Mazda 787B Le Mans Return After 20 Years

The year 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of Mazda's victory in the most difficult endurance race, Le Mans 24 hours. In 1991 Mazda was the first and only Japanese manufacturer to win the race.

Anniversary this year and at the invitation of the organizers, the Automobile Club de L'Ouest (ACO), Mazda will do a demonstration with the winning design, Mazda 787B, on the Sarthe circuit in Le Mans, France, Saturday, June 11, 2011, before 24-hour race.

The 79th race in Le Mans 24 Hour is scheduled to begin at 15:00 local time Saturday, June 11 and will end at the same time, the next day. 787B demonstration will start at 12:30 and will then take part in the Drivers' Parade held Friday, June 10 in downtown Le Mans.

Mazda 787B was the first and only Japanese model rotary engine that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Developed in conjunction with Mazda Mazdaspeed division, which managed the Mazda racing program, the model 787B is a chassis designed to meet the technical regulations of the Steering Group C and was powered by a four-rotor rotary engine that develops 700 hp. Due to a change in the rules of the race, was the last 1991 model equipped with a rotary engine he could participate in 24-hour race at Le Mans. After 17 years of effort, it was the only chance for Mazda to fulfill the desired objective, to win at Le Mans. Victory at Le Mans was a success not only famous for Mazda, but was the result of years long work of Mazdaspeed, the drivers and all the suppliers of those involved.

Takashi Yamanouchi, Representative Director, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Mazda said: "Mazda was founded based on a desire" not to us of the challenges never stop. " This spirit approaches Mazda Group employees around the world and inspires us to achieve our ambitious objectives that we propose. Exactly 50 years ago, Mazda began developing rotary engine. The process from beginning to win Le Mans in 199, until the current program is built on technologies SKYACTIV competitive spirit. Year 2011 will be another year for the entire Mazda group, when we entered the age SKYACTIV by introducing next-generation vehicles. "

Since 1991, the winning Mazda 787B Mazda was exhibited at the Museum of Hiroshima, Japan. In preparation for Le Mans demonstration, Mazda 787B was restored to normal flying conditions, the first revision after the 1991 race. Restoration was carried out by Mazda's current employees who have participated in the original Le Mans Challenge with engineers from Mazda Design Division Mazda E & T The restored 787B was tested by one of the best pilots Mazda, and his performance was confirmed by former test pilots Mazda Yoshimi Katayama, Yojiro Terada and Takashi Yorino to me Mazda circuit in western Japan.

As part of anniversary celebrations of 20 years, several members of the 1991 Mazda team will return to Le Mans. Winning driver, Johnny Herbert (UK) will join the 1991 Mazda and drivers David Kennedy (Ireland), Pierre Dieudonné (Belgium), but other team members.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/