Jean-Pierre Dernoeden, who oversaw timing for the early Paris–Dakar Rallies and other TSO-organized races, has passed away. His service is planned for Thursday at Crématorium La Rochelle La Rochelle 1 Rue de la Bergerie.

A Boeing 747 pilot by trade and alumnus of École Centrale de Marseille, Dernoeden was hired by Thierry Sabine to oversee competitor times at his organization’s races like Dakar and the Enduropale du Touquet. He worked his first Dakar in 1982.

The role required Dernoeden to sit at either the start or finish of a Selective Section. The latter was reserved for more reliable individuals since they had to keep track of every approaching racer’s final time, which was obviously more of a challenge prior to electronic scoring. Sabine would often drop Dernoeden off at the ASS with a flag—checkered on one side, the French tricolor on the other—that would signal to finishers that they reached the end of the special.

He also oversaw non-TSO events such as the Raid Gauloises and René Metge’s Harricana snowmobile raid.

“The Dakar spirit was built by people like you Jean-Pierre, people of character, courage, determination, and respect,” said 1985 Dakar competitor Volker Capito. “Today, we say goodbye with sadness, but also with gratitude. Gratitude for the example you set, for the stories you helped create, and for the trust and respect you earned from everyone who crossed your path along the events.”