Andy J
Hero member
- Location
- Isle of Man
Scores of bikers took to the TT Mountain Course this evening to remember the passing of Joey 25 years ago at a rain sodden race circuit in Estonia. Many hundreds of spectators also lined the course to watch and wave as the well over mile long cavalcade made its way, under police escort, around the course. Unlike the conditions faced by Joey all those years ago, the lap was blessed with dry and sunny weather, and not the damp and mist of recent days on the island.
I had been contemplating which bike to ride, and having spent a couple of hours this morning adjusting the forks on the 750 Formula, that was initially the front runner. However, having thought a bit more deeply about the matter, it occurred to me that in his early days at the TT, Joey had raced a couple of Benellis; a 750 Sei and 500 Quattro. Therefore, it seemed a bit more fitting to ride the ‘Shoulda-been-a-Jota’.
Laverda was represented though on the lap by Wilfried on his 3C, which he rode from Germany so he can attend the Tynwald Day ceremony on Monday and also watch some of next week’s Southern 100 races. I was also wearing my old Dainese ‘Laverda’ race leathers, which I wore in the TT back in 1985. I will always remember Joey passing me on the NS400R between Kirk Michael and Ballaugh and the ease with which he disappeared off into the distance no matter how hard I tried to stick with him.
A great rider and character as well as a renowned humanitarian, he continues to be missed by thousands, but his legacy carries on through the work of the Joey Dunlop Foundation who organizes the lap.
I had been contemplating which bike to ride, and having spent a couple of hours this morning adjusting the forks on the 750 Formula, that was initially the front runner. However, having thought a bit more deeply about the matter, it occurred to me that in his early days at the TT, Joey had raced a couple of Benellis; a 750 Sei and 500 Quattro. Therefore, it seemed a bit more fitting to ride the ‘Shoulda-been-a-Jota’.
Laverda was represented though on the lap by Wilfried on his 3C, which he rode from Germany so he can attend the Tynwald Day ceremony on Monday and also watch some of next week’s Southern 100 races. I was also wearing my old Dainese ‘Laverda’ race leathers, which I wore in the TT back in 1985. I will always remember Joey passing me on the NS400R between Kirk Michael and Ballaugh and the ease with which he disappeared off into the distance no matter how hard I tried to stick with him.
A great rider and character as well as a renowned humanitarian, he continues to be missed by thousands, but his legacy carries on through the work of the Joey Dunlop Foundation who organizes the lap.
