Spectacular Mazda 787B set for Le Mans return

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

By Matt Bird / Thursday, 25 June 2026 / Loading comments

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…