Rival McCallen's tribute to 'icon' Robert

Motorsport

Robert Dunlop has died following a high speed crash during practice for the North West 200

Robert Dunlop on the starting grid moments before the practice session that claimed his life
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Robert Dunlop on the starting grid moments before the practice session that claimed his life

Robert Dunlop on the starting grid moments before the practice session that claimed his life

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• Email your tributes
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VIDEO
• Course Clerk, Mervyn Whyte
• Tributes from fans [1] [2] [3]
• Robert's last interview with BTTV

Rival McCallen says Robert was a sporting icon

Friday, May 16, 2008

Northern Ireland motorcycling great Philip McCallen today described Robert Dunlop as a sporting icon.

As the country attempted to come to terms with the death of Robert, who died last night after an accident at practice for the North West 200, tributes poured in for one of the great characters of Ulster life.

Dunlop was one of Northern Ireland’s most successful sporting stars and hailed from a famous family.

His brother Joey, who died in 2000 in an accident in Estonia, was another motorcycling superstar.

And Robert’s sons William and Michael are making names for themselves in the sport that their father loved.

McCallen, who retired some years ago, was one of Dunlop's closest rivals said: “Robert Dunlop was a sporting icon.

“It's tragic that he should die after the trauma of his brother Joey's death in 2000.

“I raced against both of them and I still feel the thrill which I felt at that time.

“The sport of motorcycling will no doubt move on but this year's North West 200 won’t be the same after the death of one of the most likeable and popular of riders in the history of road racing, and particularly the North West 200."

The promoters of the North West 200 intended to make a statement today as to the immediate future of the event.

Robert’s accident came when his bike appeared to seize with Darren Burns unable to avoid him.

Darren is in hospital with a suspected broken leg.

Dunlop had previously had several accidents, one of which was extremely serious in the Isle of Man in 1994.

Michael Rutter, who was a member of the same Honda team as Dunlop when Robert had that major accident, said: "I knew Robert very well and I always thought he added a lot to the sport.

“As far as I'm concerned it brings it home to you what can happen in a road race, but Robert's accident could have occurred on a short circuit or anywhere else.

“I believe that the bike seized and that can happen anywhere. It's all a great loss to this race which is one of my favourites.”

Billy Nutt, who from 1973 until 2000 was Clerk of the Course at the North West 200, was a lifelong friend of Dunlop.

"We had many ups and downs but we always remained friends," said Nutt.

"He was always a perky character and he liked to argue the point but I believe he accepted any decision which I made regarding the North West 200.

"The death of his brother Joey naturally hit him hard but Robert was determined to race on and as he said at one time there was nothing else he knew how to do. It was his life.”

Hector Neill, owner of the TAS Suzuki team, who knew Robert Dunlop throughout his career said: "It's nothing short of a tragedy that Robert has gone.

“He was the last link to the old days of the Armoy Armada and now all of them are gone.”

Robert, who was 47, holds the record for the most wins at the North West 200 meeting with 15. Sadly he won’t get the the chance to add to that tally.