Golden Jubilee Paddy Hopkirk’s Monte Carlo victory - (Sat) 22 Feb 14

Paddy Hopkirk Gala Online auction

Posted: February 20, 2014 11:24 AM

Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle to drive Citroen Rally car in the Paddy Hopkirk Gala Cavalacade.

Posted: February 18, 2014 12:52 PM

World Rally Championship stars Kris Meeke and his co-driver Paul Nagle will drive a Citroen DS3 R3 rally car in the Paddy Hopkirk Gala Cavalcade which starts from Stormont at 10.30am on Saturday February 22nd

Kris is proud to be joining the cavalcade.
"I'm delighted to be part of the celebrations to mark Paddy’s victory on the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964. Paddy has been a huge supporter of my rally career in recent years and, having finished on the Monte Carlo podium myself just a few weeks ago, I've a fair idea how tough it was for him to make it to the top step, on one of the most challenging events in the world! I’m looking forward to seeing many of my home supporters" .

The Citroen R3 which had been rally prepared by David Greer and his team at Carryduff Forklift

will be sponsored by the Donnelly Group Citroen dealership in Dungannon.

After leaving Stormont the cavalcade will make its way to the City Hall where Paddy Hopkirk will receive a plaque from the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir. In 1964 Paddy was given the Keys of the City but didn’t receive an official commemorative plaque and so Belfast City Council is making up for lost time……just 50 years and one month later.

Paddy will then lead the field to the Titanic Quarter where the 200 odd cars in the cavalcade will be lined up on the Titanic Slipway for spectator viewing.

At 1.30pm there will be an autograph session in the Paddy Hopkirk Gala Marquee at the Titanic Quarter. Motor sport enthusiasts will be able to collect the autographs of Paddy, Kris and Paul, Ari Vatanen, Terry Harryman, John Watson and Rosemary Smith.
Entrance is free but a small donation for our charities would be gratefully accepted.

Autotest Details

Posted: February 12, 2014 6:57 PM

The cream of autotest drivers in Ireland, North and South, will compete head to head during the Paddy Hopkirk Gala Invitational Autotests at the Titanic Quarter on the afternoon of Feb 22nd.

The ‘Kings’ of the handbrake turn will try to outdo one another over two intricate mirror image tests laid out immediately to the rear of Titanic Belfast.

The former ‘Kings’ such as John Lyons who won the British Autotest Championship when only 20, will first give demonstration runs to prove to the present ’Kings ‘ such as Sam Bowden from Cookstown that they still can show the youngsters a thing or two about car control. Sam is a regular on Top Gear and although you may never see his face you can rest assured that he is behind the wheel of many of the tricks you will see performed on the world famous TV show.

Paddy Hopkirk honed his driving skills during his formative rally years and attributes much of his later success to the lessons learned on car control during the stonewalled crossroads tests which were prevalent in the 50s and 60s.

Admission is free but our charities would gratefully accept donations.

All proceeds go to our worthy charities, the Integrated Education Fund for Northern Ireland, and SKIDZ, Paddy’s charity, which develops motor skills in young people who experience difficulties in traditional educational settings.

PADDY HOPKIRK INVITATION AUTOTEST ENTRY LIST

Posted: February 12, 2014 2:23 PM

LEGENDS
R1 Simon Brien (MG Midget)
R2 Eamonn Byrne (Cooper S)
R3 Derek Coates (MG Midget)
R4 Noel Cochrane (Midget)
R5 Robert Dickson (Cooper S)
R6 Colin Earney (Mini 1275 GT)
R7 Norman Ferguson (Cooper S)
R8 Harold Hassard (Nissan)
R9 Ken Irwin (Mini 1275 GT)
R10 John Keatley (Hayrake)
R11 Frank Lenehan (Cooper S)
R12 John Lyons (Cooper S)
R13 George McMillan (Spyder)
R14 Milton McWilliams (Mini )
R15 Ron Mullen (Nissan)
R16 Eric Patterson (Riley Elf)
R17 Hill Scott (VW Buggy)
R18 Robert Woodside Jnr (Sprite)
R19 Mervyn Williamson (VW Beetle)

EXPERTS
1 Paul Blair (Westfield)
2 Sam Bowden (Mini Special)
3 Daniel Byrne (Mini Saloon)
4 Eamonn Byrne (Mini Saloon)
5 Tom Devaney (Westfield)
6 Gareth Dillon (Westfield)
7 Raymond Donaldson (Nova)
8 Simon Echlin (Westfield)
9 Peter Falvey (Mini Special)
10 Steven Ferguson (Mini Special)
11 Trevor Ferguson (Stryker)
12 Norman Ferguson (Mini Saloon)
13 Guy Foster (Mini Special)
14 Peter Grimes (Mini Saloon)
15 Chris Grimes (Mini Saloon)
16 Mark King (Nova)
17 Geoff Lamont (Nova)
18 Ashley Lamont (Westfield)
19 Robin Lyons (Mini Saloon)
20 Gilmore Magee (Westfield)
21 Jonni McDaid (Mini Saloon)
22 Tommi McDaid (Mini Saloon)
23 Jamie McMillan (Nova)
24 George McMillan (Nova)
25 Paul Mooney (Nova)
26 Eddie Petersen (Westfield)
27 David Thompson (Nova)
28 Michael Workman (Westfield)

List of First 40 cars in the Paddy Hopkirk Gala Cavalcade

Posted: February 7, 2014 3:10 PM

Below find the first 40 cars which will take place in the Paddy Hopkirk Gala Cavalcade which will start from Stormont at 10.30am on Saturday Feb 22nd.
Approximately 200 cars will participate

Paddy Hopkirk Gala Cavalcade

Posted: February 1, 2014 4:18 PM

"Any MINI, be it from the 60s or February 2014, is eligible as well as Cars which were rallied during Paddy's rally career. VWs, Sunbeam Rapiers, TR2s, etc etc.

Please spread the news to all those you know with MINIs or cars you you think might be eligible It's only £20.00 to enter and that goes to our charities.

We have been given permission by the police to close off Donegal Place so that we can park in front of the City Hall. Won't it be quite a sight to see it filled with MINIs rather than flagging protestors.

Let's show the world the Better Belfast. "

Dr. Beatty Crawford

Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Paddy Hopkirk Gala Programme of Events

Posted: February 1, 2014 4:14 PM

The Hopkirk/Shawcross Art MINI Auction

Posted: February 1, 2014 3:52 PM

Paddy Hopkirk Gala to be held on Saturday 22nd February 2014 at the Titanic Belfast

The Hopkirk Shawcross Golden Anniversary Art MINI will be put up for auction during the Gala Banquet in the Titanic Belfast on Feb 22nd. Attendees will be able to bid in person with bidding also available remotely through the Wilsons Auctions ‘Livebid’ system.

The Paddy Hopkirk Gala will be sponsored by John Mulholland Motors

Posted: January 20, 2014 9:46 PM

We are proud to announce sponsorship of The Paddy Hopkirk Gala, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Paddy’s stunning victory in the Monte Carlo Rally, one of the world’s most iconic motorsport events.

During the Gala there will be the charity auction of the Shawcross Art Mini with its unique JAZZ unique scheme, created by renowned local artist Neil Shawcross. At the press launch on Monday Paddy and Neil will add their personal signatures to the Art car in preparation for the auction, proceeds of which will benefit two local charities, The Integrated Education Fund for Northern Ireland and SKIDZ.

Also on display will be the stunning Rothmans Porsche 911 which Billy Coleman drove back in the mid 1980s and also John’s amazing works 1979 Ford Fiesta Group 2. This is the actual car which was driven to 4th place on the 1979 Monte Carlo, by none other than former world champion Ari Vatanen – who will be in attendance at the Gala in February.

Other celebrities who are confirmed to appear at the Gala include, ex F1 star John Watson, rally legend Jimmy McRae, possibly current WRC star Kris Meeke, Rosemary Smith, TV presenter Jason Barlow, Adrian Boyd and Cathal Curley.

The Paddy Hopkirk Trophy Autotest will be sponsored by Northern Ireland Plastics.

Posted: January 20, 2014 9:41 PM

We are delighted that Northern Ireland Plastics is sponsoring the Paddy Hopkirk Gala Autotests which will take place on February 22nd at 1.30pm at the Titanic Slipway. The cream of Irish drivers will compete in the invitational tandem, mirror image, knock out sudden test competition. Those fighting for the trophy include drivers who perform those amazing feats of extreme car control seen on TOP Gear.

Northern Ireland Plastics Ltd. is based in Killyleagh near Downpatrick and employs 50 people. It is one of Europe's longest established plastics extrusion companies. Incorporated in 1979 the company has built up a strong portfolio of products across a diverse range of industries. Using specialised extrusion machinery the company manufactures a wide range of products based upon "Twinwall Polypropylene Sheet" using the registered name "CORRIBOARD". NIP exports its product around the world with customers in mainland China, South Africa and mainland Europe.

Dermott Simpson, Managing Director, is a keen follower of motorsport.
“We are very pleased to be able to support this imaginative and exciting event to celebrate 50 years since Paddy won the Monte Carlo Rally. I am a life-long supporter of motor rallying and started out in Autotests many years ago. It is a cheap and competitive way to develop good car control and is a perfect route to get onto the wider motorsport ladder. This event will showcase some of the important historic Autotest cars and their drivers - some of whom originally competed against Paddy - as well as a knockout event for current auto-testers and their cars. I am very much looking forward to the two competitions and I am delighted that Northern Ireland Plastics is able to help make the event possible.”

F1 star John Watson to attend the PHG

Posted: January 15, 2014 3:55 PM

John Watson who finished second in 1982 Formula One World Championship in a McLaren, just 5 points behind Keke Rosberg, will be joining a galaxy of motorsport stars which will include Paddy, Ari Vatanen, Jimmy McRae, Rosemary Smith, Jason Barlow, Adrian Boyd and Cathal Curley during the Paddy Hopkirk Gala.
This will take place on February 22nd at the Titanic Belfast.

PHG Televised/Cavalcade Entries.

Posted: January 15, 2014 12:48 PM

"The entire Paddy Hopkirk Gala will be televised for Ulster Television and other TV channels by Alan Tyndall and his crew at RPM Media. This includes the Gala Dinner, the auto test and the Cavalcade.

Please note the closing date for entry in the Cavalcade is January 31st. We cannot accept walk ins at Stormont.
This is because MINI UK and Minisport have kindly agreed to supply goodies which we will be handing out at the start and we need to know the numbers in advance.

We have entries from as far afield as the Czech Republic, Jersey, Mallorca, USA and many from England and Ireland.

If you wish to join in the fun please go to our web site and download the entry form.
We will accept any type of Mini, young or old, as well as cars that were rallied during Paddy's active career which was from the 50's through to the 80s."

Paddy Hopkirk Gala

The Paddy Hopkirk Gala Mini Cavalcade

Posted: November 14, 2013 12:03 PM

Entries are rolling in for the Paddy Hopkirk Gala Mini Cavalcade which will start from Stormont on the morning of Saturday February 22nd, 2014. Paddy will lead the procession in a replica of his Monte Carlo Rally winning Mini Cooper at 10.00am and will first visit Belfast City Hall where he will be welcomed by the Lord Mayor. Paddy received the Freedom of the city in 1964 after his momentous victory which paved the way for the huge success of the MINI. The cavalcade will then proceed to the Titanic Quarter where the MINIs will on display on the Titanic slipway.

Other giants of motorsport who will take part include Jimmy McRae, seven times winner of the Circuit of Ireland and many times British Rally Champion and Ari Vatanen from Finland, the 1981 World Rally Champion who won the 1985 Monte Carlo Rally with Terry Harryman from Bangor. Ladies will be represented by Rosemary Smith from Dublin who was for many years the leading woman rally driver in the world. She won the 1955 Tulip Rally outrightt in a Hillman Imp. Formula One racing will be represented by another Belfast man John Watson. John finished joint 2nd in the 1982 F1 championship while driving for McLaren.

Entries have been received from as far afield as the Czech Republic and Jersey as well as from England and the Republic of Ireland.

Entries are limited because of traffic control. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Paddy Hopkirk Gala web site

Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Jimmy McRae joins The Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Posted: October 30, 2013 8:52 AM

Jimmy McRae, seven times winner of the Circuit of Ireland International Rally will join a host of motorsport celebrities to honour Paddy Hopkirk on February 22nd, 2014 at the Titanic Belfast.

Jimmy is the only person to have beaten Paddy's previous record of five wins on the Circuit.

75% of the tickets sold for Gala Dinner

Posted: September 13, 2013 11:00 AM

See details at:

Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Win the Art Mini

Posted: September 12, 2013 11:00 AM

See details:

Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Paddy Hopkirk Gala Dinner Reservation

Posted: September 4, 2013 9:18 AM

Now available (First come first served!)

Details:

Paddy Hopkirk Gala

ART CAR UNVEILED AT DONNELLY GROUP SHOWROOM

Posted: September 4, 2013 9:11 AM

An art car, painted by Northern Ireland artist Neil Shawcross, has been unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, in a Belfast showroom of Northern Ireland’s largest independent new and used vehicle retailer, the Donnelly Group.

The workshop of the Donnelly Group’s Honda showroom on the Boucher Road in Belfast has, for the past week, acted as a live art studio in which customers and members of the public have been able to watch the renowned artist transform the classic MINI vehicle into a work of art.

The classic MINI, finished in Neil’s signature style, was donated by Terence Donnelly, Director of the Donnelly Group, and is to be raffled ahead of a Gala event in February celebrating the 50th anniversary of Belfast native Paddy Hopkirk’s Monte Carlo Rally victory.

Raymond Donnelly, Sales Director at the Donnelly Group which has a total of 7 sites and 18 manufacturers across Northern Ireland, said:

“Paddy Hopkirk is a motorsport hero who is renowned in rally circles across the world and we are delighted to play a part in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Paddy’s Monte Carlo victory.

“The MINI that was donated by my brother Terence on behalf of the Donnelly Group is actually very similar to the vehicle in which drove Paddy to his Monte Carlo victory in 1964 with Henry Liddon.

“It was a pleasure having Neil Shawcross in our Honda showroom this week and our customers certainly enjoying watching the transformation of the MINI.

“This is an entirely unique piece that can only be acquired through purchasing a raffle ticket and I look forward to seeing the winner receive the vehicle at the Gala event in February.”

The 50th Anniversary Gala Event will take place in Titanic Belfast on 22nd February 2014 where the vehicle will be raffled with proceeds being donated to the Integrated Education Fund for Northern Ireland and SKIDZ.

Dr. Beatty Crawford, Chairman of the Paddy Hopkirk Golden Anniversary Gala Committee, said:

“The donation of the MINI by Terence and the Donnelly Group is enormously kind. The finished art MINI looks fantastic and I have no doubt it will be in high demand. Neil has done an amazing job and I’m extremely grateful to him for supporting us.

“The anniversary celebrations will kick off with a MINI cavalcade on Saturday morning February 22nd, led by Paddy Hopkirk himself. This will start from The Assembly Buildings at Stormont and will first visit Belfast City Hall to be welcomed by The Lord Mayor. They will then continue to the Titanic Quarter where there will be a knockout autotest competition.

“To be in with a chance of winning the art MINI one must purchase a raffle ticket. These will be available on line at www.paddyhopkirkgala.com where one can also register to take part in the MINI Cavalcade and the Gala Dinner which will be held in Titanic Belfast.”

For further information about the Gala Event or to purchase tickets, please visit:

Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Paddy Hopkirk Gala Cavalcade Registration Open

Posted: September 4, 2013 9:09 AM

Registration is now open for the Cavalcade which will take place on the morning of February 22, 2014 from Stormont to The Titanic Quarter via Belfast City Hall.

"I know that this is very early but we have to notify the police and local authorities of the anticipated numbers well in advance so that we can close roads etc. to ensure smooth running of the Cavalcade", said Dr. Beatty Crawford.

Although Paddy's name is synonymous with MINI, he drove many other makes such as VW, Sunbeam, Hillman, MG, Standard, AH Sprite, Riley, Triumph and Citroen. All of these are welcome as are ex works rally cars.

More Details:

Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Sponsor Required

Posted: September 4, 2013 9:07 AM

Full Details at:

Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Poster / Details

Posted: August 5, 2013 2:46 PM

Update on the Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Posted: August 5, 2013 2:42 PM

Plans are proceeding well for the 50th anniversary of Paddy's famous victory. I was following the progress of Kris Meeke, Keith Cronin, Alistair Fisher and Robert Barrable during the Finnish Rally last week and it was a pointed reminder of just how difficult it is to win a major WRC rally. And don't forget there were over 200 competitors competing in the Monte when Paddy and Henry Liddon won.

Kris and the other Irish contingent drove brilliantly and all Irish rally enthusiasts were bitterly disappointed when Kris went off on the penultimate stage......but that's rallying as each and every one of us who has sat in a rally car knows only too well.

To get back to the PHG. There are three parts to it:

Mini Cavalcade from Stormont to the Titanic Quarter via Belfast City Hall. Everyone is welcome to participate.
We will be sending out registration forms for this in the near future.

Invitational tandem knock out Autotest at the Titanic Quarter. As you know Paddy honed his skills on driving tests and we will be inviting the best drivers from all over the UK and Ireland to take part. We will also have an autograph session with the many famous celebrities who will be joining us to help Paddy celebrate.

Gala dinner with top class entertainment. Tickets will be £100.00 and a table of 10 will be £1000.00.
Tickets will go on sale in the autumn and we expect to sell out at an early date.

Rosemary Smith will attend The Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Posted: August 5, 2013 2:40 PM

Rosemary came from a motoring family and her father taught her how to drive when she was no older than 11 years of age. She initially trained as a dress designer in her native Dublin

She entered her first rally as a navigator but soon switched to driving in a Triumph Herald in club rallies and driving tests. She changed to a Mini in competing in more club rallies and in the Circuit of Ireland Rally with Delcine Bigger as co-driver

She soon came to the attention of the Rootes Group's Competition Department who offered her a works drive. In 1964 Smith took the ladies prize on the Circuit of Ireland Rally driving a Sunbeam Rapier and in 1965 she won the Tulip Rally in Holland outright in a Hillman Imp.

Smith was controversially disqualified from the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally, after winning the Coupe des Dames, the ladies class. In all ten cars were disqualified.

She had phenomenal stamina and this proved to be extremely useful in Marathon events. She entered the famous London-Sydney World Cup Rally in a Lotus Cortina. A misfiring cylinder sapped the power of the Ford which meant that she could only summon enough revs to get up the Khyber Pass in reverse. Angry locals made off with the oil supplies when they found out that neither Rosemary or her co-driver was carrying any jewellery. They were the first female finishers.

In the 1970 World Cup Rally from London to Mexico she drove an Austin Maxi to tenth overall and won her class.

Other competition successes included an outright win in the 1969 Cork 20 Rally and the ladies' prize several times on the Scottish Rally and on the Circuit of Ireland Rally, twice each on the Alpine Rally and on the Canadian Shell 4000 and once on the Acropolis Rally. She also has numerous class wins to her name.

Rosemary now runs an organisation in Dublin which promotes road safety and good driving practice to Irish teenagers.

Former Top Gear presenter to compere the Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Posted: July 23, 2013 11:38 AM

We are delighted that Jason Barlow, a leading motoring journalist in the UK, has agreed to compere the Paddy Hopkirk Gala to be held in the Titanic Belfast on February 22, 2014.

Jason, who is originally from Bangor in Northern Ireland, probably knows Paddy better than most since he spent two weeks with Paddy in a MINI during the making of the TV documentary "From Minsk to Monte Carlo" ten years ago. They retraced the route that Paddy and Henry Liddon took on their way to winning the Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini Cooper in 1964.

Cahal Curley joins the Paddy Hopkirk Gala team

Posted: July 5, 2013 11:48 AM

We are delighted that Cahal (C B) Curley, one of Ireland’s foremost rally drivers in the 70s, has joined the organising committee for the Paddy Hopkirk Gala.

Cahal and co-driver Austin Frazer won the Circuit of Ireland International Rally in 1974 in a Porsche Carrera. They also won the Isle of Man International Rally in the same year. Cahal has an enviable record in the Donegal International Rally, He won the inaugural event in 1972 with Austin and repeated this success in ’73 and ’74 with co-driver Terry Harryman.

Cahal has also won the Ulster Rally, the Cork 20 and the Circuit of Galway International Rally.

He was also very much involved with greyhound racing and was the Northern Ireland representative on the Irish Greyhound Board. He was also Chairman of both Shelbourne Park and Harold’s Cross tracks.

He is Managing Director of CB Motors and also of The Furniture Factory, both in Derry.

Ari Vatanen plans to attend the Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Posted: June 16, 2013 8:52 AM

Ari Vatanen, folk hero to rally followers in Ireland, plans to attend the Paddy Hopkirk Gala to honour Paddy.

Ari won the World Rally Championship drivers' title in 1981 and the Paris Dakar Rally four times.

Paddy Hopkirk Gala Website

Posted: May 3, 2013 11:12 AM

Paddy Hopkirk Gala

Date Change to Saturday 22nd February 2014

Posted: April 23, 2013 8:33 PM

Date Change to Saturday 22nd February 2014

Paddy Hopkirk Gala on Twitter and Facebook

Posted: March 22, 2013 8:24 PM

Twitter: @paddyhopkirk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PaddyHopkirkGala

Wanted: 8mm film of Paddy Hopkirk competing

Posted: July 27, 2012 12:02 PM

The organisers of the Golden Jubilee celebration of Paddy Hopkirk’s Monte Carlo victory would like to obtain 8mm film of Paddy competing in his early day in order to make a documentary.

Please contact:

dbeatty5@hotmail.com

Poster

Posted: July 27, 2012 12:01 PM

Paddy Hopkirk Gala