In 1974, the endurance race at Imola went from 500 to 1000 km, and was incorporated in the World Championship of Makes, where that year a duel developed between Matra and Alfa Romeo. Pole position Matra 670 C Beltoise / Jarier was penalized for a jumped start, leaving the fight to the sister car of Pescarolo / Larrousse. After losing second position to the Alfa Romeo Arturo Merzario, the two Jean-Pierre and their Matra were recovering well after a clash with the Italian, but loss of a cylinder on their V12 meant retirement after thirteen laps due to engine failure, while Henri Pescarolo and Gérard Larrousse went on to win the race.

The French duo had a second consecutive victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans  two weeks later, which was also the third of Henri Pescarolo, who won with Graham Hill in 1972. Subsequently, Gerard Larrousse won the 24 Hours in 1978, and the great Henri in 1984 added a fourth Le Mans victory to his list with Klaus Ludwig (Porsche 956).

In the 6 Hours of Imola, the fourth round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and third round and 2011 Le Mans Series, Team Pescarolo Autovision attempt to once again be the best team in the Le Mans Series grid, as in Le Castellet and Spa -Francorchamps.

Jean-Philippe Doret

Photo: Paul Ricard HTTT in Le Castellet (France), April 3, 2011. Winners at Le Castellet, Emmanuel Collard, Julien Jousse (driving) and Christophe Tinseau will in the Pescarolo-Judd prototype at Imola.