Paddy Hopkirk's 1964 Monte Carlo Rally feat won't be bettered, says friend Kris Meeke after death of Belfast hero

The 1964 Monte Carlo Rally was the motorsport equivalent of David taking on Goliath. Many said it could not exist done just, in a tiny ruby-red and white Mini Cooper S, Paddy Hopkirk — who passed abroad on Thursday anile 89 — proved bigger is non always better.

he underdog-turned-giant-slayer story was 1 that not only helped to create a British motoring icon, it too ensured that the Hopkirk proper noun would enter the annals of motorsport for generations to come.

It caught the public'due south imagination — specially those dorsum in the UK. Post-obit his success aslope Henry Liddon, he received a congratulatory telegram from the prime minister, Alec Douglas-Home.

Chart-toppers the Beatles also posted a photograph marked with the words, 'You are one of u.s. now, Paddy'.

Other accolades included the begetter-of-three being awarded the liberty of his metropolis of birth — Belfast — and a guest appearance on the Sixties' hitting TV bear witness Sunday Night at the Palladium, alongside 33 EJB.

Success did not change him, though. Whatever the occasion — and whatever the demands — he was e'er smiling, he was always approachable and he always establish fourth dimension to chat about cars.

As someone who put Northern Republic of ireland on the map, Hopkirk revelled in this in subsequently years. One individual to directly benefit from his help was countryman Kris Meeke.

At the turn of the new millennium, their paths crossed at a Peugeot-backed rally competition that was held at Silverstone in England.

Hopkirk was one of the judges and information technology was agreed that Meeke should be given the hazard to compete in the Peugeot Super 106 Cup the post-obit year.

This somewhen led to contracts with Peugeot Sport in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, which he won in 2009 before going on to represent the Mini, Citroen and Toyota marques on the World Rally Title stage.

"2000 was the commencement fourth dimension I met Paddy simply, as my career developed, we became adept friends," Meeke recalled.

"The advice he gave me when I was setting out e'er stuck with me — I never ever forgot it.

"When the Mini World Rally Squad was launched, Paddy was an ambassador and we got to spend quite a chip of time together.

"He was bang-up craic and he always had a funny story to tell. When you lot were out at events and he was there, you could be sure he would tug on your shirt and say a wisecrack in your ear."

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Paddy Hopkirk rose to fame with an epic win in the Monte Carlo One thousand Prix in a Min

Paddy Hopkirk rose to fame with an epic win in the Monte Carlo Thousand Prix in a Min

In terms of what Hopkirk did for the sport of rallying by guiding a small front-bicycle-bulldoze auto over frozen French land roads and snow-covered mountain passes, effectually tight corners and upward steep gradients, Meeke said it is unlikely to be equalled — or bettered.

"Back and then, Paddy was making the forepart folio of newspapers around the world. Now it'due south fair to say you lot would struggle to get a mention on the inside of a paper. The size of his achievement was massive," said the Andorra-based Dungannon homo.

Hopkirk was no one-hit wonder on the international stages, however. He triumphed at the Alpine Rally in 1966 and again in 1967 when he too mastered the notoriously difficult Acropolis Rally.

In 1977 he made the podium on the London-Sydney, won the RAC Golden l in 1982 and in 1990 led the way at the Pirelli Classic Marathon. Closer to home, he won the Circuit of Ireland five times.

Not surprisingly, he was one of the offset iv people to be inducted into the Rally Hall of Fame in 2010 and became British Racing Drivers' Club president from 2017-2019.

His car craft was not bars to rallying, however, as Hopkirk excelled on the track as well. He chalked up three finishes at the Le Mans 24 Hours in France and tasted success at the Spa 24 Hours in Belgium.

Paying tribute to Hopkirk — who died at Stoke Mandeville Hospital — a spokesperson for Mini said: "Paddy was greatly connected to the fabric and Dna of our company, following his iconic win at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964.

"His triumph in the classic Mini Cooper S made this small car world-famous. His passion for Mini was unwavering and he remained a close friend and administrator for the brand throughout his life.

"We will all miss him dearly and our thoughts are with the Hopkirk family."

Source: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/motor-sport/paddy-hopkirks-1964-monte-carlo-rally-feat-wont-be-bettered-says-friend-kris-meeke-after-death-of-belfast-hero-41861541.html

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