Road racing motorcyclist Joey Dunlop died competing in the sport in which he excelled when he was only 48, hitting a tree in a rally in Estonia on 2 July, 2000.

He had spent a lifetime cheating death on some of the most dangerous circuits in the world – choosing to race his motorcycles away from the relative safety of laid-out commercial citcuits, preferring the sterner test of real roads, closed for specialist competition.

His record of success was second to none, and he died only weeks after winning what was to be his final Isle of Man TT race, one of a record 26 in which he was victorious. He also won five world championships and his work bridged the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland .

Such was his respect on the Isle of Man , the Manx parliament bestowed an honorary knighthood after he won three races in the 2000 championship.

Yet away from the circuits he had another passion – charity work, for which he organised relief trips, earning an OBE in 1995 - to go with his MBE from 1986 for his motorcycling.

William Joseph Dunlop was born in Ballymoney, County Antrim , on February 25, 1952, as one of seven children, and harboured early ambitions to join the Army.

He began racing simply for the fun of it, and his first race was in 1969. But he was soon a regular winner, taking the 1977 Jubilee TT title and a further 25 races there, and later five world championships and six consecutive formula one championships.

After starting out on privately entered Yamahas, he joined the Honda team and enjoyed major success with them from 1983 onwards.

His roll of honour includes 24 Ulster Grands Prix, 13 North West 200s, 17 wins at the Skerries 100, and he was accomplished on anything from 125cc to the big 750s.

Mr Dunlop was a superstitious rider, always seen with a yellow helmet, riding a number 3 bike and wearing a red t-shirt under his leathers.

He ran a bar in Ballymoney when he was away from the racing circuits, and was handed the freedom of the borough only weeks before he died.

Mr Dunlop died when he hit a tree during a 125cc race on a 6.2-mile circuit in the capital of Estonia, Tallin .

He was survived by his wife Linda, who was his childhood sweetheart, and their five children - two sons and three daughters. His brother Robert Dunlop was also a road racer. He died in a track accident in 2008.

A charitable foundation formed after his death has resulted in disabled viewing facilities at the TT races.

In addition, property was purchased in Douglas, near the TT Grandstand, to become a holiday complex with specialised facilities for the disabled.