Unbelievable - Robert Dunlop, brother of the late, great Joey, has just died following a heavy crash during the North-West 200 meeting. He was 48 - so sad he could not set aside the motorcycle racing addiction which has now bitten him. These great road racers from the island really were a breed apart - the survivors still are.

DCN

So sad to hear this news, Doug. As you say, just like his late brother, the 'pull' of the track was just too strong to resist. Two fantastic racers who just loved to race for racing's sake, and both very humble men.

On the motorcycle racing thread, where many contributors had met him or seen him race, and have themselves raced, we were all stunned to hear the news - a fine tribute was posted here:

http://forums.autosport.com/showthread.php...417#post3129417

RIP Robert.


Paul M

Dreadful news, makes me think is it really worth it. Even the very best seem to get caught out. Only a few weeks after Martin Finnigan passed away in another road race in Ireland. I drove (in my car) the Dundrod circuit a couple of days ago and I now know just how dangerous it is for bikers and how it was for the likes of Moss, Fangio and all the other brave souls who traveled the course of the great road circuits.

Interview from a couple of years ago on Irish radio - sad to listen to

http://www.rte.ie/podcasts//2007/pc/pod-v-...obertdunlop.mp3

Ten days ago Martin Finnegan, yesterday Robert...

RIP guys

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/loc...icle3706719.ece

Such depressing news. My thoughts are very much with the Dunlop family. I really don't know what else to say... Road racing truly is a cruel sport.


Justin

Saw this on the Beeb site this afternoon. Very sad.

Non-racing fan colleagues - with no malice at all - offered their condolences but mentioned "that's how it is with organ donor racing." Personally, I'm with Bruce McLaren: "To do something well is so worthwhile, that to die trying to do it better cannot be considered foolhardy."

APL

Oh no. This is terrible news.

Doug is absolutely right, these road racers are indeed a breed apart. Motorcycle road racing is an anachronism in this day and age, which is what makes it so beautiful. It can be terrifyingly sad as well, just like it used to be in the old days...

RIP Robert - I´m sure you will line up alongside Joey and Martin once again.

very sad indeed. like his brother before, Robert was a "racer" through and through.
Godspeed Robert.

It is deperately sad that we have lost Robert

I dont believe that it is sad "that he could not set aside the motorcycle racing addiction that has now bitten him" - I think that is precisely what defines him, his brother Joey, and all the other brave riders that understand the challenge of these road circuits and want to rise to that challenge.

A brave and talented man - rest in peace Robert

Staggering news, and as if to prove the it's in the genes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7406127.stm

no more fitting tribute

Michael Dunlop is just amazing, what an incredible story... Can you imagine the depths of courage and emotion involved here? Words fail me...

Crushingly sad news. I am in complete awe of these road racers. Farewell, Robert.

Well done Michael, your Dad and Uncle Joey would be so proud of you.

Another Dunlop star on the roads.

Michael Dunlop up:....... Father Robert. Proud. Uncle Proud also

Signed for my son Barney in 1994

I'm absolutely staggered to read that Michael could have done such a thing so soon after the loss of his father.



Likewise. Long live the Dunlop legacy


Justin

I was in Ireland and had just returned from doing a few exploratory laps at Kells when I heard that Robert had been badly injured during NW200 practice that evening. I desperately hoped that he would pull through as he had following his 1994 accident at the IOM TT but sadly it was not to be. My condolences to Wee Rabs family.

If you check out BBC's new iPlayer feature there are 2 hours worth of Northwest 200 highlights to download.But be quick the files will disappear off the sute in a couple of days!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/categories/?f...%3Aalphabetical

The 250 race (which is the first one on part 1) with young Dunlop taking that remarkable win is one of those genuinely outstanding sporting moments that brings a tear to your eye.
A wonderful ride and no better tribute to his dad and indeed the whole Dunlop family who've given so much to the sport.

Incredible sad story indeed.


Robert Dunlop fatally crashed while practicing a Honda 250. Did he plan participating in the same class race, alongside his sons Michael and William?

It's always tragic and sad when I rider loses his life doing something he loves and in all honesty I cannot see that it's such a surprise. I've been to the Isle of Man TT races twice in the last four years and the speeds these brave men do on what are in effect country roads beggars belief. What surprises me is that it doesn't happen more often. On man made circuits with big gravel traps, riders fall off with regularity and then get up, dust themselves down and carry on. In road races, almost nothing can prevent serious injury when making contact with telegraph posts, stone walls and kerbs. At the age of 47yrs, Robert Dunlop's luck finally ran out.

The organisers of the big road races like the TT, NW 200 and UGP do what they can for safety, with foam bales on walls, posts, etc - at the NW200 quite a few chicanes have been added over the years too.

Ironically, it seems Robert's crash was due to his 2-stroke bike seizing at top speed on his first practise lap, and then being hit by the next rider, which could have happened on a short-circuit (and indeed many similar accidents have occurred over the years.

But the longer you keep racing, the worse the odds get..........

Paul M

A clip on Joey 2 peas in the same pod.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbWevU43sCw&feature=related

RIP Robert and Joey

If you have'nt seen the 250 race yet then you should try and spare 20 minutes to watch it before its removed from the BBC site. Michael said afterwards he was only going out to keep William company on the warm up lap, then Williams bike broke... Unbelievable....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/nw200...2008&race=250cc

Amazing! thanks for the link, I had not seen the race, a fitting tribute to Robert from one of his lads.

Did any other bike fans notice that there wasn’t even a mention of Robert in the Motocourse annual last year? I can’t think how they managed to overlook his passing.

(P.S. Can we move this to the motorcycle section please?)