Former World Superbike star Pierfrancesco Chili made his debut triparound the island’s TT course and pronounced himself horrified.

Making a flying visit to be special guest at the Joey Dunlop Foundation dinner, Chili entertained guests and made the annual prize draw.

Chairman Kevin Quirk said the top prize, a Honda CBR600 in traditional RC30 colours, went to a winner from Lincolnshire.

"I think he was amazed to receive an 11pm phone call from Frankie (who called immediately after making the draw) telling him he had won a bike," Mr Quirk said.

Sidecar racer Klaus Klaffenbock and sponsor Andy Faragher enticed the racer over and took him on his first ever lap of the course.

"He was both impressed and horrified," Mr Faragher said.

"When we got to the bottom of Barregarrow and then to Ballaugh Bridge he couldn’t believe it.

"We stopped at Guthrie's and looked back over Ramsey. He definitely wants to come back again so it's possible we could see him visiting next year’s TT."

After the meal Chili was on the Sunday morning boat back to the UK in time for a return flight home to Italy from Gatwick.


This year’s JDF prize draw winners were all from the UK with cash prizes for second and third going to entrants in Scarborough and Staffordshire.

Next year the charity, set up in memory of TT legend Joey Dunlop, is planning an even bigger star prize for its annual draw – a John McGuinness-themed Honda Fireblade with white upper and dark lower bodywork to emulate a pint of Guinness. The fairing will carry an upturned map of the TT course which also resembles the Guinness harp trademark.

As an added attraction, the bike is to be registered in 17-times winner John McGuinness's name so he appears on the registration document as the first owner.

The charity's disabled holiday accommodation at Braddan Bridge is open year round to all disabled visitors.

An urgent appeal is currently being made for helpers at the charity's fund-raising bag pack scheduled for November 26 at Marks and Spencer.

Because the date clashes with the annual Motorcyce show at the NEC in Birmingham many of the charity's regular supporters are not available to help out.

Anyone able to offer even an hour or two should contact Mr Quirk on 429286 or 677606.

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