How This Car Changed History, And Got BANNED

Summary

In June 1991, Mazda defied all odds at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, securing a historic victory with their 787B, the first Japanese team to do so. Despite facing skepticism and rule changes that threatened to disqualify their rotary engine, Mazda's underdog team, led by a former prisoner, a rookie, and a driver with a severe injury, persevered. Their revolutionary 787B, with its advanced four-rotor engine and carbon fiber monocoque, showcased remarkable reliability and efficiency. As the race unfolded, major competitors faltered, and Mazda, starting from a disadvantaged position, climbed to the lead, ultimately winning in a dramatic finish that captivated Japan and the racing world.

Takeaways

• 🏁 The script tells the story of Mazda's historic win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991 with the Mazda 787B.
• 🔧 Mazda's rotary engine, designed by Felix Wankel, was revolutionary but faced skepticism and lack of competitiveness in racing.
• 🚧 The 787B was a technological marvel with innovations like a full carbon fiber monocoque, aerodynamic design, and a continuously variable intake system.
• 💰 Mazda's underdog status was due to consistent failures and rule changes that favored other engines, but they persisted with the rotary engine.
• 🌐 The 1991 race was Mazda's last chance to prove the rotary engine's viability before it was to be outlawed by new racing regulations.
• 🏎️ The 787B's success was attributed to its efficiency and reliability, which were more critical in endurance racing than outright speed.
• 🤷‍♂️ The team behind the 787B included a diverse and unlikely group of drivers, including a former prisoner, a rookie, and a veteran with severe injuries.
• 📉 Despite starting in a disadvantaged position due to rule penalties, the Mazda 787B managed to climb through the ranks during the race.
• 🛑 Mercedes' mechanical issues and strategic errors allowed the Mazda 787B to take the lead and ultimately win the race.
• 🇯🇵 Mazda's victory was a significant moment for Japan, marking the first time a Japanese team won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
• 🎉 The story is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and the underdog spirit that triumphed against the odds in one of the world's most grueling races.

Q & A

What significant event took place on June 24, 1991, involving Mazda?

On June 24, 1991, Mazda won the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race with their Mazda 787B, marking the first time a Japanese team won the prestigious event.

What was unique about the rotary engine designed by Felix Wankel?

The rotary engine, designed by Felix Wankel, was revolutionary due to its lightweight, simple, and compact design. It used a new way of exploding fuel, which was different from traditional reciprocating engines.

Why was Mazda's racing history prior to the 1991 Le Mans win considered unsuccessful?

Mazda's racing history was considered unsuccessful because they often did not finish races, struggled to be competitive, and faced mechanical failures. Their rotary engine, despite being innovative, did not bring them consistent success in racing.

What changes did Mazda make to their 787 model to create the 787B?

Mazda made several significant changes to the 787 model to create the 787B. They included a full carbon fiber monocoque, aerodynamically designed body, carbon brakes, and a revised four-rotor R26B engine with ceramic apex seals, three spark plugs per rotor, and a continuously variable intake system.

Why was the rotary engine facing potential obsolescence after the 1991 racing season?

The rotary engine was facing potential obsolescence due to upcoming rule changes by the FIA that favored standard 3.5-liter engines, similar to Formula One standards, which would effectively outlaw the unique and experimental rotary engine.

What was the strategy behind Mazda's approach to the 1991 Le Mans race?

Mazda's strategy focused on efficiency and reliability over pure speed for the 1991 Le Mans race. They detuned their engine to 700 horsepower to ensure reliability and trained their drivers to use the least amount of fuel while maintaining respectable lap times.

Who were the three drivers of the winning Mazda 787B team in the 1991 Le Mans race?

The three drivers of the winning Mazda 787B team were Bertrand Gachot from Belgium, Volker Strycek from Germany, and Johnny Herbert from the UK.

What challenges did Johnny Herbert face that made his participation in the race particularly remarkable?

Johnny Herbert had a horrific accident in 1988 that nearly severed one of his feet and severely damaged the other. Doctors told him his racing career was over, but he returned to racing in 1989 and was part of the winning team in the 1991 Le Mans race.

Why was the Mazda 787B initially given a lower starting position in the 1991 Le Mans race?

The Mazda 787B was given a lower starting position because it did not adhere to the new FIA rules that favored Formula One standards. As a result, it was placed behind the top 10 spots reserved for cars that followed the rules.

How did the underdog status of the Mazda team contribute to their victory in the 1991 Le Mans race?

The underdog status of the Mazda team allowed them to start with a lighter car due to less ballast, which was overlooked by the officials. This, combined with their focus on efficiency and reliability, enabled them to outlast and overtake the heavier, more powerful cars from Mercedes and Porsche.

What was the significance of Mazda's victory in the 1991 Le Mans race for Japan and the rotary engine?

Mazda's victory in the 1991 Le Mans race was significant as it was the first time a Japanese team won the event. It also served as a testament to the rotary engine's viability as a racing platform, despite being outlawed in the following years.

Outlines

00:00

🏁 The Underdog Triumph: Mazda's Historic Win at Le Mans

This paragraph recounts the momentous occasion in June 1991 when Japan's Mazda 787B secured a historic victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The nation watched with bated breath as the underdog team, often considered losers, defied expectations and won a race deemed unwinnable. The rotary engine, a unique Mazda innovation, was the heart of their triumph. Despite past failures and the looming threat of the engine being outlawed, Mazda's determination led to a revolutionary car design. The 787B, with its four-rotor R26B engine, was a testament to Mazda's engineering prowess. The narrative sets the stage for a tale of perseverance and the ultimate victory against all odds.

05:02

🔧 Engineering Marvel: The Mazda 787B's Technological Edge

The second paragraph delves into the technical marvel that was the Mazda 787B, designed by Nigel Stroud, who had prior experience with the Porsche 956 and Formula One. The 787B featured a full carbon fiber monocoque chassis, carbon brakes, and a continuously variable intake system that allowed it to produce nearly 900 horsepower. Despite its potential, Mazda detuned the engine to 700 horsepower for reliability and efficiency in endurance racing. The car's strategy was centered around its efficiency, with drivers racing to use the least amount of fuel while maintaining speed. The paragraph also introduces the diverse and unlikely team of drivers, each with their own unique story, who would pilot the 787B in the race.

10:05

🏎️ Against the Odds: The Dramatic Race and Victory

The final paragraph describes the dramatic race at Le Mans, where the Mazda 787B, despite starting in 19th place and being burdened with additional ballast due to rule violations, managed to climb to fourth place by nightfall. The team's strategy and the car's reliability paid off as they overcame more favored teams like Mercedes and Peugeot. The马自达 team, led by Jackie Eeks, capitalized on the misfortunes of their competitors and pushed the 787B to its limits. Driver Johnny Herbert, despite physical challenges, kept pace and helped secure the lead. The马自达 787B's victory was a testament to the team's resilience and the rotary engine's capabilities, marking Japan's first win at Le Mans and cementing Mazda's place in racing history.

Keywords

💡Mazda 787B

The Mazda 787B is a race car that is central to the video's narrative. It was a revolutionary vehicle for its time, featuring a four-rotor rotary engine, which was both powerful and efficient. The car's design and engineering allowed it to compete at the highest level of endurance racing, as evidenced by its historic win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991. The script describes the car's development and the challenges it faced, culminating in its underdog victory.

💡24 Hours of Le Mans

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a prestigious endurance racing event that serves as the backdrop for the video's story. It is a test of both the car's mechanical reliability and the drivers' physical and mental endurance over a full day of racing. The script highlights the significance of Mazda's victory in this race, marking the first time a Japanese team won this event, and the challenges they overcame to achieve this feat.

💡Rotary Engine

The rotary engine, designed by Felix Wankel, is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a different principle than traditional piston engines. It is characterized by its compact and lightweight design, which made it ideal for racing applications. The script discusses Mazda's commitment to this engine type, despite initial setbacks and the eventual phasing out of such engines in racing due to new regulations.

💡Underdog

The term 'underdog' is used in the script to describe Mazda's position in the racing world before their Le Mans victory. It refers to a competitor who is not expected to win but manages to defy the odds. The script paints Mazda as an underdog that, against all expectations, emerged victorious, which is a key element of the video's theme of overcoming adversity.

💡Endurance Racing

Endurance racing is a form of motorsport where races are won not just by speed, but by the ability to maintain performance over a long period. The script emphasizes the importance of reliability and efficiency in endurance racing, as exemplified by the Mazda 787B's performance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

💡Carbon Fiber Monocoque

A carbon fiber monocoque is a type of chassis made from carbon fiber, which is both extremely strong and lightweight. The script mentions that the Mazda 787B featured a full carbon fiber monocoque, which contributed to the car's high performance and handling capabilities, giving it a competitive edge in the race.

💡Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics is the study of how air moves around objects, and in the context of racing, it refers to the design of a car to reduce air resistance and increase stability at high speeds. The script describes how the Mazda 787B was designed with aerodynamics in mind, specifically for the Mulsanne Straight, to maximize top speed.

💡Continuously Variable Intake System

The continuously variable intake system is a feature of the Mazda 787B's engine that allows it to maintain optimal power output across a wide range of engine speeds. The script explains that this system, along with other engine innovations, made the car incredibly efficient and powerful, contributing to its success at Le Mans.

💡Detune

To detune an engine means to reduce its power output, often to improve reliability or efficiency. The script mentions that Mazda detuned the 787B's engine from nearly 900 horsepower to 700 horsepower to enhance its endurance racing performance, highlighting the importance of reliability over sheer speed in such events.

💡Jackie Eeks

Jackie Eeks is mentioned in the script as the Belgian man who spearheaded Mazda's team at the 1991 Le Mans race. His strategic decisions, such as pushing the team to take advantage of the Mercedes team's issues, played a crucial role in Mazda's victory, illustrating the importance of team leadership and strategy in racing.

💡Wankel Rotary Engine

The Wankel rotary engine is a specific type of rotary engine named after its inventor, Felix Wankel. The script uses this term to refer to the unique engine technology that powered the Mazda 787B. The victory of the Mazda 787B at Le Mans was a testament to the potential of this engine type, despite it being phased out due to new racing regulations.

Highlights

On June 1991, Japan witnessed a historic event as the Mazda 787B won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking a significant moment in automotive history.

Mazda's rotary engine, designed by Felix Wankel, was a revolutionary lightweight and compact engine, despite facing skepticism in the racing world.

Mazda's racing history was filled with challenges and failures, including mechanical issues and lack of competitiveness at Le Mans.

The 787B was a technological marvel, featuring a full carbon fiber monocoque, aerodynamic design, and advanced engine technology.

The 787B's engine had ceramic apex seals, three spark plugs per rotor, and a continuously variable intake system, capable of producing nearly 900 horsepower.

Mazda detuned the 787B's engine to 700 horsepower for increased efficiency and reliability in endurance racing.

The 787B's strategy focused on fuel efficiency and reliability, setting it apart from other teams aiming for speed.

The winning team of the 787B included a diverse group of drivers with unique backgrounds and personal challenges.

Driver Johnny Herbert overcame a severe accident and was told his racing career was over, yet he played a crucial role in the 787B's victory.

The 787B started the race in 19th place due to rule changes and penalties but managed to climb up during the race.

Mazda's underdog status and the team's resilience led to an unexpected second place before the race's final hours.

The Mercedes team faced mechanical issues, allowing the Mazda 787B to take the lead in the final stages of the race.

Japanese TV was entirely focused on the race as Mazda, the underdog, led the world's most prestigious endurance race.

Johnny Herbert's perseverance and physical challenges during the race exemplified the spirit of endurance racing.

Mazda's victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans was a testament to the rotary engine's viability and a defiance of the rules that would later outlaw it.

Mazda's win was the first for a Japanese team at Le Mans, marking a significant achievement for the country and its automotive industry.

Transcripts

on a sunday in june 1991

an entire country is silently watching

tv you see history is about to be

defined

their hearts are full of pride the mazda

peak their hands clenched eyes wide open

787b didn't first night

every single channel in japan broadcasts

the same message an entire nation's ears

are perked to the broadcast of telugu

for the first time in their lives japan

is winning winning a fight thought to be

unwinnable the most grueling battle of

the world's nations

fought not with tanks and bombs

but with petrol tires clenched teeth and

pure guts

on this day during the 59th running of

the 24 hours of le mans david finally

kills goliath a plucky little team of

downtrodden underdogs prove to the world

that not only are they a challenger but

that they are kings this is the story of

the mazda787b

[Music]

this isn't a story about winners though

this is a story about losers that won

you see the team at mazda shouldn't have

actually won they kind of never did let

me set the stage you see back in the

1960s mazda had a new engine that they

were very proud of and that of course is

the rotary engine designed by felix

wenkel this was a new revolutionary way

of exploding fuel it was lightweight it

was simple and it was compact but you

see mazda was kind of the only ones that

really believed in it in their first

touring car race they didn't even get on

the podium and that pretty much was

mazda's racing luck sure they dreamed of

winning le mans but they were never

really competitive they did have a

promising race car the mc74

which of course broke down and never

even finished the race the rx-7 le mans

car didn't even qualify then in 1984 by

some miracle they won a race in a car

designed by lola called the t616 of

course this isn't all that important

because this is a slower class but hey

at least for once the rotary engine won

but then it was quickly back to

failure with the 757 the 767 the 767b

every year that mazda entered the race

they were crushed by the competition but

in 1990 they had come out with a new

incredible race car the 787

gone was the little two rotor 13b and in

its place was the massive four rotor

r26b and then on a cold morning in 1990

the drivers left the line and none of

the 787s even finished one had a little

bit of engine trouble and the other one

well it just caught on fire and gave up

for decades the rotary engine had been

giving its all but by the end of the

1990 racing season there wasn't much

hope for it and on the horizon were rule

changes that pretty much doomed it in a

few years the rotary engine would be

outlawed completely

look for those of you that don't know

racin there are three things that matter

on a race track the car the driver and

the rules you see cars in the 1980s were

getting a bit too fast so the rules

started to change the fellas in charge

of le mans the fia wanted everyone to

start to adhere to formula one standards

which meant that all the cool crazy

experimental engines of the 80s were

about to be abandoned for standard 3.5

liter engines and these new rules were

going to go into effect in the 1992

season and i know you might have heard

an old wives tale that the 787b was

outlawed because it was too loud or too

fast

and yes while it was very loud track

officials even warned spectators that it

was coming because it was so loud they

needed to cover their ears

the truth is far more humbling it was

being outlawed because of some boring

rulebook so mazda knew that in 1991 this

was their last chance to prove that the

rotary engine was a viable racing

platform so with that in mind they went

back to the drawing board they pushed

the 787 into the shop and got to work

what rolled out of that shot was nothing

short of a technological marvel

seriously there was nothing like the

787b before designed by nigel stroud a

man who worked on the porsche 956 and

cut his teeth in formula one stroud's

new 787b was lighter he had convinced

mazdaspeed to spend the money and get a

full carbon fiber monocoque with a body

aerodynamically formed in a wind tunnel

designed to maximize top speed on the

mulsanne straight it had carbon brakes

which was a revolution at the time and

most importantly they had totally

revised the four rotor r26b engine this

new version had ceramic apex seals

three spark plugs per rotor and an

insane and revolutionary continuously

variable intake system that essentially

made the car able to stay in its power

band like the entire time think of vtec

on steroids this meant that the car was

able to produce nearly 900 horsepower

almost instantly and was incredibly

efficient at it and then mazda went and

detuned it to 700 horsepower to make it

even more efficient and more reliable

because this is endurance racing and

reliable and efficient are more

important than speed i know generations

later after dealing with the rx-7s and

the rx-8s of the past it's kind of hard

to think about but in 1991 mazda had the

most reliable efficient engine in the

race and it was a rotary sure insert

your apex steel jokes here but like

everything is different on a race track

when you push a car for that long to its

very limits all stereotypes fall by the

wayside the car was so efficient and

reliable that they based their almost

whole strategy of racing around it in

training instead of the drivers trying

to get the best lap times they raced to

see who could use the least amount of

fuel while still maintaining a

respectable lap wrapped in the now

iconic orange and green renowned livery

the 787b was like nothing else with its

high revving engine with its insane

torque curve and wild aerodynamics tuned

for the straights all that was left for

muscle speed was to find drivers that

could actually tame this angry beast

to go the distance in a car that was

constantly trying to kill them mazda

needed the absolute best what they got

was a formula 3 driver a prisoner and a

man who doctors said could never race

again mazda's team was french but was

spearheaded by a belgian man named

jackie eeks the drivers were from

everywhere including belgium sweden

ireland and japan there were two teams

of 787bs in that 1991 race but today

we're just gonna talk about the winners

belgium's bertrand garcia germany's

bulker viedler and hailing from the uk

the mad man himself johnny herbert

bertrand started the season in prison

thanks to an assault on a cab driver

yeah the dude sprayed a cab driver with

cs gas over some road rage spent a few

months in prison and then went racing

volker had driven the porsche 962c in le

mans previously but had very few wins

under his belt johnny herbert was a

formula racing veteran who had an

absolutely horrific accident in 1988

when his formula car slammed into a

barrier nearly severing one of his feet

and severely damaging the other doctors

had to work on him constantly and they

told him that his racing career was over

however in 1989 he found himself back

behind the wheel he found it really

difficult to press the brake pedal and

he couldn't run for the le mans start

but he could win together this team of

wacky individuals a prisoner a rookie

and a man with a limp set out on june 22

1991 to rewrite history

[Music]

it's three o'clock in france the 24

hours of le mans has just begun the

number 55 mazda 787b is all the way back

in 19th place despite qualifying for a

better spot you see thanks to rule

changes and the fia's desire to have

everything be like formula 1 the top 10

spots were reserved for people who

followed the rules and the 787b

did not follow the rules so it started

way in the back additionally the penalty

for not following those rules was you

added 200 kilograms of ballast to your

car which is about 440 pounds for those

of us using the hamburger system the

ballast didn't really make that big of a

difference as the race started the

mercedes team with all the extra ballast

piloted by none other than michael

schumacher himself quickly pulled ahead

of the peugeot team that did not have

the ballast the raw power and skill of

the mercedes teams meant they were

favored to win the race 400 pounds be

damned against all odds though right

behind the mercedes powerhouse was a

team that no one expected to see the

number 55 mazda 787b which as night fell

had climbed up to fourth place you see

no one not even mazda themselves really

believed that the 787b was going to be

competitive so when it came time to hand

out that extra ballast jackie east was

actually able to convince officials that

the mazda 787b was powered by a small

displacement naturally aspirated engine

and no other team thought to question it

because no one really cared they thought

the mazda team was just kind of cute so

the 787b left the line with a

lightweight 830 kilograms ready to hunt

down and overtake those heavy 1000

kilogram mercedes benzes and porsches

the big manufacturer's lack of respect

for the mazda team eventually ended up

being their downfall as night fell upon

that track in france the mercedes team

could not shake the mazda then one by

one the mercedes all kind of fell apart

the number 31 had gearbox issues number

32 ran into some debris and suddenly the

underdog mazda team was in second place

in first was the number one team

mercedes and the team at mazda speed

could smell blood in the water as the

race drags on jackie eeks notices that

the number one mercedes is taking a

slower pace he reasons that they're

trying to conserve fuel you see the

extra weight and larger engine was

starting to take its toll and even

though jackie is usually very cautious

he tells the team to push it

and then in the 11th hour or sometime

around the 22nd hour i guess pushed to

its limits by the angry pack of bees

behind it nipping at its heels the

mercedes-benz begins to overheat and has

to pit in letting the underdog

mazda787b finally take the lead

throughout the course of this race the

little loser team from japan that nobody

thought was going to be in the top 10

was suddenly number one all of japanese

tv was tuned into this race at this

point as japan was leading the world's

most prestigious endurance race a ragtag

group of ruffians driving a strange car

with a stranger engine was ahead of auto

industry titans mercedes jaguar porsche

were all sniffing the exhaust fumes of a

mazda to stay ahead they had johnny

herbert do a double stint at the finish

you know the guy with the broken feet by

the end of the race he had no water he

was dehydrated as hell his ankle was

killing him the pain was so bad he

almost passed out on top of that he had

stomach problems he was nauseous he was

anxious he was exhausted he was

stretched so thin you could see through

him but he kept pace the wild rotary

engine had finally proven itself in its

dying breath of the lama series as a

giant middle finger to the officials

that outlawed it the wankel rotary

engine pushed past everyone and its

horrifying screen echoed through the

valleys of france as it finally crossed

the checkered line first place to team

mazda as herbert finally passed under

the checkered flag in the 787b the newly

crowned champion was in pretty rough

shape he had to be dragged out of the

car and put into an ambulance herbert

didn't even get to stand on the podium

but that's the beauty of endurance

racing it's both a test of man and

machine and on that day in 1991 mazda

and in its place all of japan took that

test and passed to become the first team

from japan to win the 24 hours of le

mans the cumulative effort of dozens of

engineers and drivers and mechanics the

end result of loss after loss after loss

was gold pure gold and that is the story

of how mazda and japan finally won the

24 hours of le mans i hope you enjoyed

watching consider subscribing to ideal

cars and as always it's been ideal

hanging out with you guys see you in the

next one later

[Music]

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