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The Mazda 787/787B was a prototype racing car built for the 24 hours of Le Mans auto race, replacing the 767. It used a 4-rotor 26B Wankel engine which produced over 700 hp (522 kW). The 787B's 1991 win at Le Mans was historic in two ways: It marked both the first time a Japanese manufacturer had won the race, and the first time a Wankel engine won. The 787B was designed by Nigel Stroud. Two were entered at Le Mans in 1990 but were unable to complete the race. Three were entered for 1991, placing first, sixth, and eighth.
The number 55 car led the race for three hours, from lap 320 to claim the win. Drivers Johnny Herbert, Bertrand Gachot, and Volker Weidler completed 362 laps (4923.2 km/3059.1 miles), finishing 27.2 km ahead of the second-place car with an average speed of 205.3 km/h.
Rotary engines had been outlawed by the FISA for 1992, so this was the last time the car would have been allowed to compete.
Specifications
- Construction: carbon fibre
- Weight: 830 kg (1831 lb)
- Wheelbase: 2.66 m
- Length: 4.78 m
- Track (F/R): 1.53/1.50 m
- Width: 1.99 m
- Wheels: 18 in
- Tires (F/R): Dunlop 300-640x18/355-710x18
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