News Joey Dunlop & Jonathan Rea: A legendary connection through the generations

As Yamaha Motor celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2025, its racing heritage is defined not only by the machines it has built, but also by the people and stories that have shaped its history. Here's one of those stories: that of a racing motorcycle that links a family over three generations and unites two of Northern Ireland's greatest sporting legends.

The beginnings of an unforgettable friendship and partnership

The connection began in the 1970s. Joey Dunlop, a fiercely determined young Northern Irish rider, was at the start of a career that would make him one of the greatest road racers of all time. He had caught the eye of John Rea, a motorcycle enthusiast who had built up a successful haulage business. John saw something special in his compatriot and, keen to support young riders, decided to set up a team and sponsor him. In 1975, Dunlop joined Rea Racing, and an iconic partnership was born.

This trust was quickly rewarded. In 1977, Dunlop took his first Isle of Man victory, the Jubilee TT, riding a TZ750, the production bike that dominated the era and allowed privateer riders to compete with factory machines. Three years later, he rode a TZ750 to a memorable victory at the 1980 Classic TT, beating the leading factory bikes of the day.

"My grandfather was a big motorcycle fan, and he helped him kick-start his career," recalls Jonathan Rea.

From that moment on, Dunlop's legend continued to grow. He went on to win 26 TTs, five Formula TT World Championships, 13 North West 200s and 24 Ulster Grand Prix races, establishing himself as one of the biggest names in road racing.

The legacy of a hero: more than just a driver

But Dunlop's influence extended far beyond the racetrack. His humanitarian work, personally delivering aid to hospitals and orphanages in Eastern Europe, revealed a humble man who left a lasting impression on everyone he met, including John's grandson, Jonathan Rea, future six-time FIM Superbike World Champion.

The connection between the two families was even deeper: Jonathan's father, Johnny, also raced against Dunlop, and although they were rivals on the track, the two families were close and spent a lot of time together. Jonathan remembers his childhood fondly and will never forget the impact Dunlop had on him and motorsport in general:

"Joey was one of the greatest road racers of all time. I grew up in the motorcycle paddocks when Joey was still racing alongside my dad... and thousands and thousands of people adored him, not just here in Northern Ireland, but all over the world."

When Dunlop died tragically in a racing accident in Estonia on July 2, 2000, the news shook the sporting world and beyond, a poignant reminder that he was much more than just a driver. He was a national hero and an icon.

A Family's Inspiration: Jonathan's Path to Glory

Inspired by his family and drivers like Dunlop, Jonathan always knew he wanted to race, an ambition nurtured and encouraged by his beloved grandfather. He was just a child when John passed away, and although his memories of his grandfather are hazy, what he remembers has stayed with him.

"I think I was six... maybe seven, when my grandfather passed away, so my memories of him are very vague," he explains. "Talking to people in motorsport who knew my grandfather, they speak fondly of what an extraordinary man he was. But I remember him telling me, and this is something I've held onto throughout my career, that I would one day be world champion."

His grandfather's unshakeable faith, combined with his father's support, set him on the path to becoming the most successful WorldSBK rider of all time, winning six consecutive titles from 2015 to 2020. Now 38, Jonathan rides for the Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team and is still driven by the same hunger and ambition, looking to add to his record of 119 race wins and 263 podium finishes.

The tragedy is that John passed away before seeing his grandson realize his dreams.

"My dad didn't get to see Jonathan win any of his championships," Johnny reflects, "thinking about what my dad said at the very beginning, that he would make him a world champion. It's hard to believe now that he's a six-time world champion."

The Motorcycle That Links Generations

Although John never got to see his grandson's success, the bond they shared all those years ago, during Jonathan's formative years, lives on through the bike he bought, made famous by Dunlop: the 1979 Rea Racing Yamaha TZ750.

The very machine that propelled Dunlop to a landmark victory at the 1980 Classic TT still belongs to the Rea family. Its history is deeply linked to the family. More than just a machine, it's a link between generations, and the next connection would be through Johnny himself, an accomplished racer who rode it during the 1985 season.

"It was my dad who bought the bike for Joey, and the history of that bike is incredible," Johnny says. "I rode it for a year, and won a lot of short-course races on it. I'd say it probably has more wins than any other bike in the world."

Yet its importance to Rea goes far beyond racing. Lovingly cared for, it embodies cherished memories as well as its historical significance. As Jonathan puts it:

"I'm incredibly proud that this bike remains within the family. It's part of our family heritage."

In 2025, history came full circle when Jonathan was invited to ride the TZ750 his grandfather had purchased almost five decades earlier, at "Joey 25", a commemorative event in Ballymoney marking 25 years since Dunlop's death. The occasion marked the completion of a remarkable journey, a link through three generations of the Rea family, all connected by one extraordinary machine. Riding his grandfather's bike, Jonathan took part in a special parade through Dunlop's hometown, alongside other bikes from Dunlop's career, in front of fans, family and fellow riders.

It was a fitting tribute to a true legend of the sport, and a deeply moving experience for Jonathan:

"It was really, really nice. Not just for me as a driver to be involved in the event, but also for Joey's family. I'm sure it was also for the fans and for the town of Ballymoney."

But this wasn't just one world champion paying tribute to another; it was deeply personal. As the smell of two-stroke oil filled the air, Jonathan was taken back to his youth. To the days spent growing up around racing, among drivers like Dunlop and his father, and to the enduring influence of his grandfather, whose unshakeable faith all those years ago set him on the path to success.

Moments like these are rare, but when they do occur, they embody the heart of motorsport and serve as a powerful reminder that the true spirit of racing lies not just in results, but in people, relationships and passion passed down from generation to generation.

Nowhere was this more evident than at Ballymoney. As Johnny watched his son ride down the streets on the same machine he had once ridden, the one his father had bought and Dunlop had made famous, emotions overwhelmed him.

"Seeing him ride that bike was incredible," he declared.

Holding back tears after the parade, Johnny reflected on what it would have meant to John:

"If my dad looked down from above, he'd be a proud, proud man."

Credit : Yamaha Racing