Iconic Mazda 787B Returns: Le Mans Winner at 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Prepare to be transported to the exhilarating realm of motorsport history as we journey back to the iconic 1991 Le Mans race, where the celebrated Mazda 787B etched its name in the annals of automotive triumph. Fast forward to the present day, and this legendary racing machine is poised to ignite the passions of motorsport fans at the highly anticipated 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed. This year's festival takes on special significance as it commemorates the centenary of the illustrious Le Mans endurance race, and the Mazda 787B's return to this prestigious event is a momentous occasion.
The Mazda 787B, adorned in its renowned 'Renown' livery, will elegantly ascend the Goodwood Hill throughout the festival, rekindling the memories of its historic victory. On the 15th and 16th of July, the wheel will be once again entrusted to the capable hands of Johnny Herbert, the victor of the 1991 Le Mans race. He is Joining this high-octane reunion with esteemed personalities such as Karun Chandhok, a former Grand Prix driver and Sky Sports F1 presenter, and Harry Tincknell, the former Mazda IMSA factory driver.
In automotive history, the 1991 Le Mans victory is a testament to Mazda's relentless pursuit of innovation, forever encapsulated in the rhythmic hum of its rotary engine. The climax of this achievement unfolded at precisely 4 p.m. on June 23, 1991, as Johnny Herbert deftly steered the Mazda 787B across the finish line. This historic moment was more than just a win; it marked a groundbreaking triumph, as Mazda became the first Japanese automaker to seize the coveted Le Mans title. The distinctive sound of the 787B's captivating engine, echoing across the racetrack, enraptured fans and etched the memory indelibly in their minds.
During its remarkable 362 laps around the iconic French circuit, the victorious Mazda 787B demonstrated unparalleled endurance and astonishingly minimal maintenance requirements. Throughout the gruelling race, the vehicle made a mere 28 pit stops, which included routine tasks such as an oil top-up, brake disc and pad replacements, and even a nose change. Aside from these minor interventions, the 700bhp four-rotor R26B engine-powered 787B ran flawlessly, underscoring the exceptional reliability, efficiency, and performance of Mazda's rotary engine technology.
Johnny Herbert, alongside his Formula One compatriots Volker Weidler and Bertrand Gachot, piloted the triumphant vehicle to a dominant yet uneventful victory. The Mazda 787B had started the race from the 23rd position on the grid. Weidler's remarkable performance catapulted it into the top ten by 6 p.m. By the halfway point at 4 a.m., the Mazda team had secured a formidable third-place position. With three hours left in the race, the leading Mercedes-Benz encountered crippling engine troubles, forcing its untimely retirement. Consequently, 55 Mazda 787B steadily completed the final laps, cementing Japan's inaugural overall victory at Le Mans. This feat had eluded Toyota and Nissan during the Group C era.
This historic win, achieved under the banner of Mazdaspeed with crucial support from the French ORECA organisation, was a truly international effort. The expertise of British chassis designer Nigel Stroud and the invaluable consultancy of Belgian team consultant Jacky Ickx, a six-time Le Mans champion, were instrumental in Mazda's remarkable triumph.
The 1991 Le Mans victory is in Mazda's illustrious 103-year history, representing the zenith of their rotary engine engineering prowess. The legendary Mazda 787B chassis 002, adorned in its striking Renown livery, was promptly retired from competitive racing after this monumental victory. Today, it resides in pristine condition within the hallowed halls of the Mazda HQ museum in Hiroshima. Still in perfect working order, this iconic vehicle continues to captivate car enthusiasts worldwide whenever it graces the track for exhilarating demonstrations. As the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed approaches, the unmistakable rotary engine growl of the Mazda 787B is poised to once again reverberate through the event, serving as an enduring testament to its status as an everlasting icon in motorsport.
