René Metge

René Jean Metge (23 October 1941 – 3 January 2024) was a French professional rally driver. He won the Dakar Rally three times, in 1981, 1984 and 1986.

Career Metge began his career in international motor racing in 1973, starting in the Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup. He scored 28 points in the general classification there. In later years, Metge also appeared in the French Supertouring Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship, World Sportscar Championship, World Touring Car Championship, Porsche 944 Turbo Cup France, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Spa, and European Touring Car Championship.

Metge also competed in the Dakar Rally, which he won three times: in 1981, 1984 and 1986.

Personal life and death René Metge was born in Montrouge, German-occupied France on 23 October 1941. René Metge was Coluche's brother-in-law: they were friends as a teenager and he married Daniele, the older sister of him, with whom he started his family. . In 2003 René Metge competed in the Dakar Rally with their daughter Élodie Metge. He died on 3 January 2024 in Longjumeau, at the age of 82. He was buried in the communal cemetery in Saint-Urcize. .

Racing record

Paris-Dakar results

24 Hours of Le Mans results Year Team Car Co-Drivers Pos. Reason 1977 Anne-Charlotte Verney BP Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Anne-Charlotte Verney Dany Snobeck Hubert Striebig 18th 2nd in Group 5 1979 Anne-Charlotte Verney Porsche 934 Anne-Charlotte Verney Patrick Bardinon 19th 1982 Cooke Racing - BP Porsche 935 K3 François Sérvanin 5th 1984 GTi Engineering Porsche 956 Richard Lloyd Nick Mason DSQ unauthorized outside help 1986 Porsche AG Porsche 961 Claude Ballot-Léna 7th Class Winner in IMSA GTX 1987 Porsche AG Porsche 961 Claude Haldi Kees Nierop DNF AccidentSource

World Sportscar Championship results

Season Team Racecar 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1979 Anne-Charlotte VerneyElvia Porsche 934Triumph Dolomite 19 DNF 1981 J.M.S.R.T. BMW 530 DNF 1982 Cooke Racing Porsche 935 5 1984 GTi Engineering Porsche 956 DNF 1986 Porsche Porsche 961 7 1987 Porsche Porsche 961 DNF