For the first time in almost a decade, spectators at Le Mans will be able to witness the thrilling and distinctive sound of the Mazda 787B’s rotary engine echo around the famous French Circuit as it appears at Le Mans Classic 2022. The last two opportunities to see the legendary vehicle in action at La Sarthe, being at the 90th anniversary of the 24 hours of Le Mans in 2013 and the 20th anniversary of Mazda’s victory at Le Mans in 2011.The Mazda 787B was due to run at Le Mans Classic last year to mark the 30th anniversary of its victory. Unfortunately, the event itself was postponed due to Covid-19, but now thanks to support from model car company Spark, the 787B will be demonstrated this year by 29-time competitor in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Yojiro Terada. Dubbed as “Mr Le Mans” in Japan, he will drive the Mazda 787B during demonstration laps* on the 1st and 2nd July.
The hugely popular Le Mans Classic event takes place every two years on the Circuit de la Sarthe and while the Mazda 787B will take part in demonstration runs, many of its in-period rivals will be in action in a pair of one-hour historic Group C races that form part of this year’s Le Mans Classic line-up. Still a period of sportscar racing loved by fans the world over, the Mazda 787B’s victory in 1991 was the pinnacle of Mazda’s three-decade involvement at Le Mans.
Over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd June 1991, the number 55 Mazda 787B covered 362 laps of the famous French circuit and over the course of its 28 pit stops the winning Mazda had received just one oil top up, a change of brake discs and pads, plus a nose change. Aside from that, the 700bhp four-rotor R26B powered 787B just required fuel and tyres as it faultlessly proved the reliability, efficiency and performance of Mazda’s unique rotary engine technology.
Sharing the winning car with British F1 star Herbert were fellow Formula One drivers Volker Weidler and Bertrand Gachot, and for this trio of young chargers it was a largely uneventful race. A strong start saw Weidler make places from the 787B’s 23rd place on the grid and by 6pm number 55 was into the top ten. By the halfway point of the race at 4am the Mazda’s pace and reliability meant it was running in third place, and with three hours to go, the Mazda was in second place when the leading Mercedes-Benz suffered engine troubles and retired.