John McGuinness at 2013 Dainese Superbike TTMcGuinness’ Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR Tribute to Joey Dunlop VideoThere are two significant reasons why Joey Dunlop matters to the guys at Honda.
First, he was the longest factory Honda rider among any motorcycle series, including MotoGP. And second, he has the most Isle of Man TT victories of anyone – 26.The only rider to come close to this record is the current Honda TT Legends rider, John McGuinness. The Brit has 19 TT wins, though none yet in the 2013 Isle of Man TT.And during this year’s TT, McGuinness and the Honda TT Legends team helped celebrate the 30th anniversary of Joey Dunlop’s first Isle of Man TT win. McGuinness and his bike both donned Dunlop livery for the Dainese Superbike TT.Honda says “The iconic red and black Joey Dunlop/Honda Britain design adorning the Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR Fireblade and McGuinness’s leathers was based on that worn by Dunlop in his final Isle of Man TT in 2000.”The video features footage of Honda TT Legends Team Manager Neil Tuxworth explaining the project, and also McGuinness himself, who was once teammates with the legendary Dunlop.Dunlop passed in 2000 while in the lead of the 125cc race on Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa Circuit.This year’s Dainese Superbike TT was won by Dunlop’s nephew, Michael Dunlop, who also won both he Supersport race 1 and the Royal London 360 Superstock TT. As for McGuinness, he finished third in the Dainese Superbike TT.
