Hubert Auriol has died

Sad news on this Sunday, January 10. Hubert Auriol died at the age of 68, his entourage and the organization of the Dakar confirmed.

Nicknamed “The African”, Hubert Auriol was one of the great actors of the rally-raid and especially the Dakar (formerly known as Paris-Dakar). Born in Ethiopia in Addis Ababaa, the French driver has won the largest rally-raid in the world three times.

He scored his first two successes in 1981 and 1983 aboard a BMW motorcycle before winning a third in 1992, this time in a car (Mitsubishi).

Since his professional retirement, Hubert Auriol has always remained in the rally-raid environment. For nine years (1995-2004), he was director of the Dakar. He was also one of the organizers of “The Legend of Heroes” (a rally-raid linking Paris to Dakar with only Yamaha XT 500s) but also of the China Grand Rally.

Hubert Auriol was decorated with the National Order of Merit and the Legion of Honor in 1995.

The AUTOhebdo editorial team sends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Hubert Auriol.