At the end of a traumatic year, Road Racing Ireland’s Leslie Moore talks to Michael Dunlop about the aftermath of the tragic death of his father Robert, his race successes, his battles on and off the road with brother William, the financial and physical struggle to keep racing, and the racer’s hopes for a brighter 2009

Six months back I interviewed young Michael Dunlop on the death of his father, his decision to carry on racing and how he successfully rode at the TT races. As Christmas approached I caught up with him to find out if life had become more bearable.

Michael says: "After the TT I seemed to be the people's champion and the new Dunlop hero. I just wished I could have had another week racing at the TT as it was enjoyable and I wasn't under any pressure.

“My mother was happy for what I had achieved and the decision I had made by myself. Still she was glad to see me back in the yard.

“There had been some ‘balloons’ who were posting things on websites about how I was riding at the TT, saying I was riding like a nutter on the kerbs and stuff. No mother needs to hear the likes of that. I was proud of what I had done myself for all the right reasons and not letting the Dunlop name down. I also found that I could survive without dad although it's hard.

“Back home at the Irish road races it was nice that people acknowledged what I achieved and I enjoyed listening to their accounts of my riding style. Other riders in the paddock also took time to congratulate me. It was just great to be back to the grass roots of racing.

“At Skerries my brother William was also back after saying he wasn't for continuing with road racing. He took that opportunity to change his plans and was now with CD Racing. At the time there was still a bit of tension between us and we had rows over stupid things.

“I thought of the garage as "my garage" as I mostly worked there with dad. William took dad's spot in the garage when I felt it should have been mine. Then some of dad's special bits disappeared which I felt was part of my inheritance.

“William didn't understand that I was not against him. I wanted him to ask for my help but he thought I didn't know anything about bikes. There are outsiders who were trying to turn William against me. He thought I would only jeopardise his bikes as we were racing together.

“Then at the end of season meeting at Bishopscourt he finally asked me to help him out which made me so happy. We worked really well together and I worked on his bike as if it was my own. All William had to do was throw his leg over it and race it. I knew from his qualifying times where he broke the 250 lap record five times that he was happy within himself. It also gave me a great sense of pride.

“As for us racing he knows that on equal machinery I am one of his main challengers. I used to consider him as just another rider but now I think about him more and now he speaks to me more about us racing.

“Things came to a head at Killalane when I was leading the 125 race. In the closing laps my machine began cutting out and William caught and passed me. Then when my machine fired-up again I chased after him.

“Going onto the last lap we both knew it was better to lead going onto the back narrow roads. William was braking hard for the first corner and was pushing me out onto the dusty stuff which resulted in my front wheel tucking in and then he did the same. I jumped up thinking it was all a laugh but he wasn't as happy and looking at him I could see what he was thinking. So I jumped back on the bike and got away as quickly as possible.

“People then started saying that I had taken him out and stuff like that, it got blown well out of all proportion.

“Well if I thought William was upset my granny was worse after someone informed her that I had taken William out. I thought I was going to have a boxing bout with this 75-year-old.

“William now admits that he saw me slowing and went for it. We were racing hard but we never touched and I certainly never took him out. William knows what happened and there are no grudges. In fact we have got along better after that incident but we just have different outlooks on everything which they say is sometimes natural with some brothers.

“Still he is my big brother and I have nothing but respect for him.

“My other brother Daniel has also been a great help to us by helping mother with some finances. He's putting his life on the line everyday and has seen some horrific scenes. Still he has his army mates and they all stick together.

“People think that we are well off after dad got his claim a few years ago. You have to remember dad went through some horrific times after that accident and he just wanted to build this family home for us. It was his dream and we don't want to give it all up but it's still a big undertaking for us.

“I would just love to see Christmas over as it won't be the same without dad. He was into it big time but I would be happier if it was just another day. Still we might want to keep up the tradition if only for his memory. I now understand what other families are going through at this time.

“As for me I had changed and probably a bit for the worse during that time. I was harder to get

on with by bottling things up and then flipping the lid. Mum would keep nagging me to do things and then I would end up shouting back at her. I was feeling sorry for myself as I hadn't dad to turn to.

“We have lost so much over that tragic incident that Thursday night at the North West 200. I will never be the same person but I have to get on with it. I now know I am not the only person suffering and must look ahead and forget about the flashbacks.

“Back to the racing and after Skerries, Adrian Fagan of Crossan Motorcycles offered me his Suzuki superbike. It was a standard road bike with an exhaust pipe, power commander and quick shifter just added on. I gladly accepted it as it gave me an opportunity to earn bigger prize money. I was soon finishing on the podium at places like Kells and Faugheen just behind Keith Amor and Ryan Farquhar in the Grand Final races.

“Then we went to Scarborough where I nearly missed my heat but you got me on the front row besides Guy Martin and Adrian Archibald. So I thought I better put a good show on here and did so by finishing second, lapping five seconds quicker than I had in practice.

“When it came to the Gold Cup race I was placed on the front row which did not please Ian Hutchinson who was told to go on row two. He refused but I am pleased that organiser Peter Hillaby stuck to his guns.

“Looking around me on the grid I thought I would be doing well to get into the top six. Going into the first hairpin we were all together and I went around the outside of Guy to lead with Ryan. Up the hill Ryan's bike just pulled away and I thought there was no point in holding Guy back. So I signalled with my leg for him to go on through but Ian Lougher came through as well which wasn't the plan. So when everyone had settled down I was lying fourth with William right behind me.

“Guy's mechanic John was giving me pit signals and encouraging me to catch Ian again, which I eventually did, and took great delight in repassing him.

“Starting the last lap I was bricking it as I waited for Ian to come through again. I was mad over the jumps but when I came out of Farm Bends I could see the crowd waving their programmes like mad. It made my day and when I was standing on the podium looking at Guy and Ryan and seeing Hutchinson pushing his bike back to the paddock I felt good. I was on top of the world in what was my last race of the season.

“Then nobody came up with anything positive for a few months. It was disappointing at the time that no one has called me, it was as if nobody wanted me. All the gossip didn't help but I am a straight talker. Some people like Norman Rank didn't listen to the old rumours and he took a chance on me back in May and we won the North West. I treat everyone's bike as if it was my own and hate crashing peoples’ bikes like Gary Ryan's Yamaha at Mondello.

“I know I have the ability, my style just likes the bike moving around when I am racing hard.

“2009 could be my year as a big break in my career. I need good bikes and support as I might only get one opportunity to show everyone I am a serious contender. I feel that I am capable of winning Supersport races at the North West, TT and Ulster soon.

“I have the best private backing in the Supersport class, they are the best lads in the business. Gary Ryan, Gerard Rice and Martin Marlow are some of the best lads in the world and they put me under no pressure for results and are always keen to help out.

“I am still in talks with Crossan's about a new superbike. They are good lads but they have their business interests to think off as well. It will hopefully work itself out.

“A deal has been arranged for me to ride the Norton at the TT which I tried out at Donington Park. It was certainly different with no engine braking and stuff like that but I have been chatting with Ron Haslam on how to get the best from it. There's also an offer from Honda to ride one of their Superstock Fireblades for the Free brothers, so things are starting to look more promising.

“As for myself I know I need to lose weight. I finished the season off at a ridiculous 14.5 stone. I have lost half-a-stone but realistically need to be down to 12 stone. I am up at 7am working with a local farmer fixing fencing and doing tractor work. It helps bring some money into the family pot as mortgage, rates, electric bills still have to be met.

“I haven't time to socialise or make new friends but again I am not looking sympathy. They say the first six months are the worst to get over so I hope they are right.

“Finally I would just like to thank all those true friends who have supported me and those who have tried to cheer me up. Hopefully 2009 will be a better year for everyone but in the meantime I wish everybody a Merry Christmas."

Reprinted by permission of Road Racing Ireland