Death of former French rally driver Jean-Luc Thérier

Paris (AFP)

The former French rally driver Jean-Luc Thérier, who was part of Jean-Pierre Nicolas, Bernard Darniche and Jean-Claude Andruet of the "Musketeers" of the discipline in the 1970s, died Wednesday at age 73, announced Western Automobile Club (ACO).

He had also competed four times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Alpine in 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1977 with the best result being a 10th place.

The "Musketeers", as the British specialized press of the time called them, had helped Alpine to win the international rally brand championship in 1971 and, in 1973, the first world rally for constructors' rallies (WRC) .

The World Drivers' Championship title was only awarded in 1977, but Thérier was unofficially crowned in 1973 after earning the highest number of points this year.

He notably participated 13 times in the Monte-Carlo rally between 1969 and 1984 with the best result being a second place in 1971.

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