Robert Dunlops Death Mars NW200
Added on Monday, May 26th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Image: Clifford McClean Photography
Death of Joey’s younger brother casts a shadow on the NW200 Road Race Festival.
The NW200 Road Races have long been regarded as one of the great events in bike racing, second only to the TT in terms of atmosphere, speed and the close proximity of spectators to the action. But the death of one of its greatest competitors, 15 times NW200 winner Robert Dunlop, cast a long shadow over the 2008 event.
Dunlop, aged 47 from Ballymoney NI, was riding his RS250 during practice week and crashed at Mathers Cross, travelling at speeds of around 160mph. Witnesses described seeing Dunlop’s bike apparently seize up, with the rider thrown forwards into the road. A Police and MCUI investigation was immediately launched into the tragic racing accident and after much reflection, the NW200 organisers decided to go ahead with the event on Saturday. Incredibly, Robert’s son Michael Dunlop won the 250 race on Saturday, with some emotionally charged scenes reportedly seen around the podium.
There can be no doubt that Robert Dunlop was one of the greatest ‘pure roads’ racers of his generation and it could be argued that if it wasn’t for the terrible accident he suffered at the TT back in 1994 Dunlop may well have had more success at the Isle of Man. His pre `94 success included a 3rd place on the Norton Rotary in 1990, plus a record-breaking 125cc victory the same year. Dunlop claimeda hat trick of 125 TT race wins in the early 90s and he proved the only rider capable of getting anywhere near Hislop vs Fogarty in their legendary 1992 Senior showdown, with Dunlop ‘Junior’ beating Yer Maun Joey and claiming third place in that classic TT duel.
But in 1994, that TT promise was cut short when Robert’s Honda RC45 rear wheel collapsed at Ballaugh and he spent two years recovering from the catalgue of injuries he sustained, indeed many thought he would never race again, such was the damage done to one of his legs, which was shorter than the other due to the accident’s long lasting effects. He returned to racing, amid some controversy, and claimed more 125cc success, making an emotional TT comeback in 1997 to claim 3rd in the 125 Ultra Lightweight, then notching up a 125 victory in 1998, leading from start to finish.
Like his elder brother Joey, Robert had a quiet determination which burned inside him, and kept him racing well into his 40s, despite the victories proving more difficult to achieve as he became older, and his physical condition weakened. Indeed Robert Dunlop retired in 2004, only to come back to the NW200 in 2005 and claim a win on his return. His need to race, the hunger for victory, still remained. With sons William and Michael Dunlop carrying the mantle forwards, the spirit of both Joey and Robert lives on, especially at the TT and NW200, where riders compete mainly for the love of the sport, and the ultimate challenge of racing on closed public roads.
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