Joey Dunlop won his 23rd TT trophy at a rain-soaked Isle of Main circuit yesterday. His victory in the Lightweight race, despite painful and disfiguring injury, proved that the 46-yearold Ballymoney man is still as competitive as ever on the famous circuit.
Isle of Man TT Dunlop, who first started racing on the island in 1976, turned the bad weather to his advantage to win by almost 42 seconds. Bob Jackson, from England, came second, with John McGuinness and James Courtney finishing third and fourth.
The race initially started out as a three-lap event after officials decided the weather conditions were unsuitable for the standard four laps. Dunlop made the correct tyre choice by opting for wet weather rubber. Sacrificing speed for traction was a major factor in his victory. Several racers had to make pit stops after the first lap to change their tyres, and lost valuable time doing so. Many riders retired as the weather deteriorated further. Ian Lougher, who had been running on slicks, pulled in at Union Mills. Jim Moodie from Scotland retired at the end of the first lap.
The rain continued to fall, and before long there were pools of water on the 37.75 mile road circuit. It was decided to shorten the race to two laps. As Dunlop hadn't made a pit stop after the first lap, he gained a massive time advantage. All he had to do to win was guide his 250 cc Honda carefully around the treacherous track, and hope he could stay on until the end.
There is always rumour every year around the Isle of Man that Dunlop will retire, but the Antrim racer uses his vast experience and talent to ensure victory after victory. He has won the Lightweight class for four years in succession, this year with injuries that would scare even the most determined racer. At the Tandragee races in Northern Ireland last month, he crashed heavily and broke his collar bone and bones in his hip and right hand. He injured his left hand to such a degree that his wedding ring finger had to be amputated.
Dunlop is looking for tactical wins this year due to a lack of strength as a result of these injuries. The weather conditions yesterday provided him with his best chance. He continued to be the most successful rider in the history of the famous TT races.
1, J Dunlop (Honda 250) 46.51.8 secs, 96.61 m.p.h.; 2, B Jackson, (Yamaha) 47.34.7 secs, 95.16; 3, J McGuinness (Honda 250) 47.48.6 secs 94.69 m.p.h.; 4, J Courtney, (Honda 250) 48.08.0 secs, 94.06 m.p.h.
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