René Metge, a three-time winner of the Paris Dakar rally and a regular racer in the 24 Hour races at both Le Mans and Spa has passed away at 82 years old.
Metge’s biggest successes came in the Paris-Dakar rally, an event where he took overall victory in 1981, 1984 and 1986 becoming the first double, and treble winner of the event in doing so.
He spent many years after his competitive career was done as part of the organising body for the Dakar and later established the Africa Eco Rally.
After a racing career that started in 1973, Metge was soon involved in endurance racing, his first entry in the Spa 24 Hours coming in 1975, a race which he contested 12 times with a best resut of 4th overall for BMW in 1986. Other Touring Car successes included an overall win in the RAC Touring Trophy event in 1983 alongside Steve Soper in a Rover SD1.
His Le Mans 24 Hours history started in 1977 and saw a total of 6 starts, all of them in Porsche machinery with a best result of 5th overall in 1982 in a Porsche 935 and another top 10 result in the first of two runs in the Porsche 959-based 961 in 1986, 7th overall, the 959 also providing the motive power for his third Dakar win in the same year.
ACO President Pierre Fillon marked the news of his passing:
“This year 2024 begins sadly with the death of René Metge, an emblematic driver who won the Paris-Dakar three times and participated in six editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I send my most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Le Mans and Spa pics courtesy and copyright Racingsportscars.com, Rene Metge picture copyright Africa Eco rally
