A newcomer to hillclimb racing, Jean-Pierre Coulbault lost his life during his first racing season when he crashed at the Neuvy-le-Roi hillclimb. The accident occurred on Sunday, 05 September 1976. Jean-Pierre Coulbault was 26-years-old and was driving a Fiat 128. Gravely injured, he was taken to Lys-Haut-Layon hospital, where he passed away two days later.

The race, which was organized by Asaco and by Écurie Tours Auto, was a round of the 1976 French Hillclimb Championship - Central-Western Zone. Winner was Pierre Maublanc in a March 752 - BMW.

R.I.P