Paddy Hopkirk RIP
Discussion
Just heard the news that Mini (MINI) stalwart and Monte Carlo winner Paddy Hopkirk has passed.
He's probably a bit before the time for most people on PH, but I got to meet him through work on numerous occasions in the 00's. I was working for BMW and he was a MINI brand ambassador.
It got to the point where he was calling me weekly just to speak to someone from BMW as no one else was returning his calls! Y333EJB was his reg plate for his MINI's. IIRC
RIP Paddy.
He's probably a bit before the time for most people on PH, but I got to meet him through work on numerous occasions in the 00's. I was working for BMW and he was a MINI brand ambassador.
It got to the point where he was calling me weekly just to speak to someone from BMW as no one else was returning his calls! Y333EJB was his reg plate for his MINI's. IIRC
RIP Paddy.
I'm sorry to hear that. He lived a half a mile from my last house as the crow flies and it wasn't until I contacted Mill Accessory Group in the 1990s touting an invention for the motor accessory trade that I found out. He rang me and invited me to his house to discuss it and see whether his company might want it, and gave me some sage advice on how to avoid being ripped off. He was a really nice chap and he had a lovely home. I believe his house was on the market in the last twelve month or so. RIP Paddy.
A real motorsport hero.
I met him in the gatehouse at Gaydon as he was trying to book in for a meeting back in the BMW days. The staff had no clue who he was but we had a nice chat.
He was good friends with an old neighbour (another driver of his generation) and used to see the Mini as mentioned above parked in their drive.
RIP
I met him in the gatehouse at Gaydon as he was trying to book in for a meeting back in the BMW days. The staff had no clue who he was but we had a nice chat.
He was good friends with an old neighbour (another driver of his generation) and used to see the Mini as mentioned above parked in their drive.
RIP
A motorsport, and motoring legend. Winning the Monte when it was a big deal and an appearance on Sunday Night at the Palladium, and 'christened' as the fifth Beatle.
And was also a handy circuit racer as well; something I wish more rally drivers would attempt to do, especially as there are so few top line WRC seats.
Only a few months after Vic Elford passed.....
And was also a handy circuit racer as well; something I wish more rally drivers would attempt to do, especially as there are so few top line WRC seats.
Only a few months after Vic Elford passed.....
ArnageWRC said:
A motorsport, and motoring legend. Winning the Monte when it was a big deal and an appearance on Sunday Night at the Palladium, and 'christened' as the fifth Beatle.
And was also a handy circuit racer as well; something I wish more rally drivers would attempt to do, especially as there are so few top line WRC seats.
Only a few months after Vic Elford passed.....
... & Alain de Cadenet a few weeks ago.And was also a handy circuit racer as well; something I wish more rally drivers would attempt to do, especially as there are so few top line WRC seats.
Only a few months after Vic Elford passed.....
I am never sad when a man who lived such a full life has died, he lived a life filled to the max with speed, fun, and great humour and memories, he was a genuine man, would talk to anyone and was active until his last years.
He achieved a lot, and was linekd so much with Mini, the two almost come to mind together.
Don't be sad folks, legends always live one and Paddy lived his life to the max!!
He achieved a lot, and was linekd so much with Mini, the two almost come to mind together.
Don't be sad folks, legends always live one and Paddy lived his life to the max!!
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