Mazda 787B - 1991

The 1991 Mazda 787B and its Historic Le Mans Victory

The victory of the Mazda 787B at the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans stands as one of the most iconic underdog stories in motorsport history. It was the first and only win for a Japanese manufacturer and the only triumph for a car powered by a non-reciprocating engine. The achievement was the culmination of a two-decade effort by Mazda and its Mazdaspeed racing division, made all the more poignant by the fact that rule changes would outlaw the rotary engine for the 1992 season, making 1991 a "now or never" opportunity.  

The success of the 787B was rooted in a holistic design philosophy that prioritized efficiency and reliability. At its heart was the R26B, a four-rotor engine that produced a unique, high-pitched scream that became legendary. While capable of over 900 horsepower, the team strategically detuned the engine to a reliable 700 hp for the race, a decision that proved crucial for its "bulletproof" reliability. This innovative engine was housed in an advanced, lightweight chassis. Built from a carbon fiber monocoque and carbon-Kevlar body panels, the car weighed just 830 kg. This gave it a staggering 170 kg weight advantage over its primary rivals, the 1,000 kg Sauber-Mercedes C11s and Jaguar XJR-12s—a concession secured through masterful lobbying by the team. This low mass provided a cascade of benefits, improving acceleration, braking, handling, and fuel economy, while reducing stress on all components. The car was also a technological pioneer, being the first Le Mans winner equipped with carbon-ceramic brakes.  

Entering the race as a firm underdog, Mazdaspeed adopted a bold strategy: they instructed their drivers to run at a sprint pace from the start, weaponizing their car's reliability to pressure the faster but more fragile competition. The race became one of attrition. The favored Sauber-Mercedes team established an early dominance but began to suffer mechanical failures as the hours wore on. The #55 Mazda, driven by Volker Weidler, Johnny Herbert, and Bertrand Gachot, ran a flawless race, climbing steadily through the field. With just three hours remaining, the leading Mercedes suddenly retired with a water pump failure, thrusting the screaming orange and green Mazda into an unexpected lead.  

In a final, dramatic chapter, the team asked an exhausted and severely dehydrated Johnny Herbert to remain in the car for the final stint to avoid the risk of a late pit stop. Herbert heroically guided the car home, crossing the finish line to secure victory before collapsing and being rushed to the medical center, famously missing the podium celebration.  

The 787B's legacy was immediately cemented. The subsequent ban on rotary engines made its victory a unique, unrepeatable feat. Its fame has been amplified over the decades by its unforgettable Renown livery and its iconic engine sound, with Mazda carefully preserving the winning chassis (787B-002) and showcasing it at global events, ensuring the legend of the Hiroshima underdog continues to captivate new generations of fans.