Jean-Luc Therier

The two-time French Rally Champion was involved in a serious accident while leading the 1985 Paris-Dakar in a factory Group B Citroen Visa. Did he ever return to rallying (or racing, i think he did some circuit racing) after the accident. I have no info. on him after the accident in the '85 Dakar.

Thanks

I read last week that he is in a wheelchair now, living a quiet life, and that he doesn't want to be reminded of his rallying days anymore...
I can't guarantee it's the truth, but it's all I know.

There is a book written about his career and it is titled "Jean-Luc Therier 20 ans de Rallyes 1965-1985". This seems to indicate that his career ended with that accident. The income from this 1997 book seems to benefit Thérier.

On the subject of Paris-to-Dakar (or wherever they start from now) - I noticed in the results from this years event, a stage won by Miki Biasion (or, at least, M. Biasion - I assume it's the same person). He seemed to me to be a very, very talented driver, but withdrew from the sport -- a great loss to rallying, I'd say -- whilst at the top but after a relatively brief top-level career.
Does anyone know what he's been up to in recent years? Has he been competing regularly at a lower profile?

Miki Biasion has been involved on the Dakar event for quite some time now.
He used to do the event in a large truck for many years, until he got a works Mitsubishi Pajero seat for this years event.

Originally posted by 2F-001
On the subject of Paris-to-Dakar (or wherever they start from now) - I noticed in the results from this years event, a stage won by Miki Biasion (or, at least, M. Biasion - I assume it's the same person). He seemed to me to be a very, very talented driver, but withdrew from the sport -- a great loss to rallying, I'd say -- whilst at the top but after a relatively brief top-level career.
Does anyone know what he's been up to in recent years? Has he been competing regularly at a lower profile?

Those rally raids are his only competitive outings in recent years. He is selling Lancias in his native Bassano now.

Originally posted by racer69
The two-time French Rally Champion was involved in a serious accident while leading the 1985 Paris-Dakar in a factory Group B Citroen Visa. Did he ever return to rallying (or racing, i think he did some circuit racing) after the accident. I have no info. on him after the accident in the '85 Dakar.

Unfortunately, it seems there was some confusion over Citroen's insurance for the Paris-Dakar, and they denied it was a factory entry. So, Thérier got no compensation, despite on-going medical bills, and he lost a ten-year court case. He had to sell his Citroen dealership to pay legal fees. He is in a wheelchair and has some paralysis. (source: interview with Hugh Bishop.)

Jon

Sorry, nothing to add factually, but I felt moved to express my regret that Jean-Luc Therier is in this condition and disappointment that Citroen or their insurers could not take a more humane attitude. Therier was usually the best of the Alpine drivers (but they were all good).

Those cars generated enormous excitement in the early 70's and sounded fabulous with their flap valves in the exhaust system.

Originally posted by 2F-001
On the subject of Paris-to-Dakar (or wherever they start from now) - I noticed in the results from this years event, a stage won by Miki Biasion (or, at least, M. Biasion - I assume it's the same person). He seemed to me to be a very, very talented driver, but withdrew from the sport -- a great loss to rallying, I'd say -- whilst at the top but after a relatively brief top-level career.
Does anyone know what he's been up to in recent years? Has he been competing regularly at a lower profile?

I don't think you can say his top-level career was brief.

He first competed in a WRC event in 1980, was European Champion in 1983 and competed in World Rally Championship from 1984 to 1994.

He was champion in 1988 and 1989, finished second in 1987, fourth in 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993, fifth in 1986 and sixth in 1984 and 1994.

To finish in the top six in the World Rally Championship in ten years out of eleven marks him out as a special talent.

I find it intriguing that there could be confusion over whether the car was a factory entry or not. Of the brief report i have read of the 1985 Dakar, it mentions that the factory entries were from Porsche, Mitsubishi, Audi, Opel, Citroen and Lada, and in the video 'Challenge', covering the 84-86 Dakar's, it calls Therier's Citroen a factory car.

What actually happened with the accident?

In the Motoring News report of Therier's accident his car is called the works Citroen Visa.

As Ian, I am also sorry for the lack of support for Jean-Luc.

This wallpaper from a japanese site is fitting tribute, this time not in his Alpine but in a Porsche 911SC entered by Almeras fréres on the Monte Carlo Rally. Unsure about the exact year but circa 1980.

That's a Reinhard Klein photo from 1982: it's in his book "Rally Cars".

This is what Thérier said to Hugh Bishop about the insurance issue: "Although it was announced in the press before the event that we would be in an official car for the rally, Citroen have always denied it was an official entry and have refused to pay any compensation. It seems that someone inside Citroen at that time, either by mistake or to save money, had not insured me as a rally driver but simply as an employee. After 10 years of wrangling in the courts, they have finally come out on Citroen's side."

Clearly the court disagreed, so it would be interesting to see Citroen's or the court's opinion.

Thérier also said that while circumstances are not good, he is getting some help from old friends from the Alpine days.

Jon

Originally posted by Rainer Nyberg
As Ian, I am also sorry for the lack of support for Jean-Luc.

This wallpaper from a japanese site is fitting tribute, this time not in his Alpine but in a Porsche 911SC entered by Almeras fréres on the Monte Carlo Rally. Unsure about the exact year but circa 1980.

The picture is from 1982, Thérier / Vial finishing 3rd o/a.

Carles.