Tuesday 23rd June

Spectacular Mazda 787B set for Le Mans return

35 years after its memorable victory, the rotary powered Mazda will run at La Sarthe 

---

There have been many spectacular-sounding cars to run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans over the past century. The V8 Cadillacs and V12 Valkyrie are keeping the tradition running to this day. Between V10 Peugeots, V12 Ferraris, the McLaren F1, the Matras, the GT40s, the XK-powered Jags and many more, the engines of Le Mans have been truly incredible. 

But they’re all a bit common, really, compared to the only rotary car to ever win at Le Mans (and one in with a shout of being the best sounding endurance racer ever): the Mazda 787B. Having been the first Japanese manufacturer to win the legendary race, Mazda has been reluctant to let its amazing machine out very much. Too high maintenance, too valuable, too challenging - the usual stuff. To see one has been a very rare privilege. And it’s hardly like Mazda has a new rotary production car to associate it with. 

But ask any millennial desperately clinging on to their last bits of hope: you’re only 35 once. So to mark the 1991 win, Mazda is bringing a 787B to the Le Mans Classic next month, where it will take part in a solo demonstration run. Meaning no other cars to distract you from that otherworldly howl. Even on what looks like being another superb LMC weekend, a 787B at pace has to be a must-watch event, having only been there twice before. It will be driven by Yojero Terada and Pierre Fillon. Mazda says its aim with the demo run is ‘to inspire anticipation for the future and ensure this legacy is passed on to the next generation.’ In case those cheap RX-8s on Marketplace weren’t already tempting enough.

That’s kind of it really: one of the best-sounding cars ever to race at Le Mans - potentially the greatest-sounding to ever win - will return to the iconic circuit. And if you think we’re overstating the fact, watch this. There really is nothing to rival a 787B as an aural experience. Not even the very silliest RX-7. So if you haven’t already sorted a Le Mans Classic camping spot with PH, what are you waiting for? Be sure to send us the video…

---

• Mazda MX-5 (ND2) | Cars to be thankful for
• Honda S2000 vs. Mazda RX-8 vs. Nissan 350Z

[Bluehorseshoe]

It is truly an epic thing it's a shame the RX8 just didn't work so well. I drove one back in the early 00s and it was an ok car not the quickest but very smooth

[Every day a journey]

As seen at Goodwood almost exactly 15 years ago

[Leon R]

There really is nothing to rival a 787B as an aural experience. Not even the very silliest RX-7.

Rob Dahm's 4 rotor would beg to differ.

[blueST]

It done a demo run at the 24 hours before, I've seen it at least once, think Johnny Herbert drove it.

[bangerhoarder]

I bet it takes a huge amount of work to get it ready to use, and that it's finicky, high maintenance and a bit of a pig. Utterly fabulous though.

[The Hypno-Toad]

https://youtu.be/y__3snJ_yg4

I was in the right place at the right time at Le Mans in 2023.

[trevalvole]

And as well as the quality of the sound, there's the volume. Remember to take earplugs is my recommendation!!!

[Riff Raff]

Leon R said:

There really is nothing to rival a 787B as an aural experience. Not even the very silliest RX-7.

Rob Dahm's 4 rotor would beg to differ.

A 767? I'm pretty sure I saw one at the Brands 500Km in 89 or so. It was ear bleedingly loud going down Pilgrim's Drop.

[Taking the urea]

Blimey 35 years ago. I remember seeing it win that year. Ridiculously loud as I remember and kept me awake all night.

Funnily enough I bought one of these the other day on GT7 and won the LeMans race with it. It doesn't make me Jonny Herbert though...

[VladD]

bangerhoarder said:

I bet it takes a huge amount of work to get it ready to use, and that it's finicky, high maintenance and a bit of a pig. Utterly fabulous though.

According to a magazine article I've just read, they took the engine apart after the race and the wear was so minimal that they think the engine could have easily run for another 24 hours.

[S600BSB]

Can’t wait!

[Oldwolf]

blueST said:

It done a demo run at the 24 hours before, I've seen it at least once, think Johnny Herbert drove it.

Yep, 2011. I was sat at Tertre Rouge and heard it start up in the pit lane

[nismo48]

bangerhoarder said:

I bet it takes a huge amount of work to get it ready to use, and that it's finicky, high maintenance and a bit of a pig. Utterly fabulous though.

+1

[tazzatime]

I was there for the win, one of my most memorable Le Mans, great car and great race.
After the race on our way back to Le Havre we passed a Mazda garage, the staff had turned up (Sunday remember) and were outside celebrating, they got a big cheer from our group of cars.
Happy days

[ducnick]

Presumably the lm classic is considerably better than the main event these days. How long is the classic race?

[Pereldh]

Pretty sure it was at Le Mans Classic in 2018..?

[86wasagoodyear]

ducnick said:

Presumably the lm classic is considerably better than the main event these days. How long is the classic race?

Both are great. Just different

[Jonmx]

787B has been in my dream garage on here since I set this account up 20 years ago

[VladD]

Oldwolf said:

blueST said:

It done a demo run at the 24 hours before, I've seen it at least once, think Johnny Herbert drove it.

Yep, 2011. I was sat at Tertre Rouge and heard it start up in the pit lane

[bigmowley]

I was there. I remember going to bed, campsite vert, about 3.00AM for a quick power nap. You could hear the 787B round about half a lap it was insane. When I woke up a couple of hours later I was mighty relieved that the scream was still there. Once heard never forgotten. Love it.