<< Prev Page 2 of 2 Once constructed by Advanced Composites in England, the chassis along with various other components were shipped to Japan for final assembly at Mazdaspeed. Known as the 787, the latest Mazda was not only the first to adopt a carbon-fibre composite chassis but it also boasted an advanced telemetry system. This allowed the engineers to follow all of the car's vital parameters in real-time. Considering the fuel-cap in Group C, this was of particular importance as the consumption could be closely monitored and pace adjusted accordingly. The only other team to use this system at the time was Sauber-Mercedes.
Mazda faced a race against the clock and although the Japanese team arrived at Le Mans with two 787s, there simply had not been enough time to thoroughly test and develop the brand new machines. The final adjustments were made as late as the Friday evening before the race. Despite the limited preparation, the six drivers were instructed to drive as fast as the the consumption figures allowed. This made retirement of both cars almost inevitable; one suffered from electronic problems while the other had engine problems. The only Mazda to reach the finish was an earlier 767B, which placed 20th overall and first in class.
Extensive rule changes were introduced for 1991 and if it wasn't for the diplomatic skills of the Mazdaspeed executives, the rotary engine would have been banned. Fortunately, Mazda were given another year to run the spectacular engine at Le Mans. Evolved into the 787B, the sophisticated machine featured reinforced suspension and a more rigid chassis. With Le Mans Jacky Ickx on-board as an advisor, the organisation was further streamlined and the Mazda 787B would go on to score Japan's first and until now only outright victory at Le Mans. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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Once constructed by Advanced Composites in England, the chassis along with various other components were shipped to Japan for final assembly at Mazdaspeed. Known as the 787, the latest Mazda was not only the first to adopt a carbon-fibre composite chassis but it also boasted an advanced telemetry system. This allowed the engineers to follow all of the car's vital parameters in real-time. Considering the fuel-cap in Group C, this was of particular importance as the consumption could be closely monitored and pace adjusted accordingly. The only other team to use this system at the time was Sauber-Mercedes.