Matra MS620
Category | Group 6 | ||||||
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Constructor | Matra | ||||||
Predecessor | |||||||
Successor | Matra-Simca MS630 | ||||||
Technical specifications[1] | |||||||
Chassis | Tubular space frame | ||||||
Engine | BRM 1,915 cc (116.9 cu in) 16 valve, DOHC V8, naturally aspirated, mid engined Ford 289 cu in (4,736 cc) 16 valve, OHV V8, naturally aspirated | ||||||
Transmission | ZF 5DS 25 5-speed manual | ||||||
Tyres | Firestone | ||||||
Competition history | |||||||
Notable entrants | Matra-Sports | ||||||
Debut | |||||||
| |||||||
Teams' Championships | 0 | ||||||
Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||
Drivers' Championships | 0 |
The Matra MS620 (sometimes referred to as the M620) was a Group 6 sports prototype built by Matra in 1966, and was the second such car built by the company. Fitted with a 1.9 litre version of the BRM Formula One V8 engine, four cars were built, but were mostly used as developmental cars. In 1967, the MS620 was replaced by the 3 litre Matra MS630, although it was used in the Le Mans Test of that year, fitted with a 4.7 litre Ford V8 engine.
Racing history[]
In 1966, Matra decided to build their second sports prototype.[2] Designed to Group 6 regulations, the car was named the MS620, and featured a 1.9 litre version of the BRM Formula One V8 engine capable of producing 245 hp (183 kW; 248 PS) at 9,000 RPM.[1] Four cars were built, with a tubular steel chassis designed by Bernard Boyer, formerly of Alpine, and bodywork by French carrosserie Pichon-Parat.[3] The car made its first appearance at the Le Mans Test in April 1966,[4] setting the tenth fastest time in the hands of Jo Schlesser, Jean-Pierre Jaussaud and Johnny Servoz-Gavin.[5] The MS620 made its racing debut at the 1000 km of Monza, which was the third round of the World Sportscar Championship; Servoz-Gavin and Jassaud shared the sole MS620 present (a second entry, with Ernesto Brambilla earmarked to drive it, never materialized) but were not classified.[6] Matra's next entry came at the 1000 km of Spa, where Servoz-Gavin was joined by Alan Rees, but a fuel system issue prevented the pair from finishing the race.[7] Both drivers were entered for the 1000 km of Nürburgring, but did not race.[8]
For the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Matra entered three MS620s, with Jassaud and Henri Pescarolo in car #02, Schlesser and Rees in car #03, and Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Servoz-Gavin in car #04.[9] All three cars retired; car #02 with engine failure after 38 laps, car #03 after an accident after 100 laps, and car #01 after a gearbox failure on lap 112.[10] Matra then entered Beltoise at the non-championship event, where he finished in 17th and last place[11] following a battery failure after 11 laps.[1] Beltoise then drove an MS620 in another non-championship event at Magny-Cours, which he won.[12] Matra then attempted to enter Schlesser at the , but did not attend the event.[13] Instead, the car's next race came at the non-championship , where Servoz-Gavin took second place.[14] Beltoise next drove an MS620 in the , but he crashed during the event.[15] Matra finished the season by entering two cars in the 1000 km of Paris; Jassaud and Pescarolo in one, with Beltoise and Servoz-Gavin in the other.[16] Again, neither car finished, as the car of Beltoise and Servoz-Gavin crashed after 14 laps, and ignition problems forced Jaussaud and Pescarolo out on lap 43.[17] This would be the car's last race, although Jassaud and did set the eighth fastest time at the Le Mans Test in 1967, the BRM engine having been replaced by a 4.7 litre Ford V8 capable of producing 385 hp (287 kW; 390 PS) at 6,500 rpm. Weber died in an accident whilst driving the MS620's replacement, the Matra MS630.[18]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c McDonough, Ed (28 January 2010). Matra Sports Cars: MS620, 630, 650, 660 and 670 - 1966 to 1974 - WSC Giants. Veloce Publishing Ltd. ISBN 9781845842611.
- ^ "The Matra M620". Matra Sport Denmark. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ Pette, Benjamin (21 November 2017). "La Matra MS620, débuts discrets d'une folle aventure" [The Matra MS620, the modest start of a crazy adventure]. News d'Anciennes (in French).
- ^ "Matra M620 – All results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Le Mans Test 1966 – Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Monza 1000 Kilometres 1966 – Race Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Spa 1000 Kilometres 1966 – Race Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Nürburgring 1000 Kilometres 1966 – Race Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 1966 – Photo Gallery". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 1966 – Race Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Trophée d'Auvergne 1966 – Race Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Magny-Cours 1966-07-17 – Race Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "GP Hockenheim 1966 – Race Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Coupe de Paris [SP] 1966 – Race Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Coupes du Salon 1966 – Race Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Paris 1000 Kilometres 1966 – Photo Gallery". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Paris 1000 Kilometres 1966 – Race Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Le Mans Test 1967 – Results". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
Further reading[]
- McDonough, Ed (28 January 2010). Matra Sports Cars: MS620, 630, 650, 660 and 670 - 1966 to 1974 - WSC Giants. Veloce Publishing Ltd. ISBN 9781845842611.
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- Matra vehicles
- Sports prototypes
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- Mid-engined cars