Matra-Simca MS660
The Matra-Simca MS660 is a Group 6 prototype race car introduced in 1969 for the International Championship for Makes. The MS660 replaced the previous Matra-Simca MS650.[2]
| Category | Group 6 Prototype | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Matra | ||||||||
| Designer(s) | Bernard Boyer | ||||||||
| Predecessor | MS650 | ||||||||
| Successor | MS670 | ||||||||
| Technical specifications[1] | |||||||||
| Chassis | Glass-fibre reinforced plastic panels | ||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Double wishbones, coil springs over dampers | ||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Double wishbones, coil springs over dampers | ||||||||
| Length | 3,900 mm (153.5 in) | ||||||||
| Width | 1,900 mm (74.8 in) | ||||||||
| Height | 760 mm (29.9 in) | ||||||||
| Axle track | Front: 1,500 mm (59.1 in) Rear: 1,500 mm (59.1 in) | ||||||||
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm (102.4 in) | ||||||||
| Engine | Matra MS12, 2,999 cc (183.0 cu in), 60º V12, NA, Longitudinal, mid-mounted | ||||||||
| Transmission | Matra 5-speed manual | ||||||||
| Weight | 700 kg (1,543.2 lb) | ||||||||
| Fuel | Lucas | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Equipe Matra Elf Matra Sports Equipe Matra-Simca | ||||||||
| Notable drivers |  Jean-Pierre Beltoise Henri Pescarolo Jean-Pierre Jabouille  Chris Amon  David Hobbs | ||||||||
| Debut | 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans | ||||||||
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| Teams' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
Racing History
1970
The team entered three cars for the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Henri Pescarolo in the MS660, Jack Brabham/Francois Cevert and Patrick Depailler/Jean-Pierre Jabouille/Tim Schenken were both in the older Matra-Simca MS650 but all three cars retired with engine failure.
In the International Championship for Makes, Matra had scored four points, earning it fourth place in the championship, all the points were scored in the MS650.[3]
1971
The first race of the season was the 1971 1000 km Buenos Aires, Matra entered one car for Beltoise/Jabouille, the car retired after it ran out of fuel but Beltoise pushed the car back to the pits only for race leader Ignazio Giunti in his Ferrari ran into the back of the disabled MS660. Both cars were caught on fire and Giunti was killed. As a result of the accident, Beltoise's international racing licence was suspended for some time. The team didn't enter another race until the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Beltoise and Chris Amon but it retired with a fuel system failure.
In the International Championship for Makes, Matra had scored no points.[4]
1972
The team entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Jabouille and David Hobbs with an updated version of the MS660 known as the MS660C but it retired with a transmission issue. The car was replaced by the Matra-Simca MS670 from 1973.
In the International Championship for Makes, Matra had scored no points.[5]
Complete International Championship for Makes results
| Year | Entrants | Class | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Points | ICMP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Equipe Matra-Simca | Group 5 | DAY | SEB | BHC | MZA | TGA | SPA | NÜR | LMS | WGN | ORC | 4 | 4th | ||
| Jean-Pierre Beltoise |
35 | |||||||||||||||
| Henri Pescarolo |
35 | |||||||||||||||
| 1971 | Matra Sport | Group 5 | BAI | DAY | SEB | BHC | MZA | SPA | TGA | NÜR | LMS | WGN | ORC | 0 | - | |
| Jean-Pierre Beltoise |
19 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
| Jean-Pierre Jabouille |
19 | |||||||||||||||
| Chris Amon |
15 | |||||||||||||||
| 1972 | Equipe Matra-Simca Shell | Group 5 | BAI | DAY | SEB | BRH | MZA | SPA | TGA | NÜR | LMS | ORC | WGN | 20 | 7th | |
| Jean-Pierre Jabouille |
20 | |||||||||||||||
| David Hobbs |
20 | |||||||||||||||
References
- "Matra MS660". http://tech-racingcars.wikidot.comaccessdate=24 December 2016.
- "Matra Manufacturing & Services". Archived from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
- "1970 World Sportscar Championship".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "1971 World Sportscar Championship".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "1972 World Sportscar Championship".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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