Motorsports

With the Isle of Man TT coming up in a week, it is the perfect time to pause and remember the greatest motorcycling legend this event has ever produced

William Joseph Dunlop, referred to throughout the sport as “Joey”, was as much a philanthropist as he was a motorcycling icon. His achievements include three hat-tricks at the Isle of Man TT and winning a record 26 races in total in a career spanning three decades. He also won the Ulster Grand Prix 24 times and won a fifth consecutive TT Formula One world title in 1986.

Joey Dunlop was less known for his tireless charity work, which was exactly the way he wanted it – in complete anonymity and free from the glare of the spotlights. He made endless trips to Romania, bringing in truck loads of aid to various orphanages in order to help build their careers and there country. Dunlop stated that his proudest award which he was bestowed upon was his OBE for charity rather than all his amazing achievements in his very successful racing career. On 31 December 2009 Joey Dunlop was voted 3rd greatest Irish sportsperson ever.

Joey Dunlop died in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2000 while leading a 125cc race on the Pirita Kose Kloostrimetsa Circuit. He had lost control of his bike in the wet conditions and was killed instantly on impact with trees. Irish publishers The O’Brien Press published a full colour pictorial tribute to Joey following his death.

A memorial statue was erected in his home town of Ballymoney, And on the Isle of Man, a statue of Dunlop astride a Honda overlooking the Bungalow Bend at Snaefell. The 26th milestone area of the TT course has been renamed “Joey’s”. Northern Ireland band Therapy made a song in memory of Dunlop, called Joey. The most successful overall rider at the annual TT races is awarded with the “Joey Dunlop Cup.”

The Isle of Man TT this year starts on 26^th May. Stay tuned for more updates on one of the few surviving and the greatest, most challenging ever road race.

Rossi finally gets a podium win at Le Mans

Valentino Rossi finally was on the podium after a hard-fought race in wet conditions during the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, where he climbed from the third row of the grid to finally finish second on the podium. Starting the race in seventh place on the grid, Rossi quickly advanced to third place, at which point he encountered stiff opposition from Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow. The trio battled it out for a long time, changing positions almost every lap. Around seven laps from the end, Rossi finally put on a burst of speed, setting the fastest lap of the race and closing the gap with Casey Stoner, whom he overtook on the final lap. The Italian’s runner-up finish is his best result with Ducati so far. Jorge Lorenzo eventually won the race, with Stoner rounding up the podium.

A visibly elated Rossi stated that he was really very happy and knew that he had a special opportunity on these wet conditions today so he tried to ride perfectly and not throw it away. When he realized that he could really push hard to pass Stoner, he went to make his move and finally was able to pass Stoner. He added that he enjoyed himself and was very happy for the team and all the guys at Ducati, who all worked so hard to make it happen, and stated at the post-race conference that the team will continue working and tweaking until they become competitive on the dry.

Vittoriano Guareschi (Team Manager, Ducati Corse) said, “We’re very pleased with Valentino’s podium, and it also reflects the great job done by the team over the weekend. we’re overcoming little by little, although we still need to work to get it right. and now we’ll focus on other important areas of the bike. Today Vale was in a situation where he could ride as he’s capable of doing, and he gave us a great show. Vale showed everyone that Ducati, never gives up.”

Rossi finally gets a podium win at Le Mans

Valentino Rossi finally was on the podium after a hard-fought race in wet conditions during the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, where he climbed from the third row of the grid to finally finish second on the podium. Starting the race in seventh place on the grid, Rossi quickly advanced to third place, at which point he encountered stiff opposition from Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow. The trio battled it out for a long time, changing positions almost every lap. Around seven laps from the end, Rossi finally put on a burst of speed, setting the fastest lap of the race and closing the gap with Casey Stoner, whom he overtook on the final lap. The Italian’s runner-up finish is his best result with Ducati so far. Jorge Lorenzo eventually won the race, with Stoner rounding up the podium.

A visibly elated Rossi stated that he was really very happy and knew that he had a special opportunity on these wet conditions today so he tried to ride perfectly and not throw it away. When he realized that he could really push hard to pass Stoner, he went to make his move and finally was able to pass Stoner. He added that he enjoyed himself and was very happy for the team and all the guys at Ducati, who all worked so hard to make it happen, and stated at the post-race conference that the team will continue working and tweaking until they become competitive on the dry.

Vittoriano Guareschi (Team Manager, Ducati Corse) said, “We’re very pleased with Valentino’s podium, and it also reflects the great job done by the team over the weekend. we’re overcoming little by little, although we still need to work to get it right. and now we’ll focus on other important areas of the bike. Today Vale was in a situation where he could ride as he’s capable of doing, and he gave us a great show. Vale showed everyone that Ducati, never gives up.”

The North West 200 race in Ireland this month will see two internationally renowned female riders making their mark on the circuit

Although largely unknown to most Indian bikers, the North West 200, held in the month of May every year in Northern Ireland, is quite a significant motorcycle race in Europe in its own right. Held on a street circuit made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush (also known as The Triangle), the North West 200 is one of the fastest road races in the world with speeds well in excess of 320 kmph.

And, slowly but gradually, this usually male-dominated sport is witnessing a perceptible shift with the inclusion of more and more ladies brave enough to demolish popular opinion that they’re are just there as eye candy and are actually capable of rubbing shoulders with hardened men at speeds that will make ordinary mortals flinch.

Returning for their second year at the NW200 are such two internationally renowned female riders, Simona Zaccardi and Ornella Ongaro, from Italy and France respectively. Of them, Zaccardi (37) has taken part in the Manx Grand Prix as well as the Italian and the European Championships, providing stiff competition to her male counterparts on championship podium finishes and overall points.

She say’s being a woman in this male dominated sport usually throws her in the lime light but still admits that it is not a problem for her and she does not mind it as she is a road racer and not some movie star. Event technical director Mervyn White states that he would like to see more female competitors at the North West event and he says that it is great to have women competing in the NW 200 and proving a point in competitive racing. Here’s wishing the two brave ladies all the best for the North West 200 and all their future racing endeavours.

The North West 200 race in Ireland this month will see two internationally renowned female riders making their mark on the circuit

Although largely unknown to most Indian bikers, the North West 200, held in the month of May every year in Northern Ireland, is quite a significant motorcycle race in Europe in its own right. Held on a street circuit made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush (also known as The Triangle), the North West 200 is one of the fastest road races in the world with speeds well in excess of 320 kmph.

And, slowly but gradually, this usually male-dominated sport is witnessing a perceptible shift with the inclusion of more and more ladies brave enough to demolish popular opinion that they’re are just there as eye candy and are actually capable of rubbing shoulders with hardened men at speeds that will make ordinary mortals flinch.

Returning for their second year at the NW200 are such two internationally renowned female riders, Simona Zaccardi and Ornella Ongaro, from Italy and France respectively. Of them, Zaccardi (37) has taken part in the Manx Grand Prix as well as the Italian and the European Championships, providing stiff competition to her male counterparts on championship podium finishes and overall points.

She say’s being a woman in this male dominated sport usually throws her in the lime light but still admits that it is not a problem for her and she does not mind it as she is a road racer and not some movie star. Event technical director Mervyn White states that he would like to see more female competitors at the North West event and he says that it is great to have women competing in the NW 200 and proving a point in competitive racing. Here’s wishing the two brave ladies all the best for the North West 200 and all their future racing endeavours.