This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7910701.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Dunlop died after engine seized Dunlop died after engine seized
(40 minutes later)
Motorcycle racer Robert Dunlop died when he inadvertently hit the front brake after his engine seized at over 150mph, an inquest has found.Motorcycle racer Robert Dunlop died when he inadvertently hit the front brake after his engine seized at over 150mph, an inquest has found.
It happened during a practice session for last year's North West 200. It happened during a practice session for Northern Ireland's premier racing event, the North West 200.
The harsh braking hurled Dunlop over the handlebars and a rider he had just overtaken ran over him, before himself crashing and suffering severe injuries.The harsh braking hurled Dunlop over the handlebars and a rider he had just overtaken ran over him, before himself crashing and suffering severe injuries.
Mr Dunlop's brother, Joey, a legendary figure in British motorcycle circles, died while racing in Estonia in 2000. Mr Dunlop's brother, Joey, died while racing in Estonia in 2000.
Because of injuries suffered in a previous crash Robert Dunlop had a modified braking system on his 250cc bike which had initially been frowned upon by the motorcycle authorities, the inquest heard.
The 47-year-old, who holds the record for the most wins at the North West 200 meeting with 15, had expressed concerns about his bike possibly seizing after a previous practice two days before and ordered modifications.
He was on one of the fastest stretches of the circuit for the first time after the changes had been made when he crashed in May last year.
I have concluded that what happened was caused by him inadvertently applying the brake lever using his left thumb as he was attempting to apply the clutch Coroner John Leckey
The inquiry was held in Coleraine through which the annual race passes.
His widow Louise found it too difficult to attend and the couple's biker sons Michael and William attended but left halfway through the hearing, clearly distressed.
Other members of the family remained and it was left to Dunlop's twin sister Margaret Rodgers to give coroner John Leckey formal details.
The inquest heard Dunlop had only ridden the Honda for two laps during the previous practice two days earlier because it was not running as he wanted.
Good friend John Kennedy who had gone to the meeting with him said: "The 250cc bike had given him some concern. He said it was only when he was going flat out in top gear, he was concerned that the bike was hesitating and then going forward again - as if it was going to seize, but it didn't."
He said it had only happened on the fast run in to the bend at Mathers Cross - the spot where the engine did seize causing his death two days later.
Because of previous injuries which at first put him out of racing before he made a comeback, Dunlop had modified the braking system to the front wheel by operating a thumb operated wheel brake on the left handlebar sited below the level of the clutch lever.
Mr Dunlop holds the record for the most wins at the North West 200
Coroner John Leckey said: "I have concluded that what happened was caused by him inadvertently applying the brake lever using his left thumb as he was attempting to apply the clutch.
"This would have produced a powerful and instant braking effect on the front wheel and that is the explanation for him somersaulting over the handlebars.
"I am conscious of the fact that bearing in mind the speed he was travelling at he had to respond instantly.
"Therefore, the modifications to the front wheel braking system and, in particular, the location of the left thumb brake lever are likely to have been factors in the tragic sequence of events."
Mr Leckey said the inquest was a particularly sad occasion recalling as it did "the tragic death of one of the most famous sports personalities to come from Northern Ireland. He was known to everyone, as was his late brother".
Emerson Callender from the Northern Ireland Forensic Service examined the bike after the crash and said the pistons had seized. He described two-stroke engines as "quite fickle".
He said they could provide years of trouble-free service but when they were highly tuned difficulties could occur.
"You have to give up a bit on reliability to get more power," he said.
Sensors
The coroner asked whether sensors such as those installed in cars could not be put on the two-stroke engines, but Mr Callender said because of their high emission level two-stroke engines had fallen out of favour with manufacturers who were no longer carrying out engine developments.
The Northern Ireland Forensic Service representative said manufacturers now preferred to concentrate on four-stroke fuel-injected machines.
Mr Leckey recorded that Dunlop died from multiple injuries in Coleraine hospital shortly after his crash. He said he saw no point in publicly detailing the exact injuries.