60 years since his first victory on the Circuit of Ireland, rally driver Paddy Hopkirk plans to celebrate by getting back behind the wheel during the 150 mile Titanic Déjà Vu Ulster.
Held between Friday, August 31 and Monday, September 1 in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support Titanic Déjà Vu Ulster relives many of the famous Texaco, Ulster and Circuit of Ireland rally stages held across County Antrim from the Fifties onward.
1958 saw Paddy’s first Circuit of Ireland victory; co-driven by Jack Scott, they crossed the line in a Triumph TR3. He and Jack won again in 1961 and 1962 driving a works Sunbeam Rapier.
Paddy established himself as one of the fastest Mini drivers in the world when he and Henry Liddon won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally.
During the Titanic Déjà Vu Ulster, Paddy will drive an exact replica of his famous Monte winning Mini, registered ’33 EJB’; the original is safely on display in the British Motor Museum in Gaydon and thought too precious to turn its wheels again in anger.
Further Circuit victories in BMC’s giant-killer followed in 1965 and 1967 with Terry Harryman on the pace notes; on the 1966 event, he and Paddy narrowly avoided disaster when their Mini rolled on the Lough Eske special stage.
Paddy isn’t the only famous rally driver signed on for Titanic Déjà Vu Ulster: former Lancia and Audi works rallyist Walter Röhrl will also be touring in a historic rally car.
Five time Circuit of Ireland winner Paddy Hopkirk will return to the stages which helped make his name during the Titanic Déjà Vu Ulster tour, held between Friday, August 31 and Monday, September 1.
For more info on how to attend see RPM Motorsport
