Matra-Simca MS650 explained

Car Name:Matra-Simca MS650
Category:Group 6 Prototype
Constructor:Matra
Designer:Bernard Boyer
Predecessor:MS630 / MS640
Successor:MS660
Team:Equipe Matra - Elf
Matra of France
Matra Sports
Equipe Matra-Simca
Drivers: Jean-Pierre Beltoise
Pedro Rodriguez
Johnny Servoz-Gavin
Jack Brabham
François Cevert
Jean-Pierre Beltoise
Henri Pescarolo
Dan Gurney
Technical Ref:[1]
Chassis:Glass-fibre reinforced plastic panels
Front Suspension:Double wishbones, coil springs over dampers
Rear Suspension:Double wishbones, coil springs over dampers
Length:39001NaN1
Width:19001NaN1
Height:7601NaN1
Wheelbase:24401NaN1
Track:Front: 14401NaN1
Rear: 14901NaN1
Engine Name:Matra MS12,
Capacity:29931NaN1,
Turbo/Na:NA,
Configuration:60º V12,
Engine Position:Longitudinal, mid-mounted
Gearbox Name:Matra 5-speed manual
Weight:7401NaN1
Fuel:Lucas
Debut:1969 24 Hours of Le Mans
Races:8
Wins:0
Cons Champ:0
Teams Champ:0
Poles:0
Fastest Laps:0

The Matra-Simca MS650 is a Group 6 prototype race car introduced in 1969 for the International Championship for Makes. The MS650 replaced the previous Matra-Simca MS630.[2]

Racing History

1969

The car made its debut at the 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans with a four car entry. Jean-Pierre Beltoise/Piers Courage in the MS650, Jean Guichet/Nino Vaccarella in the MS630, Nanni Galli/Robin Widdows and Johnny Servoz-Gavin/Herbert Müller were both in the MS630/650. Beltoise/Courage finished fourth followed by Guichet/Vaccarella in fifth, Galli/Widdows seventh but Servoz-Gavin/Müller retired when an electrical circuit failed. For the 1969 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, Matra entered two cars for Servoz-Gavin/Pedro Rodriguez in the MS650 and Guichet/Widdows in the MS630/650. Servoz-Gavin/Rodriguez finished fourth and Guichet/Widdows retired with a broken clutch. For the final race of the 1969 season, the 1000km of Zeltweg, Matra only entered Servoz-Gavin/Rodriguez but the car retired through accident.

In the International Championship for Makes, Matra had scored six points, earning it fifth place in the championship.

1970

The first race of the season was the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona, Matra had two cars for Jack Brabham/François Cevert and Jean-Pierre Beltoise/Henri Pescarolo. Brabham/Cevert finished tenth and Beltoise/Pescarolo finished 18th. Matra made changes to the driver line ups for the 12 Hours of Sebring, Pescarolo/Servoz-Gavin and Cevert/Dan Gurney. Pescarolo/Servoz-Gavin finished fifth and Cevert/Gurney finish 12th. Matra again made changes to the driver line ups for the 1000km of Brands Hatch, The team put Brabham/Beltoise together but kept Pescarolo/Servoz-Gavin. Brabham/Beltoise finish 12th and Pescarolo/Servoz-Gavin retired with engine failure. The MNZ saw Brabham/Beltoise fifth followed by Pescarolo/Servoz-Gavin in sixth. The team skipped the next three races, the Targa Florio, 1000km of Spa-Francorchamps and 1000km of Nürburgring. The team entered three cars for the 24 Hours of Le Mans Beltoise/Pescarolo in the new Matra-Simca MS660, Brabham/Cevert and Patrick Depailler/Jean-Pierre Jabouille/Tim Schenken were both in the MS650 but all three cars retired with engine failure. The team skipped the final two race of the 1970 season, the Watkins Glen 6 Hours and Austrian 1000km.

In the International Championship for Makes, Matra had scored four points, earning it fourth place in the championship.

Complete International Championship for Makes results

YearEntrantClassDrivers12345678910Points
1969Equipe Matra - ElfGroup 5DAYSEBBHCMZATGASPANÜRLMSWGNORC65th
Jean-Pierre Beltoise4
Piers Courage4
Matra of France
Matra Sports
Pedro Rodriguez423
Johnny Servoz-Gavin423
1970Equipe Matra-SimcaGroup 5DAYSEBBHCMZATGASPANÜRLMSWGNORC44th
Jack Brabham1012536
François Cevert101236
Dan Gurney12
Jean-Pierre Beltoise18125
Henri Pescarolo185216
Johnny Servoz-Gavin5216
Patrick Depailler37
Jean-Pierre Jabouille37
Tim Schenken37

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Matra MS650. www.ultimatecarpage.com. 24 December 2016.
  2. Web site: Matra Manufacturing & Services.. 24 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161224030040/http://www.matra-ms.com/en/history/competition.html. 24 December 2016. dead.