The Critérium des Cévennes lost its guide with the death of Alain Szafarczyk

Alain Szafarczyk avait repris les destinées de l'épreuve en 2016. DR

The organizer of the Cévennes event died this Thursday, January 4. He has been president of the criterium since 2016.

The year 2024 began with dark news for the world of French rallying with the death of Alain Szafarczyk, died at the age of 77 from an illness which had been affecting his health for several months. First driver and co-driver in the 60s/70s, then valuable coordinator of the Alméras team during the following decade, "Zaf" as we liked to call it, was at the same time involved in associative life from the creation of the Asa de l’Hérault, in charge of the organization of the Critérium des Cévennes.

Professor Emeritus

At the time of his retirement as professor emeritus at the Faculty of Sciences of Montpellier, he took over as President at the end of 2016, at a critical time when the famous Cévennes rally was relying on its survival against a backdrop of debt. A hard worker, leader of men and a methodical manager, he put all his energy into getting the Critérium des Cévennes back on track and giving it future prospects. A volunteer mission fully accomplished despite the extreme complexity of the task.

"Great enthusiast"

"We have just lost a great person, a great motorsport enthusiast who knew how to unite around him to restore the Critérium des Cévennes to its place among the most beautiful rallies French", reacted in particular the former champion Jean-Pierre Ballet, summing up a unanimous reaction.

Le Midi Libre joins in the grief of his family, his loved ones and the countless practitioners and volunteers saddened by his disappearance.