#109 Canon

by modelM43in liverieson Posted on

Published January 26, 2026 | Last update January 26, 2026 | 20 models in collection

In 1971, Canon introduced the Canon F-1, a high-end SLR camera, and the FD lens range. In 1976, Canon launched the Canon AE-1, the world’s first camera with an embedded micro-computer. The timing was great to start advertising

First sponsoring

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

  • BIZARRE Mazda Rotary Le Mans History 26 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #011 Mazda

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

  • BIZARRE Mazda Rotary Le Mans History 25 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #011 Mazda

1979 Le Mans 24h, Rondeau M379
Local hero Jean Rondeau once again proved how reliable his cars are. The Rondeaus were entered as Group 6 prototypes for the first time. Ragnotti and Darniche piloted the #5 car which finished 10th overall and 2nd in class. Canon was present on a European entry at Le Mans for the first time.
Jean Rondeau #5: Jean Ragnotti (F) / Bernard Darniche (F)
Results: Start-grid 6th / time 3:43.280 / race 10th – 288 laps / 2nd group 6
Rondeau M379 – Group 6 Sportscars > 2L: Powered by 3.0 liter Ford Cosworth DFV V8 90º, approx 450 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 765 kg. Steel space frame, chassisnr. M379 #002

  • QUARTZO QLM 99044 & QLM 99018 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #089 Rondeau

Richard Lloyd / GTi Engineering

1982 Le Mans 24h, Porsche 924 GTR
After the Porsche factory team raced 924 GTP’s at Le Mans in 1980 and 1981, they turned again to the prototypes. Richard Lloyd Racing and some other privateers took over and raced Porsche 924 GTR’s (the group B car) at Le Mans. The British entry retired early in the race. Canon was the main sponsor and would remain that for some years.
GTi Engineering #84: Andy Rouse (GB) / Richard Lloyd (GB) / Jeff Allam (GB)
Results: Start-grid 56th / time 4:20.810 / race DNF gearbox – 77 laps
Porsche 924 GTR – IMSA GTO: Powered by 2.0 liter Porsche M31.50 straight-4 turbo, approx. 360 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 965 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. #BS70006

  • SPARK S0989 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #070 Front-engined Porsche

1983 Nürburgring 1000 km, Porsche 956K
Richard Lloyd was among the first privateers that could race the mighty Porsche 956. Lammers and Palmer piloted the Canon Porsche the entire season, at the Nürburgring the team was enforced with guest driver Keke Rosberg. The three of them took 3rd place.
Richard Lloyd / Canon Racing #14: Jan Lammers (NL) / Jonathan Palmer (GB) / Keke Rosberg (FIN)
Results: Start-grid 4th / time 6:39.520 / race 3rd – 43 laps
Porsche 956K – Group C1: Powered by 2.6 liter Porsche 935/79 flat-6 twin turbo, approx. 620 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 840 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #106.

  • QUARTZO Q 3058 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 2 STARS | Estimated value: 2 STARS

1983 Le Mans 24h, Porsche 956L
At Le Mans the RLR Porsche used the low drag configuration with the lower rear wing. Richard Lloyd himself was the third driver. Lammers was very eager to take the lead in the opening lap and collided with Jacky Ickx while braking late for Mulsanne corner. Both cars had minor damage but lost some time.
Richard Lloyd / Canon Racing #14: Jan Lammers (NL) / Jonathan Palmer (GB) / Richard Lloyd (GB)
Results: Start-grid 6th / time 3:27.480 / race 8th – 340 laps
Porsche 956K – Group C1: Powered by 2.6 liter Porsche 935/79 flat-6 twin turbo, approx. 620 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 840 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #106.

  • MINICHAMPS MC 430 836514 limited 2106 pcs (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
  • IXO Altaya Les montres sacrés de l’endurance 4, racedirt version (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS

1984 Le Mans 24h, Porsche 956L
The Porsche factory team was not present in Le Mans in 1984. So the privateer teams, such as the team from Richard Lloyd had all chances, he entered two Porsche 956s under the banner of GTi Engineering. Unfortunately both cars failed to finish. This #16, a former factory car, recognizable by the chassis number that starts with 0, was disqualified because it retrieved outside assistance. At the #14 driven by Lammers and Palmer, the cooling fan broke down.
Richard Lloyd / Canon Racing #16: Richard Lloyd (GB) / René Metge (F) / Nick Mason (GB)
Results: Start-grid 21st / time 3:40.960 / race DSQ – 139 laps
Porsche 956L – Group C1: Powered by 2.6 liter Porsche 935/79 flat-6 twin turbo, approx. 640 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 820 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #007.

  • MINICHAMPS MC 430 846516 limites 1008 pcs (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1985 Le Mans 24h, Porsche 956 GTi
The team of Richard Lloyd, GTi Engineering, entered only one car this year. It was the self-built 106B aluminium honeycomb chassis and Goodyear tires for the first time. The team missed out on a possible victory because of an unscheduled stop to cure, as it turned out, a faulty water temperature sensor.
Richard Lloyd / Canon Racing #14: Jonathan Palmer (GB) / James Weaver (GB) / Richard Lloyd (GB)
Results: Start-grid 9th / time 3:25.580 / race 2nd – 371 laps
Porsche 956 GTi – Group C1: Powered by 2.6 liter Porsche 935/79 flat-6 twin turbo, approx. 650 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 820 kg. Aluminium honeycomb monocoque, chassisnr. #106B.

  • HPI 940 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

Meanwhile in Japan

1984 Japanese Silhouette Saloon Series, Nissan Bluebird turbo
Central 20 didn’t only race the turbo Bluebirds but also the LM03 Nissan prototypes. Yanagida took the title in 1983 and 1984 which was the last year of the Silhouette Series.
Central 20 Racing Team #20: Haruhito Yanagida (J)
Results: 1st championship
Nissan Bluebird turbo (K910) –Super Silhouette: Powered by 2.1 liter Nissan LZ20B straight-4 turbo, approx. 570 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 1000 kg. Steel space frame, chassisnr. #unknown

  • TRUE SCALE MINATURES TSM 104315 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #066 Nissan Touring & GT / #007 Coca-Cola

1984 Fuji 500 km, Nissan Fairlady Z Turbo C
In 1983 and 1984, Central 20 Racing Team also competed with support from Nissan. Central 20 relied on the Japanese built LM chassis with the same 4-cylinder Nissan engine as the Silvia turbo C.
Central 20 Racing Team #20: Haruhito Yanagida (J) / Takao Wada (J)
Results: 3rd
Nissan Fairlady Z turbo C – Group C1. Powered by 2.1 liter Nissan LZ20B straight-4 turbo, approx. 600 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 920 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. LM 03C #unknown

  • TRUE SCALE MINIATURES TSM 104317 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #019 Nissan Group C & IMSA GTP / #007 Coca-Cola

1985 Fuji 1000 km, Nissan GTP ZX-T
Central 20 saw that their LM 03C couldn’t compete with the mighty Porsches and choose a different solution. The LM was replaced by a Lola T810 chassis that was developed for IMSA GTP, but could be used in Group C as well. The 4-cylinder engines were traded for a 3.0 V6 turbo engine. The conditions were extreme; After 10 laps 15 teams already had withdrawn because of the torrential rain. Only the Japanese teams continued, but in the end only a quarter of the planned distance was covered
Central 20 Racing Team #30: Haruhito Yanagida (J) / Aguri Suzuki (J)
Results: Start-grid 15th / time 1:20.580 / race 8th – 59 laps
Nissan GTP ZX-T – Group C1. Powered by 3.0 liter Nissan VG30T/C V6 90º twin turbo, approx 650 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Lola T810 #HU03

  • TRUE SCALE MINIATURES TSM 09436 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #019 Nissan Group C & IMSA GTP / #007 Coca-Cola

1985 Fuji 1000 km, Tom’s 85C-Toyota. The first Group C Toyota was the 83C which wasn’t that successful. In 1985 the second generation appeared on track. The chassis were built by Dome and raced by Dome and Toyota’s partner TOM’S in the Japanese championship and also the 1000 km race that counted for the world championship.
Team Ikuzawa #37: Tiff Needell (GB) / James Weaver (GB)
Results: Start-grid 8th / time 1:22.480 / race 5th – 214 laps
Tom’s 85C – Group C1: Powered by 2.1 literToyota 4T-GT straight-4 turbo, approx. 500 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 950 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. Dome #unknown

  • EBBRO Racing Series 45018 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #068 Toyota Protoypes

Audi

2003 Le Mans 24h, Team Goh Audi R8
In 2003, the Joest Audi’s didn’t compete as the Audi-daughter Bentley was supposed to win. The customer Audi teams played second fiddle.
Audi Japan Team Goh #5: Seiji Ara (J) / Jan Magnussen (DK) / Marco Werner (D)
Results: Start-grid 5th / time 3:36.418 / race 4th – 370 laps
Audi R8 (2002) – LMP 900: Powered by 3.6 liter Audi V8 twin turbo, approx. 550 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Audi / Dallara #602

  • IXO Modern Le Mans & GT Cars LMM049 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #018 Audi R8 Customer teams

2003 Le Mans 24h, Audi Sport UK Audi R8
Audi was the underdog, but this was the fastest of the Audi’s. The team retired early in the race because Biela missed the entrance of the pit lane and was forced to do another 9 mile lap, which he couldn’t complete ….
Audi Sport UK (Veloqx) #10: Frank Biela (D) / Perry McCarthy (GB) / Mika Salo (FIN)
Results: Start-grid 3rd / time 3:35.745 / race DNF out of fuel – 28 laps
Audi R8 (2002) – LMP 900: Powered by 3.6 liter Audi V8 twin turbo, approx. 550 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Audi / Dallara #603

  • MINICHAMPS MC400 031399 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #018 Audi R8 Customer teams

2003 Sebring 12h, Audi Sport UK Audi R8
The all new Bentley was the car to beat this year. In the first race of the year this is exactly what Audi did, the Joest entered car won the 12 hour race of Sebring. This Audi UK entry only managed 6th, behind two Audi’s and the Bentley’s, they even had to give way to a Panoz.
Audi Sport UK (Veloqx) #9: Perry McCarthy (GB) / Mika Salo (FIN) / Johnny Kane (GB)
Results: Start-grid 4th / time 1:49.581 / race 6th – 351 laps
Audi R8 (2002) – LMP 900: Powered by 3.6 liter Audi V8 twin turbo, approx. 550 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Audi / Dallara #603

  • IXO Modern Le Mans & GT Cars LMM051 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #018 Audi R8 Customer teams

2003 Sebring 12h, Joest Audi R8
The all new Bentley was the car to beat this year. In the first race of the year this is exactly what Audi did, the Joest entered car won the 12 hour race of Sebring. Joest decided to compete only in the American Le Mans Series this year, leaving Le Mans for Bentley to win.
Infineon Team Joest#1: Frank Biela / Marco Werner / Philipp Peter
Results: Start-grid 1st / time1:48.826 / race 1st – 367 laps
Audi R8 (2002) – LMP 900: Powered by 3.6 liter Audi V8 90º twin turbo, approx. 550 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnrs. Audi / Dallara #604

  • MINICHAMPS MC400 031391 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #016 Joest Audi R8

2004 Sebring 12h, Audi Sport UK Audi R8
At Sebring, the two Veloqx Audis battled with the Champion Audi for the win and all three stood on the podium. In the end the #28 Audi won with a five lap advantage over the Champion car.
Audi Sport UK (Veloqx) #28: Allan McNish (GB) / Frank Biela (D) / Pierre Kaffer (D)
Results: Start-grid 2nd / time 1:48.821 / race 1st – 350 laps
Audi R8 (2002) – LMP1: Powered by 3.6 liter Audi V8 twin turbo, approx. 550 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Audi / Dallara #603

  • MINICHAMPS MC 400 041328 limited 1344 pcs (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #018 Audi R8 Customer teams

2004 Le Mans 24h, Audi Sport UK Audi R8
The semi-works Audi’s from Team Veloqx were among the favourites. The fastest Audi UK car finished in 2nd place 35 seconds behind the winning Goh Audi. McNish crashed his car and his teammates had to drive it after repairs to the finish together because McNish was not able to continue. They managed to finish in 5th spot after all.
Audi Sport UK (Veloqx) #8: Allan McNish (GB) / Frank Biela (D) / Pierre Kaffer (D)
Results: Start-grid 2nd / time 3:33.233 / race 5th – 350 laps

Audi Sport UK (Veloqx) #88: Johnny Herbert (GB) / Guy Smith (GB) / Jamie Davies (GB)
Results: Start-grid 1st / time 3:32.838 / race 2nd – 379 laps
Audi R8 (2002) – LMP1: Powered by 3.6 liter Audi V8 twin turbo, approx. 550 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Audi / Dallara #603 and #604

  • IXO Modern Le Mans & GT Cars LMM059 & LMM060 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appear in #018 Audi R8 Customer teams

Thanks for visiting 😉

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