Jean-Pierre Champeau has died

Jean-Pierre Champeau died this Saturday, June 8. It was his grandson Matthieu Vaxiviere who announced the sad news on social networks. Limougeaud was overcome by a long illness. 

Pilote émérite du Championnat de France des rallyes Asphalte, Jean-Pierre Champeau a notamment participé aux épreuves nationales dans les années 1990 à bord de Subaru Impreza, Ford Escort RS Cosworth, ainsi qu’à sa déclinaison Terre avec une Toyota Corolla WRC and Peugeot 206 WRC in 2004 and 2005.

He also experienced the joys of circuit driving through the FFSA Super Series then the GT Tour at the turn of the 2010s. He even started his young grandson Matthieu Vaxiviere in GT3, aboard a Mercedes SLS AMG from the Graff Racing team, in 2012. 

However, Jean-Pierre Champeau became known mainly thanks to his role as patron of the nine-time world rally champion (WRC), Sébastien Loeb. The entrepreneur specializing in industrial framing agreed to sponsor the young Alsatian at the start of the 2000 season in the French Championship, when finances were sorely lacking for the future star. 

His son Mark Champeau was also a leader of French rallies, until an accident during reconnaissance of the Rally du Mont-Blanc came to mow him down in August 1999, at only 25 years old. 

Sébastien Loeb quickly reacted to the news.

“I will never forget everything you did for us. You have been a pillar, much more, in our success with Daniel (Elena). Rest in peace Jean-Pierre,” he commented on Twitter.

I will never forget everything you did for us. You have been a pillar, and much more, in our success with Daniel. Rest in peace Jean-Pierre pic.twitter.com/EENpu0x4lf

- Sébastien Loeb (@SebastienLoeb) 9th June 2019

All the editorial staffCARhebdo extends its sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Jean-Pierre Champeau.