[Ducati] Dunlop killed in road race crash

[Ronald Betts]

God Bless em . That is one hard core family.....
 
Peace...Ron"Desmohead"Betts 95 900 SP I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it!> Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 10:40:12 +0200> From: st2_ at ticino.com> To: ducati at ducati.net> Subject: [Ducati] Dunlop killed in road race crash> > *One of Northern Ireland's best known motorcyclists has been killed in a > high speed crash at the North West 200.*> > Robert Dunlop, 47, suffered severe chest injuries at a practice session > near Portrush in County Antrim on Thursday. He died later in hospital.> > Dunlop had been riding a specially adapted bike after he returned to > racing following an horrific crash at the Isle of Man TT in 1994.> > His brother, Joey, was killed in a racing accident in Estonia in 2000.> > Thursday's accident happened in the 250cc qualifying session. The riders > had been travelling at speeds of about 160mph as they approached the > Mathers Cross section of the course.> > Dunlop's bike appeared to seize and he went over the handlebars.> > The Ballymoney man was rushed to the Causeway Hospital in nearby > Coleraine, where he died from his injuries shortly after 2200 BST.> > His sons, Michael and William, had been taking part in the North West 200.> > > > > Another Northern Ireland rider, Darren Burns, suffered a suspected > broken leg and concussion in the same accident.> > Burns was following behind and was unable to avoid hitting the > Ballymoney rider. He is said to be stable in hospital.> > A colleague, Denver Robb, was behind both motorcyclists when the > accident happened.> > "Coming up to Mathers (Cross), Burns was leading and I was second, just > sitting in his slipstream," he said.> > "Then Robert - it was one of the Dunlops - came past me and as soon as > he did he just shot off into Mathers and the bike seized.> > "There was a puff of smoke and the bike locked up, she went sideways, > and I think Robert must have grabbed the front brake.> > > > "He went out over the top of the bike and landed on the road. Then > Burnsy had nowhere to go and he clipped him and he went straight on."> > Dunlop made his debut on the Northern Ireland roads as a teenager in > 1979 and went on to claim his first major win in the Isle of Man in 1983 > when he won the Newcomers 350cc race at the Manx Grand Prix.> > The remainder of the 1980s saw him becoming a regular winner on the > Northern Ireland road racing scene.> > 1989 proved a hugely successful year, which included his first Isle of > Man TT win.> > His last major international road race win came when he won the 125cc > event at the North West 200 in 2006.> > Tributes to the motorcycling ace have been pouring in from all sections > of the community in Northern Ireland.> > Liam Beckett, Dunlop's long-time mechanic and a close friend, said: "I > don't know of a more caring and devoted father - he just lived for his > family.> > "They are a unique and resilient family, and to be honest they were in > pieces last night."> > Mervyn White, Clerk of the Course at the North West 200, said: "This was > an accident which appears at the present time to be machine failure.> > "It could have happened anywhere at all, it could have happened on the > open road."> > First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness > said they were deeply saddened by the death.> > Northern Ireland Sports Minister Edwin Poots said: "Robert was a much > loved respected and talented member of the motorsport community and will > be missed by all."> > The Motor Cycling Union of Ireland and PSNI are investigating the incident.> > Dunlop is also survived by his wife Louise and other son Daniel.> > > *****> > Ducati.net is sponsored by Oncycles.com, who has the largest selection and> lowest prices, on the finest motorcycle products anywhere, all served with> world-class customer service. Check them out!> _______________________________________________> Ducati mailing list> Ducati at ducati.net> http://list.ducati.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ducati> Mailto: ronaldebettsasalc0015 at hotmail.com
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