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Dunlop son wins NW200 race for dad
'I had to do it for him. I am so proud'
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The son of the late Robert Dunlop has won the first race at the North West
200, just two days after the death of his father on the same circuit.
Michael Dunlop, 20, won the 250cc race, dedicating the victory to his father.
"I had to do it for him. I am so proud.
"It's my dad's home circuit and he was the best round here," said
an emotional Michael to the BBC.
Michael had a tough race against Christian Elkin and John McGuinness during
the race before coming through in the final lap to secure his first North
West win.
Robert's other son, William, had also planned to take part in the race but
was forced to drop out due to mechanical failure.
Robert Dunlop will be laid to rest near his legendary brother Joey in a tiny
Co Antrim rural graveyard tomorrow.
Tens of thousands of mourners, many of whom will attend the North West 200
today, are expected to flood the small village of Garryduff to pay their
last respects to the sporting great who died tragically on Thursday night
following a high speed crash during a practice lap of the North West race.
The father-of-three, who holds the record for the most wins at the event,
sustained serious chest injuries after he was thrown from his bike after it
seized as he approached Mather's Cross.
It is believed he had been travelling up to 160mph. Mechanical failure is
being blamed for the crash.
His funeral is due to take place at the Garryduff Presbyterian Church at 4pm
— a day after the big final race of the North West 200.
Despite, losing her beloved husband to the event, Robert's grieving wife
Louise gave her blessing for the race to go ahead today with organisers
saying it would be a fitting tribute to the 47-year-old.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, a devastated Louise spoke of how the "
light had gone out" in her life as motorbike fans across the world also
struggled to come to terms with the death of the legend.
"The lights have gone out for us," she explained.
"Nothing will ever be the same.
"Robert would never give up racing. He loved it and he regarded
himself as having been a man with two careers. When he had a major accident
in 1994 in the Isle of Man he pulled himself together and decided to race on
despite the fact that physically he wasn't the same man."
Louise added: "I love horses and I was at the Balmoral Show along with
Robert yesterday, but he couldn't wait to get away to race at the North West
200.
"It was his life. But at the same time he knew it would eventually
kill him.
"It's not being dramatic to say he had a premonition of death.
That's not strictly true. But he was aware that the longer he continued to
race the more chance there was of a serious accident. But he was prepared to
accept the risk.
"He had to be in the thick of it himself. That was just his way."
The tragedy echoes the death of his brother, the legendary Joey Dunlop, who
died during a race in Estonia eight years ago.
Clerk of the Course Mervyn Whyte said that, following consultation with the
Dunlop family, today's racing would go ahead.
He said: "We have taken the decision to proceed with tomorrow's North
West 200 which, we believe, will be a fitting tribute to Robert Dunlop.
"Before making this decision I spoke to Robert's widow Louise and
sponsors and they have given their full support.
"Robert Dunlop was a wonderful ambassador for the North West 200 and
for Northern Ireland and we believe he would have wished the event to go
ahead.
"Robert was a wonderful ambassador for the NW200 and for Northern
Ireland and we believe he would have wished the event to go ahead.
"Robert will be remembered with great fondness by all who knew him.
His presence, sense of humour, enthusiasm and love for life will be sorely
missed.
"Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with Louise, Roebrt's sons
Michael, William and Daniel and the wider family circle.
"Our thoughts are also with Darren Burns who was injured Thursday
night. "
Mr Whyte said initial investigations pointed to mechanical failure as a
likely cause of the crash.
He said: "He didn't go off the road. I was at the scene within a couple
of minutes and the medical personnel did their usual brilliant job in
working with him."
He said a more extensive investigation would also take place.
When asked what the loss meant to him personally, Mr Whyte said: "
Robert himself was a great ambassador for the NW, very enthusiastic and
always had a good sense of humour. If he had something to say to me he would
say it."
Alastair Kennedy, from Kennedy International which sponsors the North West,
said that they respected the wishes of the organisers and the family and
backed the race going ahead.
"The best tribute for Robert is to put on an even bigger and better
show than we have done before.
"That's what he would have wished."
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