PADDY HOPKIRKS 6EMO COMPETING ON THE RAC RALLY OF THE TESTS

[SMOKE GREY]

One of the worst kept secrets for a while! As the Orangebox is off the road being rebuilt, Chris Harper MD at MiniSport, asked me what my plans for 2016 were. As the RAC is backing the Rally of The Tests to recreate the title 'RAC RALLY' I said I would love to do it, but what car to use.

Well after spending time with Paddy and Chris, Paddy has given me the use of 6EMO! He was very impressed with my own efforts and it is fair to say we hit it off, and he was very keen to see the car get used. To say I am honoured and excited about it is to say the least the understatement of the year!! I only hope I can do it justice. Quite a lot of preparation is under way with me spending a lot of time with car, and also attending the official press day with the car and Paddy last Wednesday, being interviewed and giving rides to the press.

As well as Paddy and Alec Poole winning the Marathon it was also used twice by the legend that is the late Roger Clark and it also did the 1991 RAC Historic with Rauno Aaltonen at the wheel! A real piece of history. Its 53 years since Paddy did the RAC in 8EMO running at car 21,with Henry Liddon on the maps, the organizers have agreed to let us run at the same number in 6EMO and I have a navigator called Henry with me, Henry Carr, prepare for plenty of PR!!

I will try and keep this thread updated over the next few months.

http://blog.minisport.com/category/mini-sport-news/

[Pete]

Sounds great Steve, might see you in Chester in November then! Spent abit of time with Paddy at Prescott, had a good chit chat that came round to his WW2 experiences as a kid in Belfast. Watching him snigger like a schoolkid at the tediously drawn out driver's meeting before the demo runs (which never happened in the end) was funny! I was waiting for him to say 'do you know I won the Monte??!'

[Ronnie]

Well all I can say is THE VERY BEST OF LUCK!!

[billycooper]

Fab stuff Steve, what dreams are made of !, work commitments will keep me from watching, but im expecting big things from you !!

be nice to convince Paddy to have a "thrash" round Blyton next year in EMO !

[rich@minispares.com]

wow

that is a very decent offer from minisport

you cannot say fairer than that!

[almondgreen]

sounds great

[minitravellerman]

Best of luck Steve. What an honour to be offered EMO for the event.

[mk1]

That's brilliant news Steve!

Hats off to MiniSport who really deserve some Kudos in the historic Rally World for this.

I look forward to following your progress.

Mark F

[surfblue63]

Great stuff Steve.

I feel a trip down south is needed for the first week of November.

PS I know of a little one day event in October if you need a shakedown run

[pad4]

Dont break it this time !!

pad

[SMOKE GREY]

Thank you chaps for a nice response, feel like I have a lot of responsibility but at the same time I want to really enjoy the chance I have been given. I am no different than 99% of the people on here, Paddy Hopkirk is nothing short of a living legend, a hero of mine, and to hear him talk to the press about me is a real 'pinch yourself' moment.

The one thing I have learnt in the time that I have spent with him is his admiration for his fellow competitors, and he seems to play down his results! Monte, Alpine and multi Circuit of Ireland winner amongst many others, what a refreshing change from some people who have a 10 per cent of his ability yet talk the talk

[SMOKE GREY]

Car ready!!

[SMOKE GREY]

Some pics today of 6EMO , can't wait

[SMOKE GREY]

[SMOKE GREY]

[rich@minispares.com]

top billing!!

what a privilege!

[Ronnie]

I hope to see you in the Monti next in it.

[Ronnie]

Video > https://www.facebook.com/herorally

[Pete]

Goin well Steve! Give it some!

[GraemeC]

Has he borrowed it or stole it?