The Mazda 787B is the Mazda race car that won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, powered by a four-rotor R26B rotary engine. It remains the only Japanese manufacturer win at Le Mans and the only overall win by a non-piston engine. This guide covers its history, technical details and key facts.
Quick answer
Car #55, driven by Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler and Bertrand Gachot, won Le Mans in 1991 and completed 362 laps. Its 2.6-litre R26B made about 700 hp in race trim.
Mazda 787B specs
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | R26B, naturally aspirated four-rotor Wankel, mid-mounted |
| Capacity | 2,616 cc (rotary rating) |
| Power | About 700 hp at 9,000 rpm in 1991 Le Mans trim |
| Torque | About 608 Nm at 6,500 rpm |
| Weight | 830 kg, the minimum allowed for the class |
| Chassis | Carbon and Kevlar composite monocoque |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
How Mazda got to the 787B
Mazda raced rotary-powered cars at Le Mans for years before 1991. Its 787 debuted in 1990, and both cars retired from that year’s Le Mans, one with an oil leak and one with an electrical fire. The 787B was the improved car for 1991.
Why the Mazda 787B won Le Mans
- Reliability: the engine was run below its peak output to survive 24 hours.
- Low weight: the 830 kg minimum weight allowance suited the car.
- Preparation: Mazda had raced at Le Mans for years and learned from its 1990 retirements.
The winning car covered 362 laps, about 4,932 km.
What happened to the rotary after 1991
The 787 cars were the last rotary-powered racing cars in the World and Japanese championships. Rotary engines were outlawed when the 3.5-litre formula began in 1992. The winning car is preserved as a heritage display piece.
Related motorsport reading
Learn how endurance events work in our World Endurance Race guide, or read more about Japanese cars in racing and the wider race cars overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did a Mazda race car win Le Mans?
Yes. The Mazda 787B, car #55, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991.
Who drove the winning Mazda 787B?
Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler and Bertrand Gachot shared the driving.
What engine did the Mazda 787B use?
It used the R26B, a naturally aspirated four-rotor Wankel engine of 2,616 cc.
How much power did the Mazda 787B make?
Reports give about 700 hp at 9,000 rpm in the 1991 Le Mans setup, though the engine could make more in other trims.
Why were rotary engines banned from Le Mans?
Rotary engines were outlawed when the 3.5-litre formula began in 1992, ending the 787’s racing career.
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