Robert Dunlop RIP

[Morgs]

Robert Dunlop died during practice for the NW200.

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Motorbikes | Dunlop dies after motorbike crash

The guys that do this racing are mad, mad bastards. Sadly there is now one less of them.

[chief wiggum]

bugger. gotta feel for the family, having lost 2 in racing accidents.

[SPman]

Tragic news!

Martin Finnegan , another top rider was also killed in the run up to the NW..
between-the-hedges.com - Sad news from Tandragee.
between-the-hedges.com - Tragedy strikes as rider dies .


They are hard men, they who take on these races - the pinnacle of the sport, in my opinion, and worthy of the utmost respect!

(or just barking mad, depending on your point of view......)

It can be a cruel sport, sometimes............

[Barfridge]

RIP riders, you get nothing but respect and admiration from me.

[hokoyo]

Totally agree with barfridge. Really sad news, these men are incredible.

Respect and RIP.

Hope you are riding with Joey now.

[hokoyo]

BBC Northern Ireland - North West 200 - Riders

[Ausinanas]

sad news another hero down. RIP

[DAVA]

very sad, and not far from my old house too

[sathid]

RIP mate.


All eyes out for his two sons, who are apparently riding in next years TT.

[iltso2t]

I believe Robert was one of the best all round riders of all time.
He could do the business on a 125, 250 or Superbike on the track and on the roads.
He was a very hard rider a would put you on the grass if you let him.
We both retired at the end of 2004 but Robert couldn't stay away from the racing. He took some time out, had another operation to sort the damage out from his 1994 crash at the TT and came back to start winning once again ! He didn't need the money as he received a large sum from Marvic as compensation when the real wheel collapsed on the RC45 in 94. He just loved to race. His right hand was so weak he could not grip your hand when shaking it. I followed him in races a few times when he would take his left arm of the bars and hold it behind his back to ease the circulation and cramping due to his injuries..

I saw an old result sheet from the NW200 yesterday. 7 of the riders in my race lost their lives racing. We all knew the risks. If you think its worth the risk of losing your life then you do it.

Robert helped me at the NW200 and TT and bothered to take the time to take me round for laps over the years.
I can still picture myself sat in the van between Liam his mechanic and Robert driving over the mountain on the Isle of Man rolling a fag with both hands off the wheel and his right leg doing the steering as though he drove like that all the time !
That is the memory I will carry with me to make me smile.

Robert was the one rider I wanted more than any other to walk away from the sport as he was the last of the great road racers.
Alas it will never happen !
R.I.P. Micro !

Roberts sons Michael and William decided to race on Saturday.
William pulled off after the warm up lap due to machine problems but
watching the NW200 live online with a tear in my eye as Michael won the 250 race yesterday less than 2 days since his dad was killed.
Its was his first race win at the NW200 !
He won by 1.029 seconds and averaged over 176kmh for the race.
He also set the fastest lap of the race @ 177.99kmh
There is nothing like the feeling of slipstreaming 4 or 5 bikes flat out at the NW200 with over 100,000 people watching and waving their programmes in the air urging the Irish riders on. Awesome place. Awesome Awesome racing !
Hope they never stop road racing !

[Dazza996]

terrible news very sad

RIP Robert