Joey Dunlop: Motorcycling legend remembered on 25th anniversary of his death

Joey Dunlop’s son Gary said his father had an “inner drive” to succeed in whatever he did as he paid tribute to him 25 years on from his father’s death.

The “King of the Mountain”, died on 2 July 2000 aged 48 while competing in Estonia.

Dunlop was widely considered to be one of the greatest riders in the sport’s history. His long list of honours included 26 Isle of Man TT wins, five Formula One World Championships, 24 Ulster Grands Prix victories and 13 North West 200 successes.

He was also honoured with an MBE in 1986 and an OBE in 1996 for his humanitarian work with children in Eastern Europe.

“There are times when it feels like it was six weeks ago and others where it feels like a full lifetime ago,” Gary told BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme.

“He was very odd, I don’t mean it in a bad way, he was different to anyone I ever met. He had his own way of doing things and everything was calculated with deep thought.

“He was hard to get to know, most of his rivals probably thought he didn’t like them, but that wasn’t the case, that was how he went about his life, he did it quietly and thoughtfully.”

Whilst Gary said the last 25 years have been “so tough” for him and his family, he takes comfort for the regard in which is father is still held.

“I was only 17 when he passed away, but in a cocky way we thought that wouldn’t happen, if you didn’t think that wouldn’t happen you wouldn’t want anyone doing it,” he added.

“I think it’s the same for the riders, if they thought this was going to happen, they wouldn’t jump on a bike.

“I find it astonishing now that people who weren’t even born when he was riding are knocking about with his shirts on and they’re pretty fanatical. We find it really comforting that he is still regarded in a high way.”