1991 Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B to return to Circuit De La Sarthe
The legendary Mazda 787B will return to the scene of its greatest glory when it appears at the 2026 Le Mans Classic in early July.
As well as taking part in races, Mazda will conduct several demonstration runs of the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning car at the event, which brings together Le Mans race cars from decades of motorsport history. The 787B previously returned to the Circuit de la Sarthe in 2016 and 2022, and also wowed crowds at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
One of the demonstrations will see Japanese former racing driver Yojiro Terada — who has competed at Le Mans 29 times — behind the wheel, as well as ACO (Automobile Club de L’Ouest – organisers of the Le Mans 24 Hours) President Pierre Fillon.
Fillon said: “It has long been a dream of mine to have the privilege of getting behind the wheel of this iconic car.”
Seeing the 787B in the flesh will be essential viewing (and hearing) for many, with the car still being the only overall Le Mans winner to be powered by a rotary engine. The unique sound of a rotary engine is something that still captivates motorsport fans and 2027 will mark 60 years of its development, something that continues to this day.
Mazda’s victory in 1991 with drivers Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler, and Bertrand Gachot was a hugely significant event, as it became the first Japanese manufacturer to win at Le Mans. That remained the case for several years until Toyota’s recent period of dominance, which saw wins in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and, most recently, at the 2026 race, where it reclaimed the title after three years of Ferrari success.
The 2026 Le Mans Classic takes place between 2nd and 5th July.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Mazda