Matra Racing DVD, The Rebirth
Many years ago I was drawn to the vibrancy of the Matra pit garage and listened to the song of the V12 engine—sans ear plugs. Today, my tinnitus is a constant reminder of the madness of my youth.
Produced by Big Picture Media Company Limited this new Duke DVD, Matra Racing—The Rebirth, plots the racing history of the French marque with interviews from some of those close to it in period—Sir Jackie Stewart, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Jean-Pierre Jabouille and Henri Pescarolo, with additional pieces by Damon and Josh Hill (son and grandson of Matra Le Mans victor Graham Hill), David Brabham (son of Sir Jack Brabham), Mauro Forghieri and Derek Bell. Added to the period history, the film moves forward to show how the beauty and success of the racing marque can still be enjoyed today—thanks in no small part to Abe Kogan, “Mr Matra,” as the film dubs him.
There has always been a distinct association between the aerospace and motor racing industries. Matra, or Mécanique Aviation TRAction, to give it its full title, came onto the racing scene in the mid-1960s and by the mid-1970s had taken the sport by storm, entering some 334 races in ten years with 124 victories. They also won the 1969 F1 Drivers and Constructors Championships, eight F2 Championships, three F3 Championships, two World Championships for Makes, and three victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Upon entering the motorsport world, Matra’s CEO, and the driving force behind the outfit, Jean-Luc Lagardère, stated he would dominate the sport within ten years. Unlike others who have made similar predictions, he delivered. Their excellence in aviation transferred impeccably to the race track, beating many established teams including Ferrari, Lotus and Porsche. Of course, Matra highlighted the careers of many young drivers, notably, Jackie Stewart, Henri Pescarolo, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Johnny Servoz-Gavin and François Cevert.
Unlike many DVDs tracing the history of a particular marque, this one differs by giving the viewer an insight to how some of the illustrious cars of yesteryear reappear on racing circuits today, the technology of how such cars can still be restored when the drawings and parts are no longer available.
Kogan introduces those involved behind the scenes of the restoration projects including Hall & Hall, Zul Racing, Nicholson McLaren and a handful of others. I’ve really enjoyed a nostalgic trip back to the days when French Blue ruled the racing world. However, there is one criticism that attention seems to dwell more on the present than the past, but, on the whole, a truly great DVD.
Run Time: 85 minutes. Price – Available for £16.99, free P&P Worldwide, from www.dukevideo.com
