Bike Racing: Will’s eager to get the job Dun
WILLIAM DUNLOP will be out to keep one of the most famous names in TT racing to the fore when he makes his debut on the Mountain Course in Wednesday’s Junior Supersport race.
The 20-year-old rider from Ballymoney is the nephew of the late William Joseph Joey’ Dunlop, the winner of a record 26 races in the Isle of Man, who was killed while racing in Estonia six years ago.
And he is the son of Robert Dunlop, a TT winner himself who retired in 2004.
It was only three years ago that young William showed any interest at all in racing. “I just got on a bike one day to see what it was like and it went from there,” he said. “Before then I didn’t have any interest in bikes at all.”
William’s experience to date has come in the main from racing on the road circuits in Ireland - although he has already attracted the attention of the Rizla Suzuki team, who could give him a superbike outing later this month.
His main concern as he lines up on the Glencrutchery Road start line will be the ability of his 600cc Yamaha to complete the 150- mile distance.
“It’s the same engine Jason Griffiths used here two years ago and I have been told there is a possibility it may not last motor the full four laps,” he said. “So it’s a case of fingers firmly crossed.”