Not solely does it hyperlink Jonathan Lea with Joey Dunlop, it additionally has extra hyperlinks than a tribute helmet.
He raced on the UK Worldsub in Donington Park final weekend and had a yellow helmet to honor his hero Dunlop.
37 years after Dunlop got here on the rostrum for his first superbike race round Donington Park.
Not too long ago, in her hometown of Northern Eire, Rea attended the Dunlop memorial 25 years after her tragic loss of life in a highway racing accident.
He left essentially the most successful legacy on the Isle of Man TT, the place his nephew Michael Dunlop is now crushed.
Nonetheless, Rea not solely shares Northern Eire as his house nation, but in addition has a detailed hyperlink to the legendary Dunlop.
Jonathan Leah explains household hyperlinks to Joey Dunlop
“My grandfather was an enormous fan,” defined Jonathan Lea.
“He helped Joey kickstart his profession. He was a working-class man who joined the transport. He had a fleet of vehicles. My dad nonetheless owns the corporate.
“Joey was one of many biggest highway racers ever. He was within the period earlier than me.
“However I grew up in Paddock when he was nonetheless racing together with his father. He was worshiped by hundreds of individuals everywhere in the world.”
REA has been added to Donington Park, the place Crash.Internet was positioned.
“He is an excellent ambassador to the nation and an absolute legend.
“Final month there was a tribute day in his native city. Tens of hundreds of individuals got here and I went there on one among his bikes, really my grandfather’s bike.
“I had this concept earlier this 12 months. I knew it was 25 years since he handed away, and with Aldo Drudi and Arai, I got here up with some nice designs to include his designs into my sponsors.
“I used to be fairly proud right now as I sat on the grid and watched.
“Fortuitously, I did not jinx as a result of I crashed each time I used a particular one-time helmet previously, so I had it in my mind.
“So, actually Joey introduced me luck.”
Uncommon completed fifth at Donington Park in Race 1 and fifteenth in Race 2.
