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ISLE OF MAN - To mark the 30th anniversary of Joey’s Dunlop first Isle of Man TT win with Honda his former team mate and Honda TT Legends rider John McGuinness contested Sunday’s (June 2, 2013) Superbike race in tribute Dunlop livery.
Dunlop died in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2000 while leading a 125cc race. He apparently lost control of his bike in wet conditions and was killed on impact with trees.
Watch a video tribute
The red-and-black Joey Dunlop/Honda Britain design on the Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR Fireblade and McGuinness’s leathers is based on what Dunlop wore for his final Isle of Man TT in 2000.
CELEBRATION TIME
The tribute is part of a weekend-long celebration by Honda that paid homage to the “King of the Road”. The manufacturer also hosted a gala dinner with special guest appearances by Dunlop’s former team mates Ron Haslam, Roger Marshall, Roger Burnett, Carl Fogarty, Phillip McCallen, Michael Rutter and John McGuinness as well as his wife Linda Dunlop and nephews Michael and William Dunlop.
Honda (UK) racing manager Neil Tuxworth said: “There are a few reasons why we decided to celebrate the life and times of Joey Dunlop. First of all he is Honda’s longest-standing factory rider – he rode for us longer than any other rider in any championship in Honda’s history – and on top of that he won five World championships and 26 TT races, 24 of which were on Honda machines.
"It was in 1983 that Dunlop secured his first TT win with Honda so 2013 marks the 30th anniversary and it seemed the perfect time to honour him and his career achievements.”
John McGuinness said: “It’s an honour to be asked to take part in the tribute to Joey. He was and still is the most famous road racer of all time and although it’s 30 years since his first Honda win he’ll never be forgotten.
"Seeing the tribute design for the first time brought back all the memories of being Joey’s team mate. It’s an iconic design and he just looked so cool so it’s going to be pretty special getting to wear it in his memory.”
Dunlop died in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2000 while leading a 125cc race. He apparently lost control of his bike in wet conditions and was killed on impact with trees.
Watch a video tribute
The red-and-black Joey Dunlop/Honda Britain design on the Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR Fireblade and McGuinness’s leathers is based on what Dunlop wore for his final Isle of Man TT in 2000.
CELEBRATION TIME
The tribute is part of a weekend-long celebration by Honda that paid homage to the “King of the Road”. The manufacturer also hosted a gala dinner with special guest appearances by Dunlop’s former team mates Ron Haslam, Roger Marshall, Roger Burnett, Carl Fogarty, Phillip McCallen, Michael Rutter and John McGuinness as well as his wife Linda Dunlop and nephews Michael and William Dunlop.
Honda (UK) racing manager Neil Tuxworth said: “There are a few reasons why we decided to celebrate the life and times of Joey Dunlop. First of all he is Honda’s longest-standing factory rider – he rode for us longer than any other rider in any championship in Honda’s history – and on top of that he won five World championships and 26 TT races, 24 of which were on Honda machines.
"It was in 1983 that Dunlop secured his first TT win with Honda so 2013 marks the 30th anniversary and it seemed the perfect time to honour him and his career achievements.”
John McGuinness said: “It’s an honour to be asked to take part in the tribute to Joey. He was and still is the most famous road racer of all time and although it’s 30 years since his first Honda win he’ll never be forgotten.
"Seeing the tribute design for the first time brought back all the memories of being Joey’s team mate. It’s an iconic design and he just looked so cool so it’s going to be pretty special getting to wear it in his memory.”
