Motorsport legend Paddy Hopkirk has died, aged 89
Motorsport legend Paddy Hopkirk – famous for winning the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally in the BMC Mini Cooper S has died, aged 89.
Born in Belfast, 14th April 1933, Hopkirk first competed in an Austin 7 ‘Chummy’ Tourer which he used to make his rally debut. Once he got the rally bug, he competed in a variety of vehicles ranging from VW Beetles to Triumphs.
In 1959 he joined the Rootes Group as a works driver, initially picking up a drive in a Hillman Husky. He competed in the Safari Rally after reigning F1 World Champion Mike Hawthorn, who was originally meant to drive the car, was killed in a road accident. Later that year he placed third overall and took a class win at the Alpine Rally in a Sunbeam Rapier, and he then led the 1960 Safari Rally until his Rapier suffered a differential failure. He took two Circuit of Ireland wins in 1961 and 1962, and another third at the Alpine Rally in 1961.
Whilst at Rootes, Hopkirk he also took part in circuit racing, winning his class in a Rapier in the touring car race supporting the 1960 British Grand Prix.
Paddy Hopkirk -Sunbeam Rapier during the Alpine Rally on June 24, 1961. (Photo by LAT Images)
He finished third at the 1962 Monte Carlo Rally in a Sunbeam Rapier. However, Hopkirk was becoming frustrated by the Rapier’s lack of reliability and looked a field for a new challenge.
He first competed in a Mini at the 1963 Monte Carlo Rally, where he finished sixth.
But his big win was alongside Henry Liddon he won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally in a works BMC Mini Cooper S, the car carried the now famous # 37 and had the registration number 33 EJB.
Paddy Hopkirk / Henry Liddon, Mini-Cooper S during the Monte Carlo Rally on January 18, 1964. (Photo by LAT Images)
He also led BMC to the overall teams win, with fellow Mini Cooper S drivers Timo Makinen and Rauno Altonen who placed fourth and seventh. The victory made Hopkirk and the Mini Cooper S a household name.
He received telegrams from the then UK Prime Minister and the Beatles, and was given the Freedom of the City of Belfast. He and his Mini also appeared on Sunday Night at the London Palladium Theatre.
1964 Monte carlo Rally – Paddy Hopkirk and co-driver Liddonwith their winning Mini Copper S. LAT Photographic.
From 1965 to 1967 Hopkirk competed at Bathurst is the 500-mile race driving as part of BMC’s assault on the then Bathurst 500 touring car race at Mount Panorama. He achieved a best result of sixth outright and third in class, in the 1965 Armstrong 500, driving a Mini Cooper S alongside fellow rally driver Timo Makinen of Finland.
In 1968, Hopkirk driving an Austin 1800, competed in the London to Sydney Marathon, and following a head on collision between the then leader of the event, the Claude Laurent and Jean-Claude Ogier DS Citron team, and a local driver on an apparently closed road. Hopkirk and his teammate Tony Nash gallantly gave up any chance of victory on the penultimate stage to rescue the occupants of the vehicles. Hopkirk and his teammate managed to pull out the occupants from both cars, which had started to burn, probably saving the life of severely wounded Lucien Bianchi in the process.
The accident happened just ahead of Hopkirk’s Austin 1800, who drove back against the flow of traffic to warn onlookers and the police. Hopkirk and Nash likely also prevented another crash with any oncoming participants. Hopkirk’s crew went on to complete the rally in second, behind the winning Hillman Hunter of Andrew Cowin, Colin Malkin and Brian Coyle.
In 1977, with co-driver Taylor Mike, he took part once again in a revived edition of the London-Sydney Marathon, this time driving a Citroen CX 2400, the team taking 3rd place overall in front of another CX driven by Claude Laurent and Jean-Claude Ogier, who had been rescued by Hopkirk and Nash in 1968.
In 2010, he was among the first four inductees into the Rally Hall of Fame alongside Timo Makinen, Rauno Aaltonen and Erik Carlsson and in 2016 Hopkirk was appointed MBE.
Hopkirk was a hero to millions on Mini fans from around the world and will be remembered as a great racer and sportsman.
He is survived by his wife Jennifer, their children Katie, Patrick and William, and six grandchildren.
