PORTRAIT. Jean-Michel Matas, the “boss” of the Commissioners of the Automobile Club of Monaco, it’s him
A volunteer member of the Automobile Club of Monaco since 1972, like a certain Michel Boeri, Jean-Michel Matas is preparing to take part in a new edition of the mythical Rallye Monte-Carlo. Portrait of a monument.
He dives back into his memory box and pulls out a number. « 49, he says, with a smile. This is my 49th Monte-Carlo Rally. » Since 1972 and an edition marked by downpours, Jean-Michel Matas has taken part in all the Monte-Carlo, without exception, except for the 1974 edition, canceled following the oil shock of 1973 .
A visceral passion for rallying and motorsport
If rallying has always been the great passion of this lover of the Automobile Club of Monaco (ACM), he himself competed in regional rallies in his youth, it was during the Formula 1 Grand Prix that he lived its baptism of fire under the colors of the ACM. “I was commissioner at the exit of the S of the swimming pool, he recalls. I then rose through the ranks until I found myself Deputy Commissioner General in charge of the Corps of Commissioners. »
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A logical rise, as Jean-Michel Matas gave himself body and soul to the Automobile Club of Monaco. “He is a volunteer with a capital B, paid to his president, confides Alain Pallanca, race director of the Rallye Monte-Carlo and who owes his entry to the ACM in part to Jean-Michel Matas. She is a beautiful person, who has dedicated her life to others, notably by being present in several Monegasque charities. »
I would like to stop, I’m starting to get tired, but I still have the same passion. The flame is still there
Jean-Michel Matas
The two men had met almost forty years ago, in the professional context. Born in Bordeaux but arrived very young in Menton, the “boss” of the Commissioners of the ACM imitated his father, working within a syndicate of co-ownership. “An extraordinary job”, which allowed him to meet Alain Pallanca, his expert side in an insurance company.
An immense responsibility at the Automobile Club of Monaco
“One morning, I had a meeting in the village of Le Moulinet in order to be able to attend the day’s special which was passing by., now says the race director of the Monte-Carlo Rally and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. I met Jean-Michel there and wondered what he was doing there, because it was not his area. It is since that day that I returned to the Automobile Club of Monaco. »
Driven by motorsport from an early age, “Even before I got the license, I used to get on a moped to see the stages in the Turini”, Jean-Michel Matas went through all the emotions during his long career at the ACM. “I would like to stop, I’m starting to get tired, but I still have the same passion. The flame is still there. »
This year, electrical risks may be present with the new regulations for hybrid cars
Jean-Michel Matas
So when taking part in his 49th Monte-Carlo Rally, Jean-Michel Matas returned to this year’s novelties for the Marshals, he who is responsible for no less than 850 marshals during the Formula 1 Grand Prix. “This year, electrical risks may be present with the new regulations for hybrid cars. It was therefore necessary to insist on this training, with the support of the firefighters of Monaco, very specialized on this subject. »
As every year, the marshals who ensure safety on the roads of Monte-Carlo have validated a recall stage, in order to revise their ranges. “This makes it possible to find certain automatisms. » But also to federate the commissioners a little more among themselves. “There is a real esprit de corps between us. It’s not called that for nothing. All these volunteers do extraordinary things in each lesson. We must greet them. » Prime Minister Jean-Michel Matas.
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