Some of the greatest names in road racing, past and present, appeared in the Joey Dunlop Road Racing Legend the Rivals Parade Lap sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company at today's Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts.

With Joey having won a record-breaking 26 races at the Isle of Man TT, 26 of his major rivals, or representatives, appeared on the start line at Glencrutchery Road earlier today riding machinery from their era of racing. Jim Dunlop, Joey's brother, represented his brother and went off the line first.

The riders were selected by event promoters the Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development and were riders who were involved in what were felt to have been Joey’s most memorable races or riders who were his main rivals for a sustained period during his career.

The riders, appearing on iconic machinery associated with their career or the rider they represented, left the line in single file and in chronological order to a narration read by Manx Radio TT Anchorman Tim Glover, who told the story of Joey Dunlop’s remarkable career through the rivalries that defined it.

Rivals appearing or represented in the parade lap included Ray McCullough, Trevor Steele, Mervyn Robinson, Brian Reid and Frank Kennedy highlighting the days of Dromora Destroyers and Armoy Armada. Joey's International race battles were acknowledged by Steve Parrish's representation of Tom Herron, Steve Cull and Charlie Williams,

Joey's years competing at the TT and F1 World Championship were marked by appearances by the likes of Rob McElnea, Greame Crosby, Philip McCallen, Carl Fogarty, Mick Grant, Paul Iddon, Andy McGladdery's brother Geoff, while Neil Hodgson represented Virginio Ferrari, Steve Plater lined up as Steve Hislop, James Whitham appeared as Phil Mellor and Nick Jefferies represented nephew David.

Modern TT riders who appeared included Ryan Farquhar, who appeared as Sam McClements, Jamie Hamilton, who represented Neil Robinson, Michael Dunlop as father Robert and Gary Johnson as Roger Marshall. John McGuinness, who was both Joey's teammate and rival from his 1996 TT debut, which included standing on the TT podium with Joey for the first time in 1997, and Ian Lougher, fresh from his victory in the Bennetts 500cc race earlier in the day, also lined up on the grid.


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