The Mazda 787B, winning the 24 Hours in 1991, returns to Le Mans after 20 years
• The incredible roar of the engine quadrirotor Mazda 787B will sound again at the Circuit de la Sarthe on June 11, before the official start of the race
2011 marks the 20th anniversary of Mazda's victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, running the most demanding global automotive endurance. In 1991, Mazda is the first Japanese manufacturer to win the ordeal, and still the only one so far. To celebrate this anniversary and at the invitation of the organizers of the event, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), the manufacturer will present the Mazda 787B, laureate of the 1991 edition, on the Le Mans Circuit on Saturday 11 June 2011, before the official start of the race.
Kick off the 79th edition of Le Mans 24 Hours will be given Saturday, June 11, 2011 was 15h (local time) and the ordeal will end the next day at the same hour. Mazda will perform a demonstration of the 787B June 11 to 12.30. The 1991 laureate also take part in the drivers' parade which will take place Friday, June 10 in the city center of Le Mans.
The Mazda 787B was specially restored and tested for its exhibition at Le Mans
The Mazda 787B is the first and only Japanese car, and rotary engine in addition, to have won the Le Mans 24 Hours. Jointly developed by Mazda and Mazdaspeed, the organization in charge of the program of competition Mazda, the 787B was equipped with a frame replying to the technical regulations of group C and animated by a rotating motor 700 hp quadrotor. Due to changes in regulations race 1991 was the last year a vehicle or a rotary engine could participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After 17 years of effort, Mazda finally realized his dream in extremis and won a victory at Le Mans. This victory not only returns a Mazda, it is the result of long years of hard work by Mazdaspeed, drivers, suppliers and many other stakeholders.
Takashi Yamanouchi, Mazda representatif Director, Chairman of the Board and CEO, said: "Mazda's policy is to continually set of challenges. This spirit Federated all employees of the Mazda Group worldwide, and encourages us to achieve the ambitious goals we set. There are exactly 50 years, in 1961, Mazda has started the development of its rotary engine. The path from that date until our victory at Le Mans in 1991 and today our development program of SKYACTIV technologies is undoubtedly the spirit of challenge. 2011 will be a pivotal year for the new Mazda group as we enter the era Skyactiv with the launch globally of our new generation vehicles. "
Since 1991, the Mazda 787B was exposed to the Mazda Museum in Hiroshima, Japan. In preparation of his demonstration at Le Mans, Mazda has carefully restored the car to put in working order, for the first time since its inspection after the race in 1991. This work was entrusted to the Mazda employees who participated in Le Mans project at the time, as well as engineers of the engineering subsidiary of Mazda, Mazda E & T. The restored 787B was tested by one of the most seasoned drivers of the brand, and its performance has been confirmed by former Mazda factory drivers Yoshimi Katayama, Yojiro Terada and Takashi Yorino on the test track Mazda Mine in western Japan.
As part of celebrations of the 20th anniversary, various crew members Mazda 1991 also will be back at Le Mans. The winning driver Johnny Herbert (England) will accompany drivers Mazda 1991 David Kennedy (Ireland), Pierre Dieudonné (Belgium) and other crew members.
