It was 1980. Joey had a TZ750 with an oversize tank and it came loose going down Bray on the first lap. He spent the rest of the race holding it on with his knees. Despite this he blew Grantie on the factory Honda away and took the lap record on the last lap. I can still hear an incredulous Peter Kneale saying: "Just what kind of a lap is this going to be for Joey Dunlop?" as his light came on at Signpost.

The answer was 115.22mph

I'm sure it was this display that made Honda sign him up although not before he'd been out on the Heron Suzuki a couple of times. I bet they wish they'd held onto him.