Proving he is a chip off the old block, Patrick Hopkirk, son of rally legend Paddy Hopkirk, has followed in his father’s footsteps and recently passed his IAM RoadSmart advanced driving test more than once.
Patrick, 46, has passed his advanced driving test twice before – the first time age 19 in a Citroen 2CV, and again age 35. He decided he wanted to update his skills yet again some 11 years later. Paddy, winner of the 1964 Monte Carlo and 1967 Acropolis rallies, is also IAM RoadSmart mature driver ambassador.
Patrick said: “This is really a revision of what I had already learnt – it really is important to keep updating your driving skills. I rediscovered how important mirrors are, of reading the road ahead, assessing what I had and then acting on it.”
Patrick, who is a sales representative and drives more than 18,000 miles a year, added: “Really people should take the advanced test every five years.”
He was assessed by John Dowell from the South of London Advanced Motorists. John said: “Patrick has achieved a lot and is well up to the standard needed to be an advanced driver.”
Added Patrick: “John is a very professional teacher. He has helped me enjoy driving again.”
Paddy, who is a household name having taken part in races all over the world including the gruelling London-Sydney Marathon, Le Mans 24 Hours and Daytona, has taken the IAM RoadSmart advanced test twice, most recently in June 2016.
Just recently Paddy has been appointed President of the BRDC (British Racing Drivers’ Club) taking over from former Formula 1 driver Derek Warwick.
For more information about the advanced driver course, which costs £149, click here
