#011 Mazda

by modelM43in carson Posted on

Published March 6, 2024 | Last update March 16, 2026 | 25 models online

Group C gave constructors a lot of freedom to achieve the best result. Multiple concepts were successful; Porsche with the famous turbo-charged flat-6, many smaller constructors put their trust in the Cosworth V8, Jaguar used V12’s and Mercedes V8-turbo’s. But Mazda did something completely different and mounted a 4-chamber normally aspirated rotary engine. Before that, Mazda ran smaller 2-chamber engines in touring and sports cars. They have one thing in common, they all sound like 2-stroke chain saws 🙂

How it began

1970 Le Mans 24h, Chevron B16
The Chevron B16 was a popular little sportscar that was often used a Ford 16-valve BDA or BMW engine. Belgian Levi’s Racing Team took another approach and mounted a small 1.0 liter Mazda rotary engine in the British chassis. It wasn’t a great success, in qualifying it was 20 seconds behind the fastest Chevron B16 and in the race the engine seized after only 19 laps.
Levis International Racing Team #48: Julien Vernaeve (B) / Yves Deprez (B)
Results: Start-grid 41st / time 4:24.200 / race DNF engine – 19 laps
Chevron B16 – prototypes < 2L: Powered by 1.0 liter Mazda 10A 2-rotor, approx. 180 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 660 kg. Aluminum space frame, chassisnr. #JBE-14

1973 Le Mans 24h, Sigma MC73
The next attempt with a rotary engine would be in 1973 when Mazda entered a rotary engined racing car for this year’s Le Mans. It was the first Japanese car that qualified for the 24 hour race. Unfortunately, the little Sigma retired with a broken clutch after only 79 laps.
Sigma Automotive #26:Tetsu Ikuzawa (J) / Hiroshi Fushida (J) / Patrick Dal Bo (F)
Results: Start-grid 14th / time 4:11.100 / race DNF clutch – 79 laps
Sigma MC73 – prototypes < 2L: Powered by 1.2 liter Mazda 12A 2-rotor, approx. 250 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 690 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. unknown

1974 Le Mans 24h, Sigma MC74
The 74 Sigma managed to finish the race, but too many laps behind, so it was not classified in the end.
Mazda Automotive #25: Yojiro Terada / Yasuhiro Okamoto / Harukuni Takahashi
Results: Start-grid 27th / time 4:20.400 / race DNC – 156 laps
Sigma MC74- prototypes < 2L: Powered by 1.2 liter Mazda 12A 2-rotor, approx. 250 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 690 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. unknown

ModelM43 – Chevron & Sigma
  • #48 | MAGAZIN serie 24H121 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 2 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection
  • #26 | BIZARRE Mazda Rotary Le Mans History 26 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #109 Canon
  • #25 | BIZARRE Mazda Rotary Le Mans History 25 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #109 Canon

RX-7

1980 British Saloon Car Championship, Mazda RX-7
The year before its international breakthrough by winning the Spa 24h, Win Percy competed in the British Saloon Car Championship. The little TWR-prepared Mazda fought for overall victory against the very fast 3-liter Ford Capris of Andy Rouse and Gordon Spice and de Rover V8 from Jeff Allam who all battled in category D. And that very competitive field made Percy champion: The little Mazda was entered in category C, the below 2-liter category, which he won every race.
TWR Pentax #20: Win Percy (GB)
Results: 10 x 1st in cat. C / 1st championship
Mazda RX-7 – Touring Group 1B, category C: Powered by 1.3 liter Mazda 13B-RESI 2-rotor, approx. 240 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 900 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown

  • IXO Atlas BTCC Champions (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 2 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

1981 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, Mazda RX-7
The first great success for the rotary Mazda’s. The small Mazda RX-7 was the surprise of 1981. It was already blistering quick in qualifying (2nd behind a Camaro), but managed to keep up the high rhythm all race long. The Tom Walkinshaw prepared Mazda defeated the BMW 530i and Ford Capri that were the favorites. This was also the first 24-hour race that I visited!
TWR #40: Tom Walkinshaw (GB) / Pierre Dieudonné (B)
Results: Start-grid 2nd / time 2.54,000 / race 1st – 456 laps
Mazda RX-7 – Touring Group 1B, < 2.5L: Powered by 1.3 liter Mazda 13B-RESI 2-rotor, approx. 240 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 900 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown

  • BIZARRE BZ429 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

Group C / GTP

1983 Le Mans 24h, Mazda 717C
The tiny Mazda 717C was built by Mooncraft and had a 1.3 liter 2-rotor engine that developed now almost 300 hp. It was entered in the C-junior category, that it won thanks to its reliability!
Mazdaspeed #60: Yoshimi Katayama (J) / Yojiro Terada (J) / Takashi Yorino (J)
Results: Start-grid 43rd / time 4:06.130 / race 12th – 303 laps / 1st in C-junior
Mazda 717 – Group C Junior: Powered by 1.3 liter Mazda 13B 2-rotor, approx. 300 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 800 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. Mooncraft #002

  • MAGAZIN serie 24H135 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 2 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

1984 Le Mans 24h, Lola T616 – Mazda
Lola built this T616 for the C2 category and equipped it with a Mazda 2-chamber rotary engine. They finished 10th and 12th and won the C2 category in front of the official Mazda 727 works cars that used the same engines.
BFGoodrich Company #67: Jim Busby (USA) / Boy Hayje (NL) / Rick Knoop (USA)
Results: Start-grid 39th / time 3:56.680 / race 12th – 295 laps / 3rd in C2
Lola T616 – Group C2: Powered by 1.3 liter Mazda 13B 2-rotor, approx. 300 hp. BF Goodrich tires. Weight 800 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. #HU3

  • BIZARRE BZ359 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #117 Lola Classic

1986 Le Mans 24h, Mazda 757C
In 1986 Mazda completely changed their strategy. No longer the Japanese Mooncraft chassis were used, Mazda had their 757C designed by Nigel Stroud in the UK and built it in house. The IMSA GTP 757C had a 3-chamber rotary engine that delivered 450 hp and was much faster than the previous models. But the gearbox was their weak point and both cars retired, this one 80 laps later than the #171.
Mazdaspeed #170: David Kennedy (GB) / Mark Galvin (GB) / Pierre Dieudonné (B)
Results: Start-grid 29th / time 3:44.740 / race DNF Gearbox – 137 laps
Mazda 757C – IMSA GTP: Powered by 2.0 liter Mazda 13G 3-rotor, approx. 450 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 850 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. Mazdaspeed #003

  • SPARK S0640 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

1989 Le Mans 24h, Mazda 767B
The Mazda 767s were the first to use the 4-chamber rotary engine that delivered over 600 hp. The Mazdas were entered in the IMSA GTP class which suited them better than Group C. The three Japanese cars were the only entrants in this class, so it was quite obvious they would win it. But the reliable cars finished 7th, 9th and 12th overall and that is a great result.
Mazdaspeed #202: Takashi Yorino (J) / Hervé Regout (B) / Elliot Forbes-Robinson (USA)
Results: Start-grid 16th / time 3:25.450 / race 9th – 366 laps / 2nd IMSA GTP
Mazda 767B– IMSA GTP: Powered by 2.6 liter Mazda R26J 4-rotor, approx. 600 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 830 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. Mazdaspeed #002

  • Q-MODEL Streamline QM114 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

1990 Le Mans 24h, Mazda 787
Just like in 1989 Mazda entered its cars in IMSA GTP, this time it was the new 787 with a carbon fibre chassis. The #203 car won its class, but unlike last year the other two cars retired. Among these was this car.
Mazdaspeed #201: David Kennedy (GB) / Stefan Johansson (S) / Pierre Dieudonné (B)
Results: Start-grid 23rd / time 3:43.350 / race DNF oil leak – 148 laps
Mazda 787 – IMSA GTP: Powered by 2.6 liter Mazda R26B 4-rotor, approx. 600 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 830 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Advanced Composite Techn. #001

  • SPARK S6046 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

1991 Fuji 1000 km, Mazda 787B
While one car was tested in Europe, two other B-versions of Mazda’s 787 raced the competitive Japan Sports Prototype championship. Kennedy and Yorino reached the podium once, at Fuji. Of course the team won at Le Mans.
Mazdaspeed #202: David Kennedy (GB) / Takahasi Yorino (J)
Results: Start-grid 9th / time 1:18.814 / race 3rd – 161 laps / 1st GTP
Mazda 787 – IMSA GTP: Powered by 2.6 liter Mazda R26B 4-rotor, approx. 600 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 830 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Advanced Composite Techn. #001

  • HPI 8039 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value:  4 STARS

1991 Le Mans 24h, Mazda 787B
The Mazdas couldn’t match the speed of the Jaguars and Mercedes that were chasing each other. Instead, the Mazda’s focussed on consistency and fuel consumption and that paid off. This is the sister car of the winning team, this one finished 6th.
Mazdaspeed #18: David Kennedy (IRL) / Stefan Johansson (S) / Maurizio Sandro Sala (E)
Results: Start-grid 23rd / time 3:46.641 / race 6th – 356 laps / 1st GTP
Mazda 787B – Group C, category 2 (homologated turbo cars): Powered by 2.6 liter Mazda R26B 4-rotor, approx. 600 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 830 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Advanced Composite Techn. #001

  • IXO Classic Le Mans & GT Cars QLM028 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value:  2 STARS

1991 Le Mans 24h, Mazda 787B
All eyes were on the Jaguars and Mercedes that would fight for honors in this year’s Le Mans. But to everybody’s surprise, the howling rotary-engined Mazda took victory. It was the first overall win for a Japanese manufacturer at Le Mans and the only one until Toyota finally won in 2017.
Mazdaspeed #55: Volker Weidler (D) / Johnny Herbert (GB) / Bertrand Gachot (B)
Results: Start-grid 19th / time 3:43.503 / race 1st – 363 laps
Mazda 787B – Group C, category 2 (homologated turbo cars): Powered by 2.6 liter Mazda R26B 4-rotor, approx. 600 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 830 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Advanced Composite Techn. #002

  • MINICHAMPS MC436 911655 in presentation box (1:43 diecast)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value:  4 STARS
  • CMR 175 (1:18 with opening doors)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value:  5 STARS
    • Both only appear in this collection

LMP 2 prototypes

1996 Le Mans 24h, Kudzu DLM – Mazda
With support from MazdaSpeed, Jim Downing competed in Le Mans 1995 with a Kudzu DG-3 with 4-chamber rotary engine in the WSC category and finished 7th. For the 1996 race the all new Kudzu DLM that made use of the 3-rotor Mazda engine was entered in the LMP2 category. The Kudzu was the last car that was classified, 103 laps behind the winning Joest car. But the light LMP2 cars were very fragile and it was the only one that finished the race and thus it won its class …
Mazdaspeed #20: Yojiro Terada (J) / Jim Downing (USA) / Franck Fréon (F)
Results: Start-grid 23rd / time 3:57.336 / race 25th – 251 laps / 1st LMP2
MazdaSpeed Kudzu DLM – LMP2: Powered by 1.5 liter Mazda 3-rotor, approx. 500 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 675 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnumber #007

  • SPARK S9447 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value:  4 STARS

2002 American Le Mans Series Mid Ohio, Lola B2K/42 – Mazda
The B2K/42 is a Lola B2K/40 that has been adapted to the Mazda rotary engine. De B2K/40 and B2K/42 are often used in the ALMS (P675) en IMSA-series (SR2). This Mazda version is entered by Spencer Motorsports in the ALMS but doesn’t have much success.
Team Spencer Motorsports#62: Dennis Spencer (USA) / Richard Grupp (USA)
Results: Start-grid 23rd / time 1:26.488 / race DNF engine – 15 laps
Spencer Lola B2K/42 – LMP675: Powered by 1.3 liter Mazda 13B 2-rotor, approx. 300 hp. Avon Tires. Weight 680 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #HU02

  • TOP MODEL COLLECTION LM021 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 2 STARS | Quality details: 42 STARS | Estimated value:  2 STARS
    • Also appears in #091 Lola LMP

2002 Le Mans 24h, AutoExe LMP02
The AutoExe is a French build Welter (WR) equipped with a Mazda rotary engine. It was Yojira Terada‘s 25th Le Mans from which he competed most in Mazda’s. It brought him no luck as he was the first to abandon this year’s race with a broken gearbox.
Autoexe Motorsports #24: Yojira Terada (J) / Jim Downing (USA) / John Fergus (USA)
Results: Start-grid 35th / time 4:01.791 / race DNF gearbox – 5 laps
AutoExe LMP02 – LMP675: Powered by 2.6 liter Mazda R26B 4-rotor, approx. 475 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium + Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. WR 2001-02

  • PROVENCE MOULAGE (hand built resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value:  3 STARS
    • Also appears in #100 Art Cars

The rotary lives on in a GT

2010 Daytona 24h, Mazda RX8
While the rotary engines have been banned from sports car racing and Mazda switched to ‘normal’ petrol engines, Mazda still raced ‘rotary chain saws’ in GT. In the Grand Am Series most attention goes to the Daytona Prototypes which are the fastest. But behind that, great GT racing is going on. The GT class is surprisingly not dominated by the traditional GT makes, but by the Riley designed Mazda. This RX-8 won the GT class at Daytona in front of some 911 GT3 cup, Camaro, BMW M6 and more Mazda’s.
SpeedSource #70: David Haskell (USA) / Sylvain Tremblay (CAN) / Nick Ham (USA) / Jonathan Bomarito (USA)
Results: Start-grid 18th / time 1:49.4620 / race 8th – 707 laps / 1st GT
Mazda RX-8 – Grand-Am GT: Powered by 2.0 liter Mazda 20B RENESIS 3-rotor, approx 450 hp. Pirelli tires. Weight 1100 kg. Steel space frame, chassisnr. #Z-002 (Riley-SpeedSource)

  • SPARK ML013 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value:  4 STARS
    • Also appears in #092 Riley

Mazda prototypes without the rotary engine

1992 Mazda MXR-01
After the win in 1991, rotary engines were prohibited. Now Mazda had no car to defend their title in 1992. The Japanese bought two carbon fibre Jaguar XJR-14 chassis’ from Walkinshaw, who was shutting down the Jaguar project. They attached a Judd V10 and raced them as Mazdas in the same livery and drivers as their winning rotary car.
Mazdaspeed #5: Johnny Herbert (GB) / Bertrand Gachot (B) / Volker Weidler (D)
Results: Start-grid 7th / time 3:34.329 / race 4th – xxx laps
Mazda MXR-01 – Group C cat. 1 (normally aspirated 3.5L): Powered by 3.5 liter Judd MV10 V10, approx. 600 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 750 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. TWR / Astec #004

  • SPARK S0798 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value:  4 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

2008 Sebring 12h, Lola B07/46 – Mazda
B-K Motorsports drove in the American Le Mans Series between 2006 and 2008 using Lola chassis’. They were supported by Mazda and were the first to use the new 4 cylinder turbo engine. The race at Sebring 2008 was a disaster; Devlin crashed hard in qualifying and was not able to make it to the start of the race.
B-K Motorsports #8: Gerardo Bonilla (USA) / Raphael Matos (BR) / Ben Devlin (GB)
Results: Start-grid – / time – / DNS – 0 laps / crash in qualifying
Lola B07/46 – LMP2: Powered by 2.0 liter Mazda MZR (AER) straight-4 turbo, approx. 500 hp. Yokohama Advan tires. Weight 825 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. B05/40 #HU08

  • SPARK ML002 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #030 BP / #091 Lola LMP

2009 Sebring 12h, Lola B09/86 – Mazda
Dyson Racing Team drove Lola chassis’ in the ALMS for years. After a short period with the Porsche RS Spyder, the team returned to Lola. This time the new closed Lola with the Mazda 4-cylinder turbo engine and support of BP. The 2009 Sebring race didn’t bring the team much luck, both cars retired.
Dyson Racing #16: Chris Dyson (USA) / Andy Lally (USA) / Guy Smith (GB)
Results: Start-grid 8th / time 1:51.534 / race DNF mechanical – 127 laps

Dyson Racing #20: Butch Leitzinger (USA) / Marino Franchitti (GB) / Ben Devlin (GB)
Results: Start-grid 10th / time 1:51.840 / race DNF mechanical – 149 laps
Lola B09/86 – LMP2: Powered by 2.0 liter Mazda MZR (AER) straight-4 turbo, approx. 525 hp. Yokohama Advan tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. B09/80 #HU01 & #HU02

  • SPARK ML003 & ML004 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appear in #030 BP / #091 Lola LMP

2009 Laguna Seca, Lola B08/86 – Mazda
At Sebring both Dyson Racing Lola’s were in BP green, at Laguna Seca this car (an older B08/86 chassis) raced in Mazda blue.
Dyson Racing #20: Butch Leitzinger (USA) / Marino Franchitti (GB)
Results: Start-grid 4th / time 1:12.051 / race DNF mechanical – 31 laps
Lola B08/86 – LMP2: Powered by 2.0 liter Mazda MZR (AER) straight-4 turbo, approx. 525 hp. Yokohama Advan tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. B08/86 #HU02

  • SPARK ML015 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appear in #030 BP / #091 Lola LMP

2016 IMSA Championship Watkins Glen, Mazda Prototype
Mazda returned to the IMSA series and just as a number of years before, they used Lola chassis and an Mazda based engine. The cars ran in red metallic, but for the Watkins Glen race for one of the cars an old and famous color scheme was chosen. In 2017 a new DPi car would be presented and Joest Racing would take over the development.
Mazda Motorsports #55: Tristan Nunez (USA) / Jonathan Bomarito (USA) / Spencer Pigot (USA)
Results: Start-grid 2nd / time 1:35.374 / 29th – 180 laps / 8th in P
Lola B12/80 – IMSA Prototypes: Powered by 2.0 liter Mazda MZ-2.0T AER straight-4 turbo, approx. 500 hp. Continental tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre chassis, chassisnr. Lola #HU06

  • HI STORY MD43012 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #091 Lola LMP / #054 Retro liveries

2021 Daytona 24h, Mazda RT24-P
The RT24 is the successor of the Mazda Prototype. It was built by Multimatic based on a Riley Mk30 LMP2 chassis for the IMSA DPi category. The car made its debut in Daytona 2017, ran by Mazda Motorsports and reached a few podiums. In 2018 Joest took over and scored a few podiums as well. In 2019 and 2020 a few wins were achieved. In 2021, The cars were again entered by Multimatic under the Mazda Motorsport banner and the RT24-P finished 2nd in the Daytona 24-hour race. The Mazda won its last race in which it competed, the Petit Le Mans with the same crew that finished 2nd at Daytona.
Mazda Motorsports #55: Oliver Jarvis (GB) / Harry Tincknell (GB) / Jonathan Bomarito (USA)
Results: Start-grid 2nd / qualifying race 51 laps / race 2nd – 807 laps
Mazda RT24-P – Daytona Prototypes DPi: Powered by 2.0 liter Mazda MZ-2.0T AER straight-4 turbo, approx. 500 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre chassis, chassisnr. Multimatic / Riley #unknown

  • TRUE SCALE MINIATURES TSM 430554 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value:  4 STARS
    • Also appears in #092 Riley

Thanks for visiting 🙂