Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B set for Monterey Reunion

This year's four-day celebration of motor racing’s yesteryear at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will feature hundreds of historic cars during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, and among the special entries, a global icon will be present with Mazda’s 1991 787B.

The first Japanese race car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be a centerpiece during this year’s mid-August event which is dedicated to Japanese motorsport, and the 787B, in its popular Charge livery, will complement many of Mazda North American Operations' standard contribution to the Reunion.

"What a thrill to have the 787B joining us in Monterey," said Mazda Motorsports’ Jonathan Applegate. "That sound and that livery are synonymous with Mazda's victory at Le Mans. It is such a treat for fans to be able to see and hear it in person in the U.S. Added alongside our Mazda Heritage Collection and others, we'll truly have a panoramic view of Mazda's racing history."

Under the leadership of Applegate’s predecessor John Doonan before he became the president of IMSA, Mazda became a mainstay at the Reunion with annual appearances from its two- and four-rotor IMSA GTU, GTO, GTP and Group C cars. Mazda RX-7s, 767Bs, 787s and RX7-92Ps became fixtures at the event, and with the inclusion of the 787B, fans will have a deep collection containing many of the brand’s most important racing models.

In what started the better part of 15 years ago by Doonan, the start-up and engine-warming process for the rotary-powered cars has developed into a daily event of its own where the shrieking and flame-spitting Mazdas draw massive crowds to film and share the otherworldly experience.

Acura/Honda, along with Nissan, Toyota, and other major Japanese brands will also be represented during the Aug. 12-15 showcase.