William Dunlop - Motorcycle Racer

[Deleted]

I don't know if any of you follow motorcycle road racing but this is yet another sad story to beset this tragic family. During my working career I was fortunate to work with both Robert and Joey Dunlop - great riders, and fairly shy, down to earth family men.

William Dunlop was the son of Robert Dunlop and nephew of the great Joey Dunlop. He has a younger brother Michael Dunlop who is also a famous road racing motorcyclist.

William's father Robert successfully raced motorcycles at UK race circuits for the JPS Norton team amongst others, and also on the roads and competed in the Isle of Man TT races
(winning 6), North West 200 amongst many others. He was badly injured at the IOM TT in 1994 after the rear wheel on his Honda collapsed after landing at Ballaugh Bridge, sending him into a wall. He made a recovery of sorts and returned to racing but was sadly killed in practice at the 2005 North West 200 in Northern Ireland. He was 47 years old.

William's uncle was the late, great Joey Dunlop who had won 26 IOM TT races and countless other road races. He was sadly killed in 2000 aged 48 in Estonia during a road race which he had attended that year instead of competing at The Skerries as he normally would have done. He had decided to give the Skerries a miss as one of his former sponsors had committed suicide just prior to the Skerries race.

William himself had previously won several races at the North West 200 but had crashed at the 2014 IOM TT breaking his left leg. He had had mixed results since and was sadly killed during practice for The Skerries race this weekend. He was just 32 years old.

Michael, aged 29, has so far won 18 IOM TT races and is a regular competitor at the North West 200 and countless other Irish road races. His nickname is "Raging Bull" due to his rampaging, often reckless, racing style and character.

I sincerely don't wish any ill on him but with the best will in the world it would appear to be just a matter of time before Michael suffers the same fate as his brother, father and uncle.

[Dutchpeter]

Road racing is savage, and even the best aren’t immune from its dangers. It’s really a throw back to the old Grand Prix era when you had tracks like Nurburgring , Spa franchamp where Barry Sheene Still holds the fastest ever MotoGP lap from 1977! Imatra in Finland where you went over a level crossing! All fast and dangerous. Ex world champion Phil Read said he’d relax after the sixth death of the season as no more would usually occur. Scarborough is the only UK race that still exists similar to that. RIP William, I really don’t know how the Dunlop’s will stay strong.

[Deleted]

You're right it's just so very dangerous. The idea that a straw bale can safely and effectively protect a rider from serious injury when crashing into a wall or telegraph pole at speeds in excess of 150 mph is absolutely ludicrous. I was involved in the sport for about 15 years and have known quite a few riders who have unfortunately been killed doing the thing they loved. Damp spots under trees, low sun obscuring vision, rider error, etc etc etc it's just so unforgiving. To think that the lap record round the IOM TT course is now 16 minutes 42.778 seconds or 135.452 miles per hour (achieved by Peter Hickman on a BMW S1000RR in 2018) is absolutely mindblowing.

[Deleted]

It’s really sad but I guess it’s the nature of the beast. To take racing away from these guys would destroy them so they continue to race, harder, faster, pushing the limits until they push a little too far and tradgedy strikes. They know the risks but their love for what they do far outweighs any doubts or fear.

I’ve known guys who’ve raced at amateur level and used to get along to Cal Crutchlows private practice sessions ( before he got his Moto GP ride ) and I know their passion. It’s a genuine love, a love that’s almost life itself to them.

I don’t race and have no desire to do so but I do ride and I do love it. I love the lifestyle, the smell of bikes, the thrill and buzz of the ride, just hanging out with bikers, cleaning and maintaining my ride, just the whole bike thing. I decided a few years ago to give up biking. I managed just over a year and had to go back, I missed it hugely. I knew, my wife knew, my kids knew, we all knew I had to go back. For the Dunlop’s it’s in the blood, they all know the dangers but to be without it would destroy them. It’s really, really sad but I can understand their need to do what they do.

[woodstein]

Jul 8, 2018 19:22:24 GMT @deesidestokie said:

I don't know if any of you follow motorcycle road racing but this is yet another sad story to beset this tragic family. During my working career I was fortunate to work with both Robert and Joey Dunlop - great riders, and fairly shy, down to earth family men.

William Dunlop was the son of Robert Dunlop and nephew of the great Joey Dunlop. He has a younger brother Michael Dunlop who is also a famous road racing motorcyclist.

William's father Robert successfully raced motorcycles at UK race circuits for the JPS Norton team amongst others, and also on the roads and competed in the Isle of Man TT races
(winning 6), North West 200 amongst many others. He was badly injured at the IOM TT in 1994 after the rear wheel on his Honda collapsed after landing at Ballaugh Bridge, sending him into a wall. He made a recovery of sorts and returned to racing but was sadly killed in practice at the 2005 North West 200 in Northern Ireland. He was 47 years old.

William's uncle was the late, great Joey Dunlop who had won 26 IOM TT races and countless other road races. He was sadly killed in 2000 aged 48 in Estonia during a road race which he had attended that year instead of competing at The Skerries as he normally would have done. He had decided to give the Skerries a miss as one of his former sponsors had committed suicide just prior to the Skerries race.

William himself had previously won several races at the North West 200 but had crashed at the 2014 IOM TT breaking his left leg. He had had mixed results since and was sadly killed during practice for The Skerries race this weekend. He was just 32 years old.

Michael, aged 29, has so far won 18 IOM TT races and is a regular competitor at the North West 200 and countless other Irish road races. His nickname is "Raging Bull" due to his rampaging, often reckless, racing style and character.

I sincerely don't wish any ill on him but with the best will in the world it would appear to be just a matter of time before Michael suffers the same fate as his brother, father and uncle.

A good piece until the stupid last paragraph. We and they know how dangerous it can be but just because misfortune have hit that family doesn't mean it will claim another. The more members take part then the odds do change but that last bit you said was wasn't right.

[Deleted]

Attachment Deleted


This is my only Uncle he died before I was born on Florence roundabout riding that bike which I think is a Norton frame with BSA engine as was the thing then ( Really just guessing) 1955. so before I was born.

I had to ask his mother, my Grandma for permission to name my son after him which was given with the proviso that he never rode a bike. I kept my word even though My father rode a bike and I had many.

I guess it's just in the blood and once you've rode one you soon NEED a faster one. I've got my scars from accidents but I've also got some of the best memories I've ever had of a time in my life where I lived to the max with fellow bikers who I can only describe as the best family I ever had...