28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Joey Dunlop: Event programme announced for special celebration to honour Ulster road racing legend
The 26-time Isle of Man TT winner and five-time Formula One motorcycling world champion died in a racing crash in Estonia on July 2, 2000.
Multiple World Superbike champions Carl Fogarty and Jonathan Rea will headline a star-studded line-up of 25 riders who will be in attendance to celebrate the life of one of Ulster's greatest ever sporting ambassadors.
Held in conjunction with Joey's family, a host of British Superbike riders, former teammates, rivals and friends will take part in the Joey 25 parade through the town centre in a closed road event, riding 25 of his original racing bikes on Saturday, May 24.
Phillip McCallen, formerly a fierce rival of Joey's, said the chance to participate in the parade on one of his famous machines was 'an honour'.
'Obviously he was my team-mate and he was my rival at times, but he was never my enemy – it's just there was very stiff opposition because Joey was the benchmark for road racing and the benchmark around the world,' said Portadown man McCallen, speaking at the recent Joey 25 launch at Ballymoney Museum.
'If you beat Joey Dunlop or raced against Joey Dunlop you were some boy, and I was very lucky to become a friend of Joey's.
'I did beat him a few times but one thing you could say about Joey was that if there was five races in a day at the North West, 'Ulster', TT or wherever, Joey picked his race and he won it and you weren't going to be him in that race.
'He was just remarkable and for us to get the honour of riding one of his ex-racing machines – that just wouldn't happen normally because the people who own those machines are so proud of them and look after them so much.
'To represent the riders and the community for Joey Dunlop is an honour.'
Six-time World Superbike champion Rea echoed McCallen's sentiments, describing Joey as one of his 'heroes' when he was a young boy.
The factory Yamaha WSBK rider said: 'I am honoured to be on board one of Joey Dunlop's machines at this celebration event in his home town.
'Joey was a hero of mine growing up and he inspired so many riders from this country, including me, to achieve our dreams.'
Event Programme
Joey Dunlop Original Bike Exhibition: 1pm-10pm at Joey's Bar (Fan Zone 3)
Meet The Riders and Entertainment: 2pm-6pm at Dalriada School (Fan Zone 2)
Food Village with Joey Display: 1pm-10pm at Townhead Street Car Park (Fan Zone 1)
Joey Dunlop 25 Exhibition: Open daily from May 1 (9am-5pm) at Ballymoney Museum
