William Dunlop dead: Northern Irish motorcyclist killed aged 32 after crash at Skerries 100
Dunlop was taking part in an open race practice session on his Temple Golf Club-backed R1 Yamaha when he crashed at around 5pm
TOP motorcyclist William Dunlop was killed in a tragic crash during a ‘practice run’ for a competition due to take place tomorrow.
The 32-year-old died from injuries following a collision at the Skerries 100 races in north Dublin.
It is understood that William was taking part in an open race practice session on his Temple Golf Club-backed R1 Yamaha when he crashed at the Sam’s Tunnel section of the circuit on the third lap at around 5pm.
Red flags were immediately displayed to halt the session and medics and police attended the scene.
But he was pronounced dead some time later.
A statement on behalf of the Skerries 100 organisers said: “The Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club, organisers of the Skerries 100, deeply regrets to announce that competitor William Dunlop of Ballymoney, Co Antrim, has passed away following injuries received in a tragic accident that occurred during practice which took place today July 7, 2018.
“The Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club extends their heartfelt sympathy to William Dunlop’s family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very sad time.”
The father-of-one was a member of the renowned Dunlop family and was a winner at the North West 200 and Ulster GP.
William’s father Robert died as a result of an accident at the North West 200 in 2008, while his uncle Joey was killed in a crash in Estonia in 2000.
Joey holds the record for the most Isle of Man TT wins with 26, while William’s brother Michael has registered 18 wins at the event over the Mountain Course.
William has also competed regularly on the Isle of Man but sat out this year’s races after coming home during practice week to be with his pregnant partner Janine.
Dunlop indicated after the event that there had been concerns about a 20-week scan but that the situation had improved and the couple were looking forward to the arrival of their second child.
He began racing in 2000 and accumulated 108 Irish National Road Race wins during a distinguished career, including 15 at the Skerries circuit which ultimately claimed his life.
The elder of Robert Dunlop’s sons rode for many of the leading road racing teams, including Hector and Philip Neill’s Tyco-backed TAS Racing team, Shaun Muir’s Milwaukee Yamaha outfit, Wilson Craig Racing and most recently Tim Martin’s Temple Golf Club Yamaha team.
He achieved four wins at the North West 200, including successes in the 125cc and 250cc races in 2009, a Supersport triumph in 2012 and a Superbike victory in 2014.
William won seven races at the Ulster Grand Prix in Dundrod, three in the Supersport class, two on 125cc machines and two in the 250cc class.
His best result at the TT was a second place in TT Zero in 2016, while he also finished third on four separate occasions.