Photo : - D.R.

In the opening festivity of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2012, the 40th anniversary of the first of three victories for Matra will be celebrated with a parade of three prototypes that will be entrusted to two famous "Matraciens" as well as a 'mystery guest' ...

On 11th June 1972, the Matra 670 #15 won the 24 Hours at the hands of Graham Hill and Henri Pescarolo. Two years later, in 1974 Pescarolo won again in a 670C with Gérard Larrousse. Four decades later, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest could not deprive the public of an event in honour of this epic story.

"We wanted to make a small gift to Henri Pescarolo", Fabrice Bourrigaud promised during the presentation ceremony of the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours. On Saturday, 16th June he will put on his race suit again to slip behind the wheel of a Matra. "And that's not all", the Marketing and Communications Director of the ACO continued:" There will be a second entrusted to Larrousse. As for Graham Hill, who is unfortunately no longer there, I leave a little suspense about the identity of the man who will honour him in a third Matra ... "

A year after the shrill sound of the quadrotor Mazda (video here), the spectators of the next 24 Hours of Le Mans will be treated to melodious tone of the Matra V12. Come an hear it on Saturday 16th June! Click HERE for ticket information.

Julien Hergault

Photo : Matra MS 670 C of 1974.