JoeyDunlopTT92″ by Christof Berger – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JoeyDunlopTT92.jpg#mediaviewer/File:JoeyDunlopTT92.jpg
It certainly wouldn’t happen in the United States, where a football, basketball or baseball star would head the list, but in Northern Ireland motorcycle racers are revered, particularly the late Joey Dunlop. In a poll conducted by one of its largest newspapers, the Belfast Telegraph, Dunlop beat out other sports legends, including soccer star George Best, to be named Northern Ireland’s Greatest Sports Star.
The special poll and award mark the 20th anniversary of the annual Belfast Telegraph sports awards. As we reported, Dunlop was tragically killed just a week after taking his 26th victory at the Isle of Man while competing in a road race in Estonia. Follow this link to the Belfast Telegraph report with related videos.
Really? He is no Sean Kelly. Not even close.
Sean Kelly is no Joey, thats for sure. You ever ridden the TT course, or the NorthWest 200 course? I’ve done both, and for a man to win that many races there is just exceptional. Plus he did a hell of a lot to help those less fortunate than himself. Long before it was fashionable to do so.
Joey was so humble, check out an old film called V Four Victory where he talks you through a lap of the IOM aboard a VF1000R. He so naturally talented and seemed like the working mans racer who we all culd relate to. Probably because he wasnt afraid to have (share) a couple of pints.
Just because you drive a car doesn’t mean you have to be up on motorsports stars. Same goes with motorcyclists. I’d rather be out riding my motorcycle than watching racing on my couch. Americans do love 2-wheel racing and the 7 time winner of the Tour de France. Look where that got us.
Most sheep here have been manipulated into being football fanatics. With the exception of roundy round Nascar, motorsports are evil in the US.
A great motorcycle racer. Up in the same realm as Mike Hailwood in my opinion! I remember when I was in the Isle of Man and he was being interviewed by the local radio station. They asked him what was his build up just before a TT race? He said he took 3 Aspirin and that calmed his nerves and prepared him for the race! It must have worked that day as he blasted the track record! A Legend!!
Its a fitting award to man who was a peerless racer and a great supporter of charity. I saw him win his last couple of races at the TT and he was smooooooth alright and knew every bump on the track. He looked slow but he rode fast – thats a special gift. He was also a fine backyard engineer and bike fettler, and liked a pint or 5. 🙂
Actually that’s the only sport that isn’t under the “AMA Pro Racing”. It was sold to and is promoted by Feld Motor Sports. AMA (not AMA Pro Racing) is co-sanctioning body along with the FIM. Pro motocross is promoted by MX sports and sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. Confused? You should be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy0SPp6yy2c
You are right. Would never happen here in the states. Doubt 1 in 500 here could even name a motorcycle racer, much less an American motorcycle racer.
Yep, even most of the faithful sheeple can’t name a former member/current member of their flat track racers. Shops have become boutiques, images cookie cut and bad boy attitudes/persona purchased. I can’t wait to watch MotoAmerica, as I believe Wayne & Co. have secured televised feeds.
I believe we are much less involved as a nation in motorsports in general. Motorcycles are just a subset of that.
too many other distractions in the land o’ plenty. if the activity can’t be “consumed” via our smart phones…? we ain’t doin’ it.
You seriously think that Europe has less sporting events to follow or less smart phones? Also, smart phone is a great way to follow motorcycle racing, especially Dakar and TT.
re: “You seriously think”
I seriously KNOW.
Q: less smart phones?
A: no, just more smart people.
re: “smart phone is a great way to follow motorcycle racing”
correct, like the guy I saw a few years ago sitting next to me in the stands in Indianapolis on his smart phone running the live timing app. I’m like dude, are you friggin’ kiddin’ me…? YOU ARE AT MOTOGP…!!! the riders are on track (and on the jumbtron) in front of you…!?!?
Well, it would be interesting to know what these sporting events are that the US has Europe doesn’t. Sure, there’s much less football, but much more soccer and so on.
Q: Well, it would be interesting to know what these sporting events are that the US has Europe doesn’t.(?)
A: NCAA Basketball, UCLA V. Arizona.
College sports?
The world championships of cycling will happen in Richmond, Va. this September. Most Americans will be unaware but 3x more people will see it on TV than the Superbowl.
You mean like the time I’m in a pub watching Moto GP and 3 American Cruiser riders swaggered in and requested that the TV be changed to women’s soccer? Or sitting at Indy, while Moto GP is going on and the ‘Loud Pipes Saves Lives’ circle the facility rapping their pipes?
Uh, the NASCAR folks would disagree:
“NASCAR on FOX concluded its 2013 portion of the season as the highest-rated and most-watched sport in-season for the 13th straight season, according to figures released today by Nielsen Media Research.”
Yeah, I had thought of NASCAR and its popularity but I think its luster has faded some since it became more universally followed. In these here parts I hardly ever hear of it or hear fans speaking of it anymore. They used to at least seemed to be much more outspoken about NASCAR. I still think as a nation we are less involved in motorsports than some other areas of the world.
http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2013/07/the-most-watched-sporting-events-of-2013-so-far/
The problem here is lack of marketing, the AMA completely sucks at promoting the very sport they represent (as well as most other things they do). Look at Super Cross and how far it has come under the marketing of “Monster Energy” and we will see the growth of Arena Cross and Enduro Cross with Lucus and Amsiol promoting these events. This year every supercross event is being broadcast live the other two will also see growing television coverage and like GNCC Racing every event is live streamed via the internet. Will they ever equal much less overtake “team” stick and ball sports in the north american market? NO but can they become as big as nascar YES and with the right marketing and directors behind it American road racing can as well and not to overlook Eric Buell the only thing missing will be an American manufacturing presence. As far as dirt track racing it is still to regional and has not grown above club level in some areas of the country ie: the southeast. Dragracing has many of the same marketing issues as road racing with the sanctioning bodies offering up the bikes as after thought sideshow events I live fifteen minutes from Atlanta Dragstrip and won’t go there for a national event due to the way they treat the two wheeled competition. Right now north American and US motorcycle racing has a golden opportunity for growth all that needs to happen is for the AMA to get out of the way, thankfully DMG is gone, and let those that can and will market the sport using all the latest technology
The only pro racing series that the AMA promotes themselves is the Supercross series. All other pro series promoting rights were sold off.
http://www.cyclenews.com/649/26256/Racing-Article/AMA-Pro-Racing-Announces-Restructuring.aspx
Wow,a 46 rating for the superbowl,and a 9.9 for the Daytona 500,the highest ranked motorsport event.I remember seeing a 0.2 for AMA superbike during the Maladin era.
AMA Pro Racing is not the American Motorcyclist Association. The name and rights to promote the various series were sold to DMG. Notice the location stated on the press release? Daytona Beach , FL. not Ohio, home of the AMA. Once again, AMA Pro Racing is a division of DMG.
re: “Doubt 1 in 500 here could even name a motorcycle racer, much less an American motorcycle racer.”
in contrast, joe average can tell you what 2 teams are playing in this Sunday’s SuperBowl.
I ride motorcycles and couldn’t care less who’s in the “Superbowel”. Also, it’s nice that Dunlop has received national recognition, just like Earnhardt did.