Bernard Darniche

Bernard Jean Darniche^[1] (born 28 March 1942 in Cenon, a commune in the Gironde department) is a French former rally driver. He won the European Rally Championship in 1976 and 1977 and the French Rally Championship in 1976 and 1978, each time behind the wheel of a Lancia Stratos HF. He also holds the record for most victories in the Tour de Corse which he won six times (1970, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1981), a feat later equalled by Didier Auriol.

Nationality French

Born (1942-03-28) 28 March 1942 (age 84)
Cenon

Active years1973–1987

Co-driver Alain Mahé

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Bernard Darniche

Personal information
Nationality	French
Born	(1942-03-28) 28 March 1942 (age 84) Cenon
World Rally Championship record
Active years	1973–1987
Co-driver	Alain Mahé
Teams	Alpine-Renault, Lancia, Audi
Rallies	38
Championships	0
Rally wins	7
Podiums	11
Stage wins	115
Total points	87
First rally	1973 Monte Carlo Rally
First win	1973 Rally of Morocco
Last win	1981 Tour de Corse
Last rally	1987 Tour de Corse

Close

He competed in the first World Rally Championships in 1973, winning the 16th Moroccan Rally and placing second in the 44th Alpine Rally, and was one of the top competitors for the remainder of the decade. He finished third in the inaugural FIA Cup for Rally Drivers in 1977, the first of three successive top ten finishes in the drivers' championship.

He also won the Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo in 1979, the event where he holds the record for most wins on the infamous Col de Turini stage, a 1,600 m Alpine mountain pass normally driven in darkness. The so-called "Night of the Long Knives" has seen Darniche victorious on ten occasions.