Model bike paying tribute to TT legend 'humbling'

The bike has been painted in the colours of the Joey Dunlop Foundation

The creation of a model bike paying tribute to TT legend Joey Dunlop is "very humbling", his son has said.

The Mannin Cancers Support Group has created 15 full size model bikes to celebrate some of the TT's greatest names and their machinery, including one inspired by Northern Irish racer.

Many of the bikes are due to be be auctioned but one specially made to honour the late racer was this week presented it as a gift to the Joey Dunlop Foundation.

Gary Dunlop said it was "very humbling" that his father was "still thought of and kept in such a high regard" 25 years after the final of his 26 TT wins and untimely death racing in Estonia a month later.

The family of Joey Dunlop attended the ceremony on Friday

The ceremony was held at the Mercury Club at the Grandstand on Friday, marking the last day of a Classic TT pop-up exhibition celebrating the legacy of the Northern Irish rider and his final hattrick of wins at the Isle of Man TT.

Gary Dunlop said it was "great" for the family to be able to come and see the tributes.

"The Isle of Man is a special place for us, we have been coming here since we were born," he said.

Founded in 2001, the Joey Dunlop Foundation at Braddan Bridge House was created to honour the TT rider, and works to provide specialist short-term and holiday accommodation for those with disabilities on the island.

Joey Dunlop is widely regarded as one of the greatest riders in motorcycle racing history

"My father was a charity man, so if he knew his name was going to be aiding any sort of charity, he would be thrilled about it", he continued.

Bruce Baker, Trustee for the Joey Dunlop Foundation said it was "one charity supporting another charity" and the bike was "very special and will proudly be put on display at Braddan Bridge House".

The remaining 14 bikes in the Mannin Cancer TT Legends series, which features motorbike-shaped sculptures, is set be auctioned during TT 2026.

The official charity partner for TT this year, the organisation was formed in 2019 to raise money for diagnostic and staging equipment for prostate cancer.

Derek Peters from Mannin Cancers said the Dunlop family and the Dunlop name was "synonymous with giving back to the Isle of Man" and the charity was "eternally grateful" that the family had come to the island for the presentation.

He said it was a "bonding of Isle of Man charities supporting each other", and "showed good synergy."

Chairman of Mannin Cancers Julie Stokes said the model bike was "gorgeous" and it was "nice that this one will have a presence and will stay here for people to see".