Monte Carlo Rally legend Paddy Hopkirk dies aged 89

Paddy Hopkirk, who famously won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally at the wheel of a Mini Cooper, has passed away

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Northern Irish rally driver Paddy Hopkirk at the start of the London to Mexico World Cup rally at Wembley Stadium, London, UK, 19th April 1970. (Photo by Michael Stroud/Daily Express/Getty Images)

Hopkirk became a rally legend following his exploits with the Mini Cooper

Michael Stroud/Daily Express/Getty Images)

Paddy Hopkirk, 1933 – 2022

Monte Carlo Rally legend Paddy Hopkirk, who famously won the 1964 event in a Mini Cooper has died at the age of 89.

The Northern Irishman, who claimed 13 international rallies in his career, won the Monte with co-driver Henry Liddon as the all-British crew saw off a formidable field of various works efforts to take a memorable victory.

His family released a statement describing him as “a loving husband, father and grandfather,” who leaves behind “an incredible legacy of motorsport and business success.”

Hopkirk shot to British celebrity overnight with his win on the Monte, being sent messages of congratulations by Prime Minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home and The Beatles, awarded the Freedom of Belfast and invited as a guest on Bruce Forsyth’s Sunday Night at the London Palladium, complete with his Mini.

After garnering more success throughout the ’60s before retiring, Hopkirk remained indelibly linked with the small, nimble Mini Cooper and images of it sliding through snowy mountain passes.

Mini of Paddy Hopkirk on the Col de Turini in the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally

Hopkirk competing on the Monte in ’64

BMW

Born in Belfast, Hopkirk told Simon Taylor in 2009 that he learnt car control at the wheel of a vintage mobility vehicle gifted to him in the will of a clergyman he used to look after.

“It was highly unstable,” he said. “I learned to drive it flat out, sideways, around an estate near where we lived. The brakes only worked on the back, so when you tried to slow down it was like doing a handbrake turn.”

From the archive

When Hopkirk was old enough to drive on public roads, his father tried reduce the risk of his motorcycle ambitions by making him fit a sidecar to the bike, with which he further honed his sideways skills on the wet cobbles of Belfast.

After racing through the Irish countryside on the weekend’s with university friends, Hopkirk dropped out of education to get a job at a VW dealer in Belfast.

This led him to rallying second-hand Beetles, winning his class on the 1955 Circuit of Ireland. From there Hopkirk rallied a Triumph TR2 and caught the attention of the marque’s competition boss Ken Richardson.

The young man from Belfast was entered into the 1956 RAC for his first international event, and blew the opposition away in the opening stage on Blackpool seafront. Though he would later be hampered by mechanical issues, a star was born.

Competing in events home and away for the next three years, Hopkirk would make his Monte debut with new co-driver Jack Scott in 1958. He would win the Circuit of Ireland that year, as well as in 1961 and 1962.

Northern Irish rally driver Paddy Hopkirk (left) and co-driver Henry Liddon (1932 - 1987) with the Mini Cooper S, in which they recently won the Monte Carlo Rally, at the Racing Car Show at Olympia, London, 27th January 1964. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

With co-driver Liddon following ’64 Monte win

Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Irishman would then go to compete as a works driver for Rootes group and its brands on both rally and circuit racing, winning his class in what is now the BTCC at Silverstone in 1960, as well as competing at Sebring and Le Mans.

Hopkirk transferred over to the British Motor Corporation’s competition team for 1962, and with new co-driver Henry Liddon would take sixth in a Mini on the ’63 Monte, before his historic victory the next year.

From the archive

In ’64 Hopkirk famously defeated an eight car team of Ford Falcons (one driver being Graham Hill) as well as works efforts from Mercedes, Saab and more on the treacherous icy mountain stages.

A handicap coefficient had to be worked out, meaning that legendary motor sport photographer Bernard Cahier had to call Hopkirk at 4am following the finish to let him know he’d won.

Hopkirk became an instant star, dining with Juan Manuel Fangio in celebration as well as the above-mentioned TV appearances and congratulations from international celebrities.

The Ulsterman would continue to compete through the ’60s, taking a class win at the Spa 24 Hours and buying a house in England as his prominence grew, at one point having Jim Clark as a lodger.

UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 04: Paddy Hopkirk, who won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini, stands next to a next to a newly unveiled limited edition Mini Cooper S at the Chicago Auto Show February 4, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois. Purchasers of the car will receive the removable magnet racing numbers shown and the car will be autographed by Hopkirk. (Photo by John Zich/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Hopkirk remained indelibly linked with the Mini Cooper for most of his life

John Zich/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Hopkirk retired in 1970 too focus on his car importing business after BMC closed its competitions department, but would remain prominent in the world of motor sport, successfully securing world rally status for Rally Ireland in 2009.

“His hard work in support of the British motorsport and wider car industry continued until his final days,” said his family.

“His family, friends and fans will never forget his sharp wit and wicked smile. He brought fun and joy to anyone in his company and inspired many.”

Paddy Hopkirk is survived by his wife Jennifer, three children and six grandchildren. Motor Sport sends its sincere condolences to his family and friends.

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