1974

Gitanes-Matra team notches up another dominating sportscar win and clinches the sportscar championship at the Kyalami Nine Hours – which thanks to the fuel crisis is cut to six hours. Henri Pescarolo and Gérard Larrousse claim the ninth consecutive Matra win of the season, with team-mates, the two Jean-Pierres – Jarier and Beltoise in second.

Early tyre problems had delayed Pescarolo, but Beltoise, easing off in heavy rain, unknowingly let Larrousse narrow the gap (above), leading to a close finish.

However, Matra’s delight is clouded by Simca’s withdrawal, leaving the team’s future in the balance, amid rumours of an F1 collaboration for 1975.