Sorry to have to start this new post but I realised that the racing story of the Matra Bagheera is rather unknown.
I hope to develop several chapter of it :
- The Mobil economic run
- The world rally championship (yes ! )
- Privaters
- Newcomers
Let me start with the world rally championshiop heritage.
Years ago, I published a summary of this on my web site :
http://www.matra-bagheera.com/Plan/Bagheera/Racing/racing.htmlSo, in 1976, 1977, 1978, a Bagheera was engaged in UK in the prestigious Lombard RAC Rally !
In 1977, they tried (and succeeded) to broke their car on the awfully difficult Acropolis rally
In 1978 and 1979, they went to Iceland for the 1000 tracks !
And in 1979 and 1980, to Portugal.
But who where they ?
Francis Chopy & Roland Therond
One was a racing journalist but I have to find back which one.
Roland has founded an oldtimer insurance group : Retroassur
What car did they used ?
At least 2 : A serie 1 and a Serie 2. Specially developed by Matra with thinner gauged chassis and plenty of cutting. (If I remember well there was no boot.
Some pictures :
See my web site : Ihave to realized that a Polish guy copied several pictures without understanding who is what, so beware.
What about their victory on 1978 french tour auto ?
Well I mighthave been overenthousiastic when I wrote this and ... several stupids copied my mystake.
Actually they finnished at the 11 position
They got a class victory only, running under the 1300 cc limit
... to be updated