6 replies to this topic

[island]

Hi!
Something I do not understand. 10 out of 10
in 1972. Enzo had Ickx/Redman, Merzario/Pace
and Reutemann/Schenken in 1973. But Les Bleues beat them fair and square. Did Matra
have ahp advantage and/or a better handling
car?
By the Way, was the sound of the "shrieking"
Matra V12 really that distinctive? Different
to a Ferrari or a DFV?

[Michael M]

Matra concentrated in 1972 on Le Mans only, Ferrari on the WSC (both achieved their goal). Matra then targeted the WSC in 1973, with financial budget which was more or less unlimited. Ferrari concentrated more on F1, and cutted prototype budget. Out of 8 312 PB chassis, 3 had been sold, and out of the remaining 5 mostly only 2 had been put into action. Additionally, Ferrari's organizer of the 1972 success, Peter Schetty, quitted.

Daytona: no works participation of Ferrari.
Sebring: cancelled
Vallelunga: strike in Italy, the Ferrari cars could only be finished at the trackside, resulting in poor road holding (no testing).
Brands Hatch: cancelled
Dijon: short and twisty Mickey-Mouse-track, no chance for Ferrari.
Monza: Ferrari won, but only due to technical problems at Matra.
Spa: Lap record and pole position for Ferrari, but both cars d.n.f. (transmission oil coolers). However, no success for Matra too (tyre problems).
Targa Florio: Matra stayed away, because they see no chance against Ferrari. However, tyre blow for Merzario in lap 1, followed by drive train failure in lap 3. Ickx collided with a rock, meaning end of the race. Also Alfa-Romeo had their problems, meaning victory for Porsche.
Nürburgring: Matra and Alfa retired early in the race, so the way was cleared for Ferrari.
Le Mans: 1st line on the grid for both Ferraris. After 8 hours total dominance by Ferrari, then engine failure of the Schenken/Reuteman car, same problem 7 hours later with Ickx/Redman. Matra won, but Merzario/Pace 2nd place - although initially they had played the role of the "hare" to chase the Matras.
Zeltweg: Win for Matra, Ferrari only 3 & 6 (?).
Buenos Aires: cancelled

Standings at this stage: Matra 104 points (6 counts), Ferrari 122 points (8 counts). However, only the best 7 results would be counted for the WSC, so who wins the last race at Watkins Glen, wins the WSC!
Early in the race collision between Ickx and Cevert, lap 92 brake problems at Merzario's Ferrari, and finally the out for Reutemann/Schenken in lap 188 due to fuel pump failure.

So beaten "fair and square" is correct, but not by Matra, but by the regulations and the fact that only best 7 results will count!

Btw, I sent you some Matra sound files by e-mail, decide yourseld!

[Dennis David]

Michael, Can you send me the sound files as well?

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Regards,

Dennis David
Grand Prix History

Life is racing, the rest is waiting

[Keir]

The Matra engines were tuned to run at LeMans
in 1972. In fact, Amon's F1 Matra ran an endurance engine at the '71 Questor GP.
Ferrari used slightly detuned F1 engines in their 312's, but the engines would not last 24 hours. In both team's cases, their success or relative lack thereof, depended on where the factory was spending it's time.
For the most part, Ferrari concentrated on F1, while Matra, from '72 on, with sports cars. Hence the difference.

As for the sound of Matra. It was never a shriek, but a beautiful "wail", the likes we shall never hear again in modern F1.
Everything else pales in comparison.

I would love to hear those sounds myself.
Even the recordings don't do Matra justice.

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"I Was Born Ready"

[Michael M]

Okay, guys, here it is: http://www.matrasport.dk/
Not only soundfiles, but also a lot of pictures and information.

[BRG]

I can remember lying in my tent at Le Mans (behind the main grandstand) and being able to hear the Matras all the way around La Sarthe, changing down for Mulsanne, Indianapolis and Arnage corners and so on. A wonderful sound (if not very sleep inducing!)

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BRG

"all the time, maximum attack"

[Ray Bell]

BRG - I think that would be a memory I'd love to have... hold that thought!

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Life and love are mixed with pain...