What a day!

I brought my girlfriend to the NW200 this year as I wanted to show her this huge festival of speed we have here in wee Norn iron, the excitment flowing like electricity in the paddock, the air display etc... However due to the Roberts tragic death I was able to show her another fantastic side of roadracing; the respect, love and honour we have for the men and women who put their leg over a bike to race each other for our entertainment.

I took her to cookstown at the begining of this year and she was amazed ( as many of us hardened road fans were) by this wee 47 yr old who beat everyone even from the 2nd group.

We were stood at mathers on Thursday for the entire qualifing until the final session when we decided to move closer to portrush. Thank God we moved, I have witnessed fatal accidents before and it is a horrifc experience no matter who it is.

Being in the paddcok last night and this morning was an incredibly emoitional experience. I cannot imagine the courage it took for William and Michael to race, but the respect given their father this morning, would have brought tears from a stone. Long before the tannoy asked for a round of applause for Robert the fans at Juniper where already clapping and that clapping carried on after the first race, the cheer when Michael appeared over the hill and into juniper for the last lap was reminiscent of watching his dad or his uncle at their peaks.

The Dunlops are an incredible breed and William and Michael showed that again today. Whatever else happens in the future of the Northwest, this week will never be forgotten. I would like to thank all my fellows fans of real road racing for the dignity you showed today. The paddock will never be the same again.

I just hope that Robert and Joey were smiling up there as we remembered them.

Rest in Peace Rob and dont worry the Dunlop name is in very safe hands with your brave boys.