Mazda 787B

The Mazda 787B is a sports prototype racing car that was developed by Japanese automobile manufacturer Mazda for use in the World Sportscar Championship, All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1990 to 1991. The car was designed to combine a mixture of the Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA) Group C regulations with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) GTP regulations. The 787B was powered by Mazda’s R26B engine, a 4-rotor, naturally aspirated engine. Although the 787B lacked the single lap pace of World Championship competitors such as Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Porsche, as well as Japanese Championship competitors Nissan and Toyota, the 787s had reliability that allowed them to contend for their respective championships. The most notable achievement of the Mazda 787B was its victory in the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans. Driven by Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler, and Bertrand Gachot, it became the first car with a non-reciprocating engine design to win at Le Mans. It was also the first victory by a Japanese manufacturer, and remains the only such victory until Toyota won the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car had a lightweight carbon composite monocoque chassis and a sophisticated suspension system with a pull rod front suspension and rocker arm rear suspension. It also featured carbon disc brakes and Brembo calipers. The car weighed just 830 kg and had a maximum output of 700 PS.