13 Facts About Joey Dunlop

William Joseph Dunlop was a Northern Irish motorcyclist from Ballymoney, County Antrim, who was noted for his performances at the Isle of Man TT.

Joey Dunlop was awarded the MBE in 1986 for his contributions to the sport and the OBE in 1996 for his humanitarian work in Romanian orphanages.

Dunlop's legacy includes the "Joey Dunlop Cup," awarded to the most successful rider at the annual TT races, and several memorials and statues in his honour.

Joey Dunlop's achievements include three hat-tricks at the Isle of Man TT meeting, where he won a record 26 races in total.

Joey Dunlop was awarded the MBE in 1986 for his services to the sport, and in 1996 he was awarded the OBE for his humanitarian work for children in Romanian orphanages, to which he had delivered clothing and food.

Joey Dunlop helped orphans in the Balkans, driving a van loaded with supplies to orphanages in Romania, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina before the annual racing season began.

On 30 January 2015, Joey Dunlop was voted Northern Ireland's greatest sports star by readers of the Belfast Telegraph newspaper.

Joey Dunlop married on 22 September 1972 at Ballymoney register office.

Joey Dunlop was the proprietor of a pub in Ballymoney, and was highly superstitious, always wearing a red T-shirt and his yellow crash helmet when racing.

Joey Dunlop was presented with the Freedom of the Borough by Ballymoney Council in 1993.

Joey Dunlop died on 2 July 2000 in Tallinn, Estonia, while leading a 125cc race on Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa Circuit.

Joey Dunlop appeared to lose control of his bike in the wet conditions and died instantly on impact with trees.

Irish publishers The O'Brien Press produced a full-colour pictorial tribute to Joey Dunlop following his death.