Because he's a Dunlop and that's what the fans love! It's more about PR than anything. Hutchy is a superb rider, but hardly suited to life in front of the camera, that's why Guy Martin does well despite never winning a TT!
Yeah - but having gone to 3 or 4 TT's now Guy Martin doesn't come over in real life as he does on the telly/media. Every time ive seen him he doesn't chat to anyone, doesn't seem to want to sign autographs and ultimately as soon as he's back in at the paddock gets on his mountain bike and disappears. Comes over as the cheeky chappie who turns up in his transit with the bike in the back but in reality I think the team motorhome was as big as my house. Last year he happened to end up in a side street at Ramsey and as soon as people got wind it was him - he was gone. Start contrast a couple of years ago John McGuiness finished his race went out in to the paddock and chatted to people for a good half hour or so and then went back in. Always been an approachable person. I have heard that apparently he doesn't really understand why people are so interested in him - which is the reason why he's a bit of a recluse/reclusive - not sure - just saying what ive seen over the years....
There is an answer why John is like he is, that is because he comes from Morecambe Like me. True Northerner:biggrin:
Yup - he's a nice guy - the prolem is, that ive always found is....you get to chat to someone like McG....what do you say? "Hows the family?" - bit creepy. Offer riding tips? - don't even bother... "Good race John!" - chances are he probably just won it...tell him something he doesn't know... Its actually quite challenging to ask a racing celeb - whoever they are anything relevant that they would actually want to listen to... By stark contrast I tried to be different and a little funny when I met Jamie Whitham and said "thanks very much for reminding me how shit I am on a bike" - signed my lid, looked at me like I was a weirdo and made a hasty exit/walked away really fast. Although I did get a laugh from Cameron Donald - happened to see him doing his white van man impression and shouted through the window "The wife said loose the beard!" as I was riding alongside him at the time.... That's my claim to fame.
Sound like he will be riding something. Legendary road racers John McGuinness and Michael Dunlop have just been revealed as the team captains for next February’s Revolution show. [h=1]The Revolution show is a multi-bike, thrills-and-spills motorcycle race where celebrity riders go head-to-head on everything from pit bikes to trials machines over a specially-built indoor course. As captains, McGuinness and Dunlop will lead two star-studded teams of current and former TT and real road racers over beams, ramps and jumps. It’s the most exciting and thrill-packed race you’ll see all year! McGuinness, the 20-time Isle of Man TT race winner and outright lap record holder, will pit his specially selected team of road legends against seven-time TT winner Michael Dunlop’s own band of icons. The competition has already been dubbed the ‘Kings of the Roads’ and in the coming weeks you’ll see why. The full line-up is yet to be revealed but will feature heavyweights of road racing from past and present, including household names. Between them, the riders on the two teams hold an incredible 100 TT victories. Having ridden in the last three Revolution shows, McGuinness is looking forward to returning in 2014. “Revolution is such a laugh,” he said. “It’s great for all the family and the riders really get stuck in. Motorcycle racers are ridiculously competitive people so expect to see a few tangled handlebars. Michael Dunlop doesn’t know what he’s let himself in for!” The Revolution show takes place three times a day on Friday and four times during Saturday and Sunday. There’s no extra cost to see Revolution and tickets to get into the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show cost just £16, with kids going free!* *All bookings subject to a £1.50 transaction fee. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult [/h]
View attachment 22043 Meet Whitham at the hotel at Brands, the were opening a sports bar (not bra) Keen to chat and made it easy to converse. He smelt nice too. He enjoyed a few Peroni's iirc. His misses looked good aswell.
Dunlop wants to win...so suzuki would never be a goer imho...and could you have them two, notoriously difficult to work with, guys in one team?!
When I met Dunlop, it went something like 'err, excuse me, but are you Michael Dunlop?' 'Yes I am' 'Can I just say I think youre the most exciting racer I've ever seen' 'Thanks man (or something like that) 'no problem, see you later' That was it, less than a minute. All very civil
I met Guy Martin years ago at a Hein Gericke thing, back in 2009 before he became massively famous thanks to the film and his subsequent TV work. It was December, almost snowing, and there were only about ten folk there including the shop staff. He seemed like an ordinary, decent guy who was quite funny, and happy talking bikes and racing. However, his life has changed quite a bit since then, although I don't get the stick he gets for owning an Aston, as if we wouldn't if we had the money. The Aston has now been sold FWIW. He may well be uncomfortable dealing with the intensity of the media stuff on the Island now, plus, if I was him, I'd be a touch embarrassed at getting so much of the media spotlight when I'd never won a TT...and was racing against plenty of guys that had, and feeling the pressure of it. However, he makes for good telly, whereas Hutchinson comes across as a rather shy chap who wouldn't say boo to a goose, and Michael Dunlop was once described by a bike magazine as an unpleasant chav - which is just how he comes across. McGuinness is special at it because he doesn't look like an athlete - he's a fat nothern bloke with a thinning hairline and dreadful teeth who looks like most of his supporters, which is no bad thing at all!
I think the reason he may get stick for the aston is he gives an impression of simple skint mechanic. The car is at odds with that.
