Jean-Luc Thérier
Jean-Luc Thérier (7 October 1945, Hodeng-au-Bosc – 31 July 2019, Neufchâtel-en-Bray) was a French rally driver. He was the highest scoring driver in the inaugural World Rally Championship in 1973 and the only one to win three events. However, until 1977 the championship was only formally contested by manufacturers, not individuals, so only Thérier's Alpine-Renault team were formally awarded the title.
Thérier in 2003 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | French |
| Born | 7 October 1945 Hodeng-au-Bosc |
| Died | 31 July 2019 (aged 73) Neufchâtel-en-Bray |
| World Rally Championship record | |
| Active years | 1973–1984 |
| Co-driver | Marcel Callewaert Jacques Jaubert Christian Delferier Alain Mahé Michel Vial Vincent Laverne |
| Teams | Alpine, Toyota, Porsche, Renault |
| Rallies | 46 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Rally wins | 5 |
| Podiums | 10 |
| Stage wins | 61 |
| Total points | 42 |
| First rally | 1973 Monte Carlo Rally |
| First win | 1973 Rallye de Portugal |
| Last win | 1980 Tour de Corse |
| Last rally | 1984 Monte Carlo Rally |
He most frequently competed in an Alpine Renault A110, winning the Rallye Sanremo and the Acropolis Rally in 1970. He won the same two events again in 1973, along with the 1973 Rallye de Portugal, during his annus memorabilis.
He also won the 1974 Press-on-Regardless Rally in the United States driving a Renault 17 Gordini, and the 1980 Tour de Corse behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 SC.
He participated in the Monte Carlo Rally 13 times between 1969 and 1984, with second place in 1971 as best result there. His career lasted until early 1985 when he suffered severe injuries while participating in the 1985 Paris to Dakar rally. He died on 31 July 2019 at the age of 73 after a long illness.