Jean-Jacques Bénézet will not seek a new mandate at the head of Rallycross France

This is the end of a great and beautiful chapter for the rallycross Jean-Jacques Bénézet, president of the French Association of Rallycross Organizers (AFOR) – which notably manages the French rallycross championship – will not seek a new mandate at the head of the organization.

Former driver, then member of the Rallycross Commission at the FFSA since 1979 and President for nearly 15 years, the Aveyronnais will have allowed, during this entire period in the service of French Rallycross, the discipline to take on a new dimension, placing today the national championship as one of the references in Europe. Jean-Jacques Bénézet has decided not to stand for a new mandate, pointing out "certain differences with our Federation [which] push me not to stand again so as not to put AFOR in a bad position for future years."

His replacement at the head of French rallycross is already known: it is Francis Pottier, 62 years old and a member of AFOR for two years, who was elected this Saturday, February 1st, President of the French Association of Rallycross Organizers by the members of the steering committee for the next four years.

THANK YOU PRESIDENT!

Full press release available on the website 👉 https://t.co/ABhAIfw7QM#RallycrossFrance #Rallycross #FFSA pic.twitter.com/jtVKqCnIsN

— Rallycross France (@Rallycross_FR) February 1, 2025

"The time has come to take a step back. Since 1979, I have been committed to my passion, Rallycross, whether through AFOR or FFSA, and I am proud to have been able to try to give back to this discipline everything it has been able to offer me., reacted Jean-Jacques Bénézet, warmly honored by AFOR at the end of his mandate. I was lucky enough to meet people who shaped the course of my life, to experience emotionally charged moments, whether positive or negative, to fight battles that seemed essential to the success of Rallycross. In short, they were some great years and today I would like to thank all the people I met during these 46 years on the Rallycross circuits: my friends from AFOR and FFSA, the drivers, teams, volunteers, officials, partners but also and above all the fans who have always been there on the side of the circuits and who continue to make this sport popular and exciting.

"My character, my frankness and my convictions have not always pleased everyone - and it is impossible when you are President to satisfy everyone - but at the same time, I know that everything I have done, with my teams whom I thank infinitely, was in the interest of Rallycross, he added. I leave without the slightest bitterness and with the feeling of duty accomplished. I will do everything to put my successor and his teams in the best conditions so that this discipline continues to thrill you, the Rallycross enthusiasts.

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