The Mini has been an automotive icon for over half a century. While the stylish compact was certainly a cultural icon, the first Mini was made famous by its competitive success. Paddy Hopkirk secured many of Mini’s biggest rally wins, including at 1964 Rallye Monte Carlo. He passed away yesterday, aged 89.
Mini Sport released a statement announcing Hopkirk’s passing:
“Paddy is a great friend to all of us here at Mini Sport, but more than that, he is part of our Mini family. We want to give special thanks to Paddy for everything he has done during his illustrious career, both for the Mini Sport and the Mini itself… Paddy has achieved the impossible, he has strengthened Mini in history and will forever be known as one of the greatest motorsport heroes of all time. He will greatly miss everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. “
Paddy Hopkirk, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1933, had his first notable results in international races with a class victory at the 1955 Ireland Circuit. , he has won the Irish Circuit 5 times. Three of those wins will be from behind the wheel of a Mini Cooper.
Hopkirk’s most famous win will come with the iconic red number. 37 Mini Coopers at the Rallye Monte Carlo in 1964. Not only did Hopkirk and the rest of the BMC team push the Mini past larger and more powerful machines, he also happened to add another element of danger to the rally. mine. This went back to its original format as the rally had a number of different starting positions across Europe. Hopkirk volunteering started in Minsk, Belarus in the then Soviet Union. He told Hagerty a few years ago, “I, like an idiot, put my hand up, because I never [to the Soviet Union]. “
Against all odds, Hopkirk reached the First Principality to the amazement of everyone around the world. He received congratulatory messages from British Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home and the Beatles. Paddy Hopkirk became a household name in the UK and the Mini became an instant symbol of weakness. A few years later, in 1967, he was elected a full member of the prestigious British Drivers’ Club (BRDC). The only ones guaranteed to be full members are England and the Commonwealth F1 World Champion.
Hopkirk will become BRDC President in 2017 and hold the position until 2019. In some ways, Hopkirk is the perfect driver for the Mini. He is humble, hardworking and always grateful.
