Patrick Barron Hopkirk MBE (14 April 1933) was a Northern Irish rally driver. In the 2016 New Year's Honours list, he was awarded the MBE. Hopkirk was named IAM RoadSmart Mature Drivers Ambassador in early 2016.
He was born in Belfast, raised as a Catholic, and attended Clongowes Wood College in County Kildare from 1945 to 1949 before enrolling at Trinity College, Dublin, from 1949 to 1953. His dyslexia, however, hampered his academic career.
Hopkirk's first victory came in 1953 at the Cairncastle hillclimb, driving a V.W. Beetle with the registration number EI 5756.
Isaac Agnew of Belfast offered him a free Beetle for the 1953 Circuit of Ireland. It was the first of many Circuit entries for him: the following year, he led the Circuit on the first day of competition.
In 1967, he married Jennifer; they have three children, Katie, Patrick, and William, as well as six grandchildren, Molly, Jessica, Fenella, Amalia, Allegra, and Alexander. His wife served as Buckinghamshire's High Sheriff in 2005 and as Vice Lord Lieutenant from 2006 to 2011.
Paddy Hopkirk health: What illness did Paddy Hopkirk have?
Paddy Hopkirk had no illness.
