The heroes will always be remembered, but the legends never die... That phrase is accurately describes the Mazda 787B, the first Japanese-car racing that conquered Le Mans circuit, France, in 24-hour endurance race in 1991. Unfortunately after becoming champion, the racing committee restricts the use of rotary machinery as used by 787B in subsequent seasons.
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| Mazda 787B is the first Japanese-car racing that conquered the Le Mans circuit, France, in 24-hour endurance race in 1991. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1q1Gz6y) |
Behind the controversy of the rotary engine prohibition in the race, now Mazda 787B get respectable position as the legends of the Hiroshima based auto manufactur, and got a special throne at Mazda Museum in Hiroshima.
When you visit the museum, you can see that on display the figure of Mazda 787B with its controversial engine. Called controversial because some people believe the prohibition is a conspiracy because the Mazda 787B is too tough, so tough to beat it in the race.
In 1991, Mazda became the first Japanese manufacturer which won in the Le Mans arena, although two other Japanese manufacturers actually more idealized. The history also recorded, 787B became the first race car that won the Le Mans race with a rotary engine to complete the distance of 4923.2 km with an average speed of 205.1 kph.
The 787B winning story is just as interesting. Steered alternately by three drivers, Johnny Herbert of England, Bertrand Gachot of French, and Volker Weidler of Germany, a car with the number 55 was the start at 19th position, and two others Mazda 787B with numbers 18 and 56 are on the position of 23rd and 30th.
At the beginning, the car with the number 55 that was straight poking into the third position. In several laps later, it already in the second position behind the Mercedes-Benz C11 who steered by Michael Schumacher, Fritz Kreutzpointner and Karl Wendlinger. When the race was held in 22 hours, the C11 had to go the pit-stop because of engine problems.
At the last pit-stop, Herbert will ask for remain to steer the car and took the 787B through the finish line the first time as the winner. But at the end of the race, Herbert experiencing fatigue and dehydration and he could not standing at the podium with Weidler and Gachot.
Now, the story of the race is always to be remembered in the Mazda Museum. Now the legendary 787B race car to get its throne as the Rising Sun country's pride. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | OTOMOTIF]
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