The beginnings: A partnership with vision
In the 1970s, Joey Dunlop was at the beginning of his legendary career. As a young, determined rider, he caught the attention of John Rea, who came from a modest background and had found success with his own transport company. Rea, himself an avid motorcycle fan, decided to support promising talent and founded his own team for this purpose. In 1975, Dunlop joined the Rea Racing Team – the beginning of a groundbreaking partnership.
Rise to global stardom: successes and legacy
In 1977, Joey Dunlop celebrated his first victory at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, known as the “Jubilee TT.” His motorcycle: a Yamaha TZ750, a production racing model that allowed private riders to compete with the factory teams. Three years later, Dunlop triumphed again – this time at the 1980 Classic TT, when he defeated the leading factory teams of the time with the TZ750. This laid the foundation for one of the greatest careers in road racing: Dunlop won a total of 26 Tourist Trophies, was Formula TT World Champion five times, won the North West 200 13 times, and claimed 24 victories at the Ulster Grand Prix. His successes had a lasting impact on the sport.
However, Joey Dunlop’s influence extended far beyond the racetrack. He was respected and admired for his humanitarian work, which included numerous aid deliveries to hospitals and orphanages in Eastern Europe. His modest character also left a lasting impression on the Rea family.
The connection between the families: three generations of motorsport
The relationship between the Dunlop and Rea families is deeply rooted. Jonathan Rea, John’s grandson and later six-time Superbike World Champion, recalls: “My grandfather was a huge motorcycle fan and helped launch Joey’s career.” Jonathan’s father Johnny also competed against Dunlop on the racetrack – but away from it, the two families were close friends.
For Jonathan, Dunlop was a formative figure in his childhood: “Joey was one of the greatest road racers of all time. I grew up in the paddock when Joey was still racing with my father … and thousands adored him, not only in Northern Ireland, but worldwide.” Dunlop’s tragic death on July 2, 2000, during a race in Estonia caused consternation far beyond the world of motorsport. However, his memory lives on.
From childhood to world champion: the influence of family
Jonathan’s passion for racing was instilled in him by his grandfather and father. Although Jonathan was only six or seven years old when his grandfather died, his belief in him had a profound effect on him: “I can only vaguely remember him, but he told me that I would one day be world champion – that never left me.” This conviction, combined with his father’s support, led Jonathan Rea to a record-breaking career: six consecutive WorldSBK titles between 2015 and 2020, currently (2025) 119 wins and 263 podium finishes, and a move to the Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team.
Johnny Rea looks back with mixed feelings: “My father never saw Jonathan win his titles. At the beginning, he said that Jonathan would one day become world champion. Now he is a six-time champion – it’s hard to believe.”
The Yamaha TZ750: A motorcycle as a symbol of connection
At the heart of this intergenerational story is a very special motorcycle: the 1979 Yamaha TZ750 that John Rea bought for Joey Dunlop back then. Dunlop won the Classic TT in 1980 with this motorcycle, a milestone in his career. Later, Johnny Rea also rode the TZ750 and won numerous races with it, especially in short-distance events.
Johnny describes the significance of the machine: “My father bought the motorcycle for Joey, and the history of this bike is incredible. I rode it for a year and won many races with it. It has probably won more races than any other motorcycle in the world.” Today, the TZ750 is still owned by the Rea family and is lovingly maintained – it stands as a symbol of the family’s legacy and bond.
Jonathan emphasizes: “I am incredibly proud that this motorcycle is still in the family. It is part of our heritage.”
2025: An emotional return at “Joey 25”
In 2025, 25 years after Dunlop’s death, the circle closes: Jonathan Rea was invited to ride the legendary TZ750 at “Joey 25,” a memorial event in Ballymoney. Together with other motorcycles from Dunlop’s career, Jonathan took part in a parade through Dunlop’s hometown – an emotional moment in front of fans, family, and companions.
It was a moving experience for Jonathan: “It was really nice. Not just for me as a rider, but also for Joey’s family, for the fans, and for Ballymoney.” But the moment was much more than just a gesture between two champions – it was a very personal journey into the past, to the origins of his passion and the roots of family cohesion.
Conclusion: The true soul of motorsport
Moments like these are rare. But they show what motorsport is all about: not just results and trophies, but also people, relationships, and shared passion across generations. This was particularly evident in Ballymoney when Johnny Rea saw his son riding the same motorcycle that his father had once bought for Dunlop: “Seeing him ride this motorcycle was incredible. My father would certainly be very proud today.”
