RIP Paddy Hopkirk
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RIP Paddy Hopkirk
Sadly Paddy Hopkirk passed away last night. A true hero of international rallying...
Re: RIP Paddy Hopkirk
That's sad news
Some driving tips from the legend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBycDg_irbE
From the Telegraph obit; on winning the '64 Monte having started from Minsk 'Hopkirk had smuggled in caviar from the Soviet Union, intending to sell it when he got to France, but instead he and his team had a caviar party...He received a telegram from...the Beatles which read: “It’s nice to be No 1 isn’t it? Stop.” They also sent a signed photo with the message “You’re one of us now Paddy!” '
I didn't know he rallied Beetles, far left on the '54 Circuit of Ireland which he led on day 1
Some driving tips from the legend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBycDg_irbE
From the Telegraph obit; on winning the '64 Monte having started from Minsk 'Hopkirk had smuggled in caviar from the Soviet Union, intending to sell it when he got to France, but instead he and his team had a caviar party...He received a telegram from...the Beatles which read: “It’s nice to be No 1 isn’t it? Stop.” They also sent a signed photo with the message “You’re one of us now Paddy!” '
I didn't know he rallied Beetles, far left on the '54 Circuit of Ireland which he led on day 1
maverick
noun
1. an unorthodox or independent-minded person.
2. an unbranded calf or yearling.
Origin mid 19th century: from the name of Samuel A. Maverick (1803–70), a Texas rancher who did not brand his cattle.
noun
1. an unorthodox or independent-minded person.
2. an unbranded calf or yearling.
Origin mid 19th century: from the name of Samuel A. Maverick (1803–70), a Texas rancher who did not brand his cattle.
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Re: RIP Paddy Hopkirk
A bit more, I knew he started in VW Beetles, but didn’t realise he worked in Ballsbridge.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/61930544
My brothers and I used to own a Frog-eye Sprite that he drove on the Dungarvan Hillclimb.
Truly the end of an era.
JW
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/61930544
My brothers and I used to own a Frog-eye Sprite that he drove on the Dungarvan Hillclimb.
Truly the end of an era.
JW
Last edited by jwhillracer on Mon Jul 25, 2022 4:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Life's a single timed run with no practice....
1970 914/6 2.4E/Webers
1970 VW Beetle project
1972 911 Hillclimber (now 3.5 litre on Management ) Part of the family for 39 years!
2006 Hymer Merc Starline 630
2000 T4 Van LPG
2000 Golf V5 Estate GT
1970 914/6 2.4E/Webers
1970 VW Beetle project
1972 911 Hillclimber (now 3.5 litre on Management ) Part of the family for 39 years!
2006 Hymer Merc Starline 630
2000 T4 Van LPG
2000 Golf V5 Estate GT
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Re: RIP Paddy Hopkirk
Folk also forget his racing exploits in single seaters and then with the BMC teams at the likes of the Targa Florio and Le Mans in the MGBs
A real all rounder.
He protested my dad’s Beetle for not carrying a spare wheel when it beat his Speedwell A35 at a Hillclimb back in the day.
A real all rounder.
He protested my dad’s Beetle for not carrying a spare wheel when it beat his Speedwell A35 at a Hillclimb back in the day.
Cheers
Mike
RS Rep 3.0 on Webers
Mike
RS Rep 3.0 on Webers
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Re: RIP Paddy Hopkirk
R.I.P. Paaddy. Had the glass with him!
1971 Targa Sportomatic in Green 1972 2.4e sunroof coupe 1990 964 C2 Member no 82
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Re: RIP Paddy Hopkirk
Sad news to read.
One of the best.
One of the best.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Re: RIP Paddy Hopkirk
Sorry to hear the passing of a true gentleman and great driver.
1972 2.4S, since 1988
993 RSR Cup
73 RS Rep Race
2018 GT3RS Lizard
993 RSR Cup
73 RS Rep Race
2018 GT3RS Lizard
Re: RIP Paddy Hopkirk
Sad news indeed. A gentlemen and a great all rounder. As has already been mentioned he competed at Le Mans six time (1961 - 1966) in MG's and Austin-Healey's. RIP.
Brendan
1969 911T
2007 2.7 Boxster
Pray, hope and don't worry - Padre Pio
1969 911T
2007 2.7 Boxster
Pray, hope and don't worry - Padre Pio
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Re: RIP Paddy Hopkirk
In the early 70's my brother had an Austin Healey Frog-eye Sprite that all three brothers drove all over the place. I used it for 6 months or more driving to and from work. It was a great little car, I could handbrake it anywhere as long as the lane was wider than the Sprite was long ...........
Luckily it was later fitted with a roll-over bar, because one day it met its end when a bus rear-ended it, and the roll bar saved the lived of my youngest brother, and our sister.
It wasn't worth repairing, so it was taken to a local farm which had a large hole to fill in, and was covered with a large slab of concrete.
Seven or eight years ago, my sister-in-law bought my brother a book about Paddy Hopkirk, and there was a photo of Paddy driving WZ 9303 on Dungarvan hill climb.
We had never known!
JW
Luckily it was later fitted with a roll-over bar, because one day it met its end when a bus rear-ended it, and the roll bar saved the lived of my youngest brother, and our sister.
It wasn't worth repairing, so it was taken to a local farm which had a large hole to fill in, and was covered with a large slab of concrete.
Seven or eight years ago, my sister-in-law bought my brother a book about Paddy Hopkirk, and there was a photo of Paddy driving WZ 9303 on Dungarvan hill climb.
We had never known!
JW
Life's a single timed run with no practice....
1970 914/6 2.4E/Webers
1970 VW Beetle project
1972 911 Hillclimber (now 3.5 litre on Management ) Part of the family for 39 years!
2006 Hymer Merc Starline 630
2000 T4 Van LPG
2000 Golf V5 Estate GT
1970 914/6 2.4E/Webers
1970 VW Beetle project
1972 911 Hillclimber (now 3.5 litre on Management ) Part of the family for 39 years!
2006 Hymer Merc Starline 630
2000 T4 Van LPG
2000 Golf V5 Estate GT
- MikeB
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Re: RIP Paddy Hopkirk
Did it have any Speedwell parts on it when you had it , Jonathan?
Cheers
Mike
RS Rep 3.0 on Webers
Mike
RS Rep 3.0 on Webers
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- Me and DDK sitting in a tree! KISSING
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- Location: Sunny Somerset, just above the water....
Re: RIP Paddy Hopkirk
I don’t remember, Mike. It did go very well for a 948. Ask Mervyn when you see him next, it was his car. That’s him in the photo in the early 70’s when he had hair!
Life's a single timed run with no practice....
1970 914/6 2.4E/Webers
1970 VW Beetle project
1972 911 Hillclimber (now 3.5 litre on Management ) Part of the family for 39 years!
2006 Hymer Merc Starline 630
2000 T4 Van LPG
2000 Golf V5 Estate GT
1970 914/6 2.4E/Webers
1970 VW Beetle project
1972 911 Hillclimber (now 3.5 litre on Management ) Part of the family for 39 years!
2006 Hymer Merc Starline 630
2000 T4 Van LPG
2000 Golf V5 Estate GT
- MikeB
- Put a fork in me, I'm done!
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Re: RIP Paddy Hopkirk
Didn’t we alljwhillracer wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 5:55 pm That’s him in the photo in the early 70’s when he had hair!
Cheers
Mike
RS Rep 3.0 on Webers
Mike
RS Rep 3.0 on Webers