RPM PADDY HOPKIRK GALA SPECIAL ON UTV

RPM PHG SPECIAL on UTV this Thursday at 11.00pm

Posted: March 25, 2014 12:16 PM

"Now that the dust has settled and I have had a period to recover from that highly exhilarating and exhausting Hokirk Gala Day, it is time to reflect on what has been a truly outstanding event. It is wonderful to think that so many people enjoyed them selves and helped our committee to raise so much money for the two deserving charities.

I have many personal memories from the day. The moment when I turned on the cameras in the leading Mini as we drove down the main drive at Stormont. Paddy Hopkirk could not speak, he was so overcome with emotion. And what about Paddy the dedication and stamina that he put into the day!

As the Mini parade passed through Belfast there were so many old faces popping out of the vast crowds. The spectacle and the skill of the Autotest drivers on the spectacular backdrop of the Titanic Slipway. The long line of autograph hunter in the marquee.

Then the spellbinding moment when the Bright Light dancers hit the floor to ‘I’ll Tell Me Ma When I get Home’ to blast off the Gala Evening. I knew from that moment that the night was going to be an outstanding success anchored by the professionalism of Jason Barlow and the behind the scenes organisation of Veronica Cunningham.

Margaret Keys and the ballet dancers nearly brought me to tears when Margaret descended the Grand Staircase. I have seen Celine Dion sing ‘My Heart Goes On’ in Las Vagas and believe me do not waste the air fair, Margaret is better!

Olivia Nash, ‘Ma’, telling us about the Lagan Canal. Sitting with a multiple British Champion, a World Champion, and a current World Rally Team driver on stage, and meeting all those rallying and racing legends in the room again. The excellent Phil Coulter finale with his special version of ‘Congratulations’ for Paddy.

It has been an honour to have worked with Beatty Crawford and my fellow committee members on this project. I think we will look back on the 22nd. February 2014 as a red-letter day in our lives thanks to Beatty’s inspiration and perseverance.

Look out for the show which is being put together by my son Moto GP Producer Chris Tyndall, who says RPM is dead! In addition to our normal coverage we have added on-board, remote, slo-mo, drone and and jib cameras."

Plum Tyndall.