McGuinness on Dunlop
John McGuinness was in awe of Joey Dunlop as a kid – and when he ended up as a rival (as he told Joey he would) the Dunlop legend was cemented for him. Here’s a brief, but altogether revealing sketch of their relationship, in John’s words
Seeing Joey for the first time (aged 10)
“My dad was racing at the time and we were on the Isle of Man for Jurby road races. It was during TT practice week and I had my head stuck through the ropes at the bottom of Bray Hill. I got my first real sight of the yellow helmet and Joey’s number 3. I became a fan.”
An affinity with the Ulsterman
“I always thought he had a really cool name, a proper road racer’s name. I’ve a bit of an Irish background with a grandad from Belfast. Joey fascinated me.”
Chance sighting of Joey at the 1986 TT
“I was out on my BMX when I saw Joey on his Rothmans Honda RVF riding down to a shop to get a packet of fags. He was wearing a paddock jacket and trainers, his long hair hanging out the back of his helmet. He just left the bike leaning against the wall outside the shop. It would be like seeing Marc Marquez going to buy the paper on his RCV today but it isn’t going to happen. Those days are gone.”
John buys a photo of his hero and finds Joey to autograph it. As the Ballymoney man scribbles his moniker, the 14-year-old tells him he’ll stand beside him on a TT podium one day
“Joey wasn’t impressed. He just muttered a few words in reply.”
Fulfilling a prophecy, John finishes third as Joey wins the 1997 Lightweight TT
“I was so excited, and it was really nice that Joey was still racing. I reminded him about what I’d told him all those years ago but I don’t think he understood what I was on about.”
Sharing a room with his hero at the Ally Pally show in 1998
“I got lathered and woke him when I came in late. He was growling at me. At the show in the morning he went to buy a ticket to get in, queued up with all the punters. I asked him what he was doing, they are all here to see you.”
In 1999, John is still learning his craft at the 1999 TT when he follows the master in the Senior race
“The Senior start order went on fastest lap times then and I was fifth quickest, Joey sixth. I was on the 500cc twin and held him off for a lap before he passed me at Glen Vine and dragged me from about fifth or sixth place up into third. I learned so much on that lap. I’d never been that fast before and now I was behind the most iconic rider in the world. I took my chance with both hands but I had a d
