Sadly this week we note the passing of the Irish race and rally driver Paddy Hopkirk.

While Paddy was famously recorded a winner of the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini Cooper S, he started rallying for the Standard Motor Company.

Joining BMC as a work driver in 1963, Paddy was to compete in a range of BMC products including Austin Healey 3000’s, Prototype Sprites and MG Midgets, as well as the famous Mini Cooper S.

Paddy completed in various rally events including Targa Florio, and numerous English and European Rally’s.

Paddy has also an Australian connection competing in Mini Cooper S’s at the Bathurst 500 during 1965 -to 1967 – finishing 6th outright in 1965.

He also competed in the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon in an Austin 1800, where he finished 2nd to Andrew Cowan’s Hillman Hunter.

Paddy was also recognised in many competition events, even having a motorkhana course named after him – “Hopkirk”.

And every 1960’s -70’s sporting driver had to have a Paddy Hopkirk Throttle Pedal on their Mini. Morris Minor or MGB!

Our thoughts are with the Motor Sport Family at this sad time.