The 1991 Le Mans winning Mazda 787B will make the trip across the channel to the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed after demonstrations at the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans and Le Mans Classic. In the centenary year of the iconic 24 hour race, the 787B will be part of a fleet of other Le Mans contenders in what marks its first appearance at Goodwood for eight years.

Johnny Herbert, who was part of the trio that famously drove the car to victory in 1991, will return to the car and take on the challenge of the hill on the Saturday and Sunday of the event.  Sky Sports F1 presenter and ex-Grand Prix driver Karun Chandhok and ex-Mazda IMSA factory driver Harry Tincknell will pilot the car as well during the weekend.

Back in 1991, the winning Mazda 787B covered 362, making 28 pit stops and when Herbert crossed the line, it marked the first time that a Japanese manufacturer had ever won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In a largely uneventful race, fans are likely to remember the scream that came from the Mazda’s rotary engines. The team knew that rotary engines were likely to be banned for the following years’ race and took advantage also with the help of Briton Nigel Stroud, who designed the chassis and Belgian team consultant Jacky Ickx. The 787B was also the first car to win Le Mans with carbon brakes and represents a hugely significant victory for Japanese and Asian motorsport as a whole.

The Le Mans winning number 55 Mazda 787B was immediately retired from competition after the race and chassis 002 now takes pride of place in the Mazda HQ museum in Hiroshima. In 1991 it became one of the most famous Le Mans winners and remains an icon in the world of motorsport three decades later thanks to its pioneering invention and significance to Japan.

One of the biggest weekends of UK motorsport is almost here. Keep an eye out at Driven for more news and features about the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed as the event draws ever closer.

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: Mazda