dream of it. In fact he would be embarrassed beyond belief at the very mention of such a notion. The man was modest almost to the point of self-denial. He never wanted the limelight, the fame or the attention. Joey was a reluctant hero. He just wanted to race bikes and to win.

The Dunlop legend all started rather inconspicuously aboard a £50 Triumph Tiger Cub at Maghaberry in 1969, “as a bit of fun with my mates”. It was the mid 1970’s before Joey established himself as a regular winner, and from that point on, he never looked back. He entered his first TT race in 1976: “It was wet, I rode a 250, and I’d never been round the circuit before, even in a car. I remember coming up to Ballacraine and didn’t know whether to turn right, left or straight ahead!” Amazingly, and perhaps as a foresight of what was to come, he finished all three races he started in, including a good 16th position in the Junior 350 event aboard a new 350 Rea Yamaha. The following year, still a virtual unknown at the TT, he beat all the favourites to take the 1977 Jubilee TT aboard a privately-entered TZ 750 Yamaha. A few barren TT years followed before he won the 1980 Classic 1000cc race, again Yamaha-mounted.

That same year he joined the works Honda team-with Honda boss Bob McMillan promising him “bikes for life”-to begin a 21 year association, making him Honda’s most loyal servant bar none. The men in suits at Honda tried to change Joey, his unkempt appearance and almost incoherent accent not really conforming to the Honda image. But it was soon apparent that they were wasting their time, and they left him pretty much to his own devices, supplying him with the machinery required to do the job.

And do the job he most certainly did. As well as winning countless Irish road races, including the Ulster GP and North West 200, he started winning TT races for Honda in 1983, beginning a winning run in the F1 event that was to last for 6 consecutive years from 1983-88 during which time he was F1 World Champion on 5 occasions.

But the genius of Joey Dunlop extends much further than his many big-bike wins; equally at home on any bike from 125cc-1000cc, Joey was easily the most versatile rider of his generation . How many of today’s WSB or GP riders could do a 120mph lap of the TT course on a 1000cc V-Twin, jump straight off that onto a 125cc bike, and do a 107mph lap ? None. Joey and his raw, unadulterated talent stand alone.

At home in Ireland, Joey’s record on the pure roads circuits will probably never be bettered. He was victorious in 24 Ulster Grands Prix, 13 North West 200’s, and countless other races in the domestic series, including 17 wins here at the Skerries 100, making him the joint record holder for the most wins along with the great Raymond McCullough. Indeed Joey still holds the course lap record of 105.95mph, set in the 1999 Grand Final race, one of the most thrilling road races I have ever had the privilege to witness. It will be a long, long time before that lap record is bettered.

On the Isle of Man, Joey’s final tally of 26 TT wins will never be surpassed. 12 more wins than his nearest rival, and the only rider to win a hat-trick of hat-tricks at the TT, Joey had infinitely more talent than any rider on the current scene around the circuit which he made his own. I have spent many an evening or afternoon watching as Joey came around lap after lap, on the same line every time, totally at one with the bike, be it a 125cc single or a 750 4-stroke. Smooth doesn’t even begin to describe his riding style: Joey was pure poetry in motion.

His greatest ever win came this year, his 32nd year of racing, in what was to be his last ever TT race meeting. His victory in the F1 race on a totally new, ill handling Honda VTR SP1, which he had hardly ridden before, was the crowning glory of a glittering career. He and his family received a standing ovation at the prize presentation, the likes of which will never be seen or heard on such a scale again.

But there was another side to Joey that only his closest knew so well. A quiet, devoted family man with 5 children to his childhood sweetheart Linda, the pair recently renewed their marriage vows in the same church in which they were married all those years ago.

Although he was awarded the MBE for his services to motorcycle sport, it was perhaps his OBE for charity work which best gives an insight into this remarkable man’s persona. Twice he has travelled with aid to Bosnia and once each to Romania and Albania, all under his own volition and all at his own expense. He would travel around the Ballymoney area in his own van collecting food and clothes from locals. When the van was full, he set off to wherever he was going. No fanfare. No razamatazz. Just Joey and a battered van full of aid, destined for those less fortunate than himself. Such a simple gesture. Please take a few moments to think about this.

Such selfless, humble, decent acts only served to deepen the enigma and mystique that surrounded the quiet Irishman known universally as “Yer Maun”.

I am going to miss Joey hugely. His death has been an abominable tragedy beyond words. Such a great man did not deserve to lose his life in an unimportant race in a little-known part of the world, thousands of miles form his loved ones. I do know one thing though: if he could have chosen to go any way, it would’ve been in the saddle of a Honda. Joey died a happy and content man, doing what he did best. Several times he was told he should retire, to which he replied, “It’s what I do best. It’s in my blood. It’s what I like and until I feel I can’t do it any more I’ll keep on.”

Everyone has their favourite memory of Joey and mine will stay with me for the rest of my days. It was at the Southern 100 on the Isle of Man in 1999, and I stood watching Joey working frantically on his bike in order to make the next practice session. A man with a young son approached Joey and asked if his son, who was probably no older than four could have his picture taken with him. Joey smiled, downed his tools and lifted the boy upon to the petrol tank of his bike and sat smiling on the saddle himself whilst the overjoyed father took the picture. The man thanked Joey, who smiled and carried on working flat out on the bike. That young child now has a keepsake that he should treasure forever. And that for me summed up Joey as person: humble, kind and someone who always had time for anyone.

Many clichés and phrases have been synonymous with the name Joey Dunlop over the years and it would be all to easy to conclude with one or two of them. Instead however, I feel the final words should go to the man who asked for so little throughout life, but gave so much to so many.

“I never really wanted to be a superstar. I just want to be myself. I hope that’s how people remember me.” We certainly will Joey. We certainly will. God bless.
"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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“Shortly after completing triple TT wins in a single week to take his unequalled total to 26, Joey lost his life racing in Estonia in 2000. Within a year of that tragedy the Joey Dunlop Foundation was created on the Isle of Man. The aim was to realise one of Joey’s dreams – to provide a facility for the less able to take a holiday without the worries of level access for wheelchair users and making it easy to bathe and live as independently as possible.”
“Braddan Bridge House is all about making life inclusive no matter what challenges are faced, or where the guests come from – the Joey Dunlop Foundation is ‘inclusive’ in the broadest sense possible and welcomes everyone from school children through to adults with no upper age limit – just bring your carers or family and friends with you!”
"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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No one died in any of these....

"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill

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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by terra »

I knew this thread would be about IOM.

Closer to the Edge is a great flick.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Tirofijo »

Blaidd Drwg wrote:One short of a six pack. The lights are on but no one's home


Great doc. Thanks to all that recommended it.

Slight spoiler alert below.














Anywhere to watch something similar about the 2012 IOM? I'm hesitant to even google "Guy Martin" lest I learn he crashed and burned again in 2012.

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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by odin »

have you heard Guy Martin speak? Do you get any of what he says? I struggle with his accent and am from roughly the same part of the world. How he gets TV gigs is beyond me.
Don't try too hard, don't not try too hard


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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odin wrote:have you heard Guy Martin speak? Do you get any of what he says? I struggle with his accent and am from roughly the same part of the world. How he gets TV gigs is beyond me.

The first time through the on board was a little rugged..until I realized he pronounced "flat out" as one word,. flaa'out. After that it fell into line.
He's got a lot of personality, and he's ultra articulate about his craft. Plus I'd bet that as the UK gets increasingly populated with non-euros, regional accents like his Lincolnshire whatever the fuck will get fetishized.
"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Shapecharge »

In my infrequent quiet moments alone, particularly after a few drinks, my mind wanders to a few things on occasion. Besides pussy one is martial arts related i.e. the grappling arts and the other is motorcycling. I love riding motorcycles. Other than perhaps a single pilot flying a high performance aircraft in combat I can't think of anything else that melds a man with a machine other than motorcycling. The risk of failure being really really bad. Riding a bike with speed is a most wonderful thing that need not be shared with anyone other than yourself and those that do it with exceptional skill and grace should be held in the highest esteem.


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Blaidd Drwg »

Great little piece on the IOM.

"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill

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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Shafpocalypse Now »

Wow, Shape, I feel the same way, despite not having ridden in several years.

I tell people I want to go cross country on a bike and they think I'm crazy. When I was single and rode, I regularly rode 10-12 hour rides.


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Shapecharge »

When the weather gets a little more stable I'm gonna make a run to Alabama to see an old jarhead friend then head up to Louisville to see my son. I'm riding a Multistrada now but I'm itching for that new HP4 BMW.


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

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Shapecharge wrote:When the weather gets a little more stable I'm gonna make a run to Alabama to see an old jarhead friend then head up to Louisville to see my son. I'm riding a Multistrada now but I'm itching for that new HP4 BMW.
I had forgotten you bought the Strada. Italian Twin AND Fuel Injected, that's easy living right there. I Jelly.
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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Crust Bucket »

Shapecharge wrote:When the weather gets a little more stable I'm gonna make a run to Alabama to see an old jarhead friend then head up to Louisville to see my son. I'm riding a Multistrada now but I'm itching for that new HP4 BMW.
Good for you Shape I hope you have fun with it.
Unfortunately you brought me to tears... TEARS! I want one of those HP4 BMW's now too.
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Shapecharge
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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Shapecharge »

Crusty I spent the better part of an hour rapping with Nate Kern, one of BMW's factory riders at the bike show here about a month or so ago. He told me BMW has some great shit planned around the whole active suspension setup. That HP4 is a fucking awesome bike...about 195 hp and around 375 pounds in the full carbon version.

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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Crust Bucket »

Shape that's great. I've been following the saga of the HP4 for a little bit and look forward to seeing it around these parts soon.
syaigh wrote: The thought of eating that giant veiny monstrosity makes me want to barf.
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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Blaidd Drwg »

I'm still hung up on the HP2...the only Oilhead I could ever love.

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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Holland Oates »

I don't even like motorcycles but I want one of those ww2 Chinese BMW knock off sidecar bikes.


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Re: Slow in the Slow, Fast in the Fast.

Post by Blaidd Drwg »

Ed Zachary wrote:I don't even like motorcycles but I want one of those ww2 Chinese BMW knock off sidecar bikes.

Ural?

it's Ruskie. The import arm to the states is headquartered..(or was) in Sea. The 2wd seems like the tip.

"He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." JS Mill

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