Matra et Alpine
01-28-2006, 06:48 PM
Matra Sports GT racing team returns and rolls out in Scotland.
Edinburgh/Scotland, 25th January 2006. The Matra Sports GT Team steps out onto the FIA GTR stage. Just after nine o'clock this Wednesday morning in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Matra 911 was unveiled before more than 500 journalists and guests in the grounds of Robert Burns' cottage - a fitting location on Scotland's famous "Burns day"/(CAC).
At 13.00 hrs the first car of the Matra Sports GT Team made its debut on the Knockhill Circuit.
Also ready to launch into the newly reformed team's maiden season in the FIA GTR Championship is Matra Sports Team driver Peter Locke (42). The team have produced three cars and future announcement are hoped from the team of new drivers.
On the eve of the official media presentation, the team's new look was already displayed during a major merchandising fashion show with Scottish celebrity Jackie Bird and followed by a Burns night party where traditional haggis, neeps and tatties were served and Burns poetry recited.
Test drives on the Knockhill circuit will continue up to and including 31st January, during which time the track is reserved for the exclusive use of the Matra Sports GTR Team. Between 23rd and 26th January the team will rub shoulders with the competition during testing.
Great team reformed
http://www.minichamps.com/images/430731112_N.jpg
Dawn was just breaking on 22nd June 2005 when it was confirmed that Matra would be forming a new team for a return to GT racing for the first time since 1975. A one season contract with Peter Locke was announced on 16th September and the team name was revealed on 14th November. The team are still actively recruiting a second and third driver and are offering sponsorship locations on rear wing and rear valance to future applicants.
Alongside this, the first test drives with an interim Porsche chassis and the Matra developed engine were launched on 28th November.
http://www.bad-boy.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/m1%20small.jpg
In his function as Matra Motorsport Director, Peter Locke also directs the Matra GTR Team as well as driving. In Knockhill he commented: "We have worked hard over the last seven months. We've driven forward the integration of the two locations, got an interim car up and running, signed up the drivers, concluded contracts with our major partners Gitanes, Elf, Matra Group, and Ecurie Ecosse, and negotiated 90 work contracts for new staff. That's not bad as an interim progress report. But we are not under any illusions: we have a long road ahead of us. 2006 is a year of transition, and so would be premature to declare any sporting objectives. The main thing is that everything is pointing in the right direction."
According to Locke, success can only be achieved with a fully integrated team and all-encompassing procedures: "In our first season we will mainly be gathering experience. In 2005, Team UCP came eighth in the Constructors' World Championship. That is our starting point. From there we aim to work our way up as quickly as possible. You can't do that overnight, needless to say. It requires patience and endurance. We have both." He goes on: "For the Matra Sport Group, FIA GTR acts as a high-tech lab and a technology accelerator. With its dynamism, premium image, sporting challenges and demand for technical innovations, GT racing chimes in perfectly with Matra's brand values - including driving pleasure. And there's no other sporting event that generates so much attention worldwide on such a regular basis."
The plans for expansion include boosting the workforce in Romarantin by more than 100 new staff, many of whom will be reinforcing the aerodynamics department. Locke: "The wind tunnel is outstanding and we want to run it on a multiple-shift basis as soon as possible." As for the expansion plans for new offices and development and production facilities, planning permission is expected in spring of 2006. In parallel with this, the networking of the two locations - Edinburgh (responsible for powertrain and electronics) and Romarantin (chassis and race deployment) - is being driven forward along with an intensive development programme for 2007. By the end of that year all these measures will be fully implemented.
"Setting up a new team is a very complex task," says Locke looking ahead to the 2006 race season. "I've been through it before. But I believe that the prerequisites that have come together here are good. I want to do my best to help the Matra Team achieve success."
New engine.
Revolution, not evolution was the watchword when it came to the GTR engines for the new season. The Porsche units of the past are being replaced by Matra tuned engines. This switch calls for totally new concepts. "The drivers, on the other hand, need to adapt their driving style. To put it simply, they will have to attack corners less sharply to get the most out of the power available."
The different firing sequences and intervals compared to the Porsche supplied engines have led to a completely new situation in terms of vibrations.
New car, reformed team, traditional colours
The team is running in the famous triple Le Mans winning blue with red, green and gold car indicator stripes. Along with this the Matra group logo is in red, white or blue for each car - reflecting the French national flag and the primary colours of Scotland. The "Auld Alliance" is repeated again with welcome return of Ecurie Ecosse as sponsors and driver support. The number one drivers carry proudly carries the Scottish Saltire on the rear panel.
Prospective drivers and sponsors
Locke indicated that the team were aggressive and expected to be fun and provide maximum return to sponsors and drivers. Matra were looking to actively recruit and offering the innovative option to new drivers to have their own sponsorship carried on the rear wing and valance.
Edinburgh/Scotland, 25th January 2006. The Matra Sports GT Team steps out onto the FIA GTR stage. Just after nine o'clock this Wednesday morning in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Matra 911 was unveiled before more than 500 journalists and guests in the grounds of Robert Burns' cottage - a fitting location on Scotland's famous "Burns day"/(CAC).
At 13.00 hrs the first car of the Matra Sports GT Team made its debut on the Knockhill Circuit.
Also ready to launch into the newly reformed team's maiden season in the FIA GTR Championship is Matra Sports Team driver Peter Locke (42). The team have produced three cars and future announcement are hoped from the team of new drivers.
On the eve of the official media presentation, the team's new look was already displayed during a major merchandising fashion show with Scottish celebrity Jackie Bird and followed by a Burns night party where traditional haggis, neeps and tatties were served and Burns poetry recited.
Test drives on the Knockhill circuit will continue up to and including 31st January, during which time the track is reserved for the exclusive use of the Matra Sports GTR Team. Between 23rd and 26th January the team will rub shoulders with the competition during testing.
Great team reformed
http://www.minichamps.com/images/430731112_N.jpg
Dawn was just breaking on 22nd June 2005 when it was confirmed that Matra would be forming a new team for a return to GT racing for the first time since 1975. A one season contract with Peter Locke was announced on 16th September and the team name was revealed on 14th November. The team are still actively recruiting a second and third driver and are offering sponsorship locations on rear wing and rear valance to future applicants.
Alongside this, the first test drives with an interim Porsche chassis and the Matra developed engine were launched on 28th November.
http://www.bad-boy.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/m1%20small.jpg
In his function as Matra Motorsport Director, Peter Locke also directs the Matra GTR Team as well as driving. In Knockhill he commented: "We have worked hard over the last seven months. We've driven forward the integration of the two locations, got an interim car up and running, signed up the drivers, concluded contracts with our major partners Gitanes, Elf, Matra Group, and Ecurie Ecosse, and negotiated 90 work contracts for new staff. That's not bad as an interim progress report. But we are not under any illusions: we have a long road ahead of us. 2006 is a year of transition, and so would be premature to declare any sporting objectives. The main thing is that everything is pointing in the right direction."
According to Locke, success can only be achieved with a fully integrated team and all-encompassing procedures: "In our first season we will mainly be gathering experience. In 2005, Team UCP came eighth in the Constructors' World Championship. That is our starting point. From there we aim to work our way up as quickly as possible. You can't do that overnight, needless to say. It requires patience and endurance. We have both." He goes on: "For the Matra Sport Group, FIA GTR acts as a high-tech lab and a technology accelerator. With its dynamism, premium image, sporting challenges and demand for technical innovations, GT racing chimes in perfectly with Matra's brand values - including driving pleasure. And there's no other sporting event that generates so much attention worldwide on such a regular basis."
The plans for expansion include boosting the workforce in Romarantin by more than 100 new staff, many of whom will be reinforcing the aerodynamics department. Locke: "The wind tunnel is outstanding and we want to run it on a multiple-shift basis as soon as possible." As for the expansion plans for new offices and development and production facilities, planning permission is expected in spring of 2006. In parallel with this, the networking of the two locations - Edinburgh (responsible for powertrain and electronics) and Romarantin (chassis and race deployment) - is being driven forward along with an intensive development programme for 2007. By the end of that year all these measures will be fully implemented.
"Setting up a new team is a very complex task," says Locke looking ahead to the 2006 race season. "I've been through it before. But I believe that the prerequisites that have come together here are good. I want to do my best to help the Matra Team achieve success."
New engine.
Revolution, not evolution was the watchword when it came to the GTR engines for the new season. The Porsche units of the past are being replaced by Matra tuned engines. This switch calls for totally new concepts. "The drivers, on the other hand, need to adapt their driving style. To put it simply, they will have to attack corners less sharply to get the most out of the power available."
The different firing sequences and intervals compared to the Porsche supplied engines have led to a completely new situation in terms of vibrations.
New car, reformed team, traditional colours
The team is running in the famous triple Le Mans winning blue with red, green and gold car indicator stripes. Along with this the Matra group logo is in red, white or blue for each car - reflecting the French national flag and the primary colours of Scotland. The "Auld Alliance" is repeated again with welcome return of Ecurie Ecosse as sponsors and driver support. The number one drivers carry proudly carries the Scottish Saltire on the rear panel.
Prospective drivers and sponsors
Locke indicated that the team were aggressive and expected to be fun and provide maximum return to sponsors and drivers. Matra were looking to actively recruit and offering the innovative option to new drivers to have their own sponsorship carried on the rear wing and valance.