Phil Guillou (No. 11) racing at Donington last year. (0475219)
PHIL GUILLOU was one of the first to come across Robert Dunlop’s fatal accident during Thursday’s qualifying round for the North West 200 in Northern Ireland. The world of motorcycling has been stunned by the death of Dunlop, who was one of its most popular characters. The 48-year-old was thrown when his bike seized up at high speed. He later died in hospital from severe chest injuries. Sarnian Guillou was riding in the same qualifying session.
‘We were the first ones to come across the accident,’ he said. ‘Rob was still lying in the road and there was bike debris all over the track. He would have been doing 150mph to 160mph. We were still doing 150mph when we came up to it.’
Guillou knew Dunlop and is a friend of his son Michael, who is also a motorcycle road racer. Dunlop’s brother Joey also died in a bike accident in Estonia, eight years ago.
Saturday’s race went ahead with the Dunlop family’s blessing.
Guillou himself survived a major accident at Brands Hatch two years ago.
He could have been paralysed when he came off at 95mph, but is phlegmatic regarding the dangers.
‘You get used to this happening with road racing,’ he said.
‘The mood is very, very sombre. I think people just want to get the race over with and that’s it.’
Guillou qualified 22nd out of 53 riders.
‘I was quite pleased,’ he said.
‘We made some changes to the bike and it was going really, really well.
‘At Tuesday night’s qualifiers I got it up to 168mph.’
The Sarnian had hoped to finish in the top 20 for the Greenline 250 race but his hopes disappeared with visual problems from the outset.
‘I had a lot of troubles with my visor. It was steamed up right from the start.
‘I couldn’t see anything for two laps.’
‘It was a load of rubbish . . . an absolute disaster.’
Guillou ultimately had to settle for 32nd place from 53 starters in an event won by Michael Dunlop.
‘Michael was very brave riding and everybody was really happy for him.’
Article posted on 19th May, 2008 - 2.30pm
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