Japan was ruling the world of motorsports from the late 80s to the early 90s. Honda was in partnership with McLaren, dominating Formula 1. Toyota, Subaru, and Mitsubishi were having their success in the WRC, and Nissan was beating BMWs and Porsches with their Skyline GT-R R32.

Mazda, on the other hand, was a much smaller car manufacturer than the other Japanese marques mentioned. But they dreamed big and won big, conquering the world's most prestigious endurance race in the world by winning the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans with their Mazda 787B racecar, and remains to date, the only rotary-engined car to do so. Here are some interesting facts about the first Japanese car to win in Le Mans.

8 The 787B Raced In The Group C Era

via : 24-hlemans

Mazda entered the 787B in the Group C class, a formula designed primarily for the World Endurance Championship that includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The class started in 1984 until it was replaced in 1993.

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In this class, the FIA focused more on capping fuel consumption than engine capacity. Cars were allowed a minimum weight of 800kg, and maximum fuel was limited to 100 liters. With that being said, the Group C class saw the fastest ever speed trap in the Mulsanne straight of the Circuit de la Sarthe, with the WM-Peugeot P88 reaching 405kph during the 1988 event.

RELATED: 15 Of The Most Epic Looking Cars That Won The 24 Hours Of Le Mans

7 The 717C And 767B Was Its Predecessor

via drivetribe

For those who didn't know, the 787B was not Mazda's first prototype that won in Le Mans. That distinction belongs to the 717C, a Group C junior class prototype that used a 13B two-rotor engine. That's right rotary fans, they used the RX-7's engine for the endurance race.

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It proved once and for all that the Wankel rotary engine was a threat to its European rivals, and Mazda would increasingly become competitive when the 767B finished 7th and 9th overall in the 1989 race, then finally taking the overall win with the 787B in 1991.

RELATED: The Hidden Truth Behind Mazda's Rotary Engine

6 Formula One Drivers Drove The 787B

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Mazda had a three-car entry going into the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, with two 787Bs and one older 787. Johnny Herbert was in the eventual race-winning number 55 787B, who was also at the time racing in F1 for Team Lotus.

via : the independent

The number 18 787B had Stefan Johansson, a Swedish racing driver who previously drove for Ferrari and McLaren in Formula One.

RELATED: 15 Rules Every Formula One Driver Has To Follow

5 Four-Rotor Engine

via : jalopnik

The main aspect of the 787B's success over its predecessor was the arrival of a new engine. Called the R26B, the custom-built four-rotor was an improvement over the 13J engine, with variable length intake runners and three spark plugs per rotor.

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Mazda paired the new engine to a five-speed gearbox from Porsche, and its intake was designed to scoop air from the front of the car before exiting in front of the windscreen.

4 Limited Power Output

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In qualifying trim, the R26B engine can put out in excess of 930hp and a whopping 10,500rpm redline. But for the race, Mazda's engineers limited the 787B to 8,500rpm and 650hp to improve reliability and longevity.

Mazda 787B
Via Autoforum CZ

The team prioritized fuel efficiency as their main target for achieving victory in the endurance race, and in regard to setup, they emphasized high cornering speed rather than straight-line speed.

3 The Car Was An Underdog

via mazda

Mazda was at a disadvantage compared to its rivals as they entered the 1991 Le Mans race in the C2 class. It meant that they had to adhere to the fuel consumption rule that Group C was founded on, compared to the C1 class cars which used 3.5-liter Formula One-inspired NA engines.

via japanesenostalgiccar

They even only qualified 19th, 23rd, and 30th, as they were moved seven places back when the new C1 class was given priority in the grid positions.

2 Renown Livery

via : roadandtrack

Mazda only brought the bright orange and green livery to the #55 787B driven by Herbert, Gachot, and Weidler as an honor to their clothing sponsor Renown. The #18 and #56 787s had the traditional white and blue Mazda color scheme.

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It would then go down in history as one of the most recognizable and iconic racing liveries the world has ever seen.

1 It Worked Flawlessly

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Mazda came from behind and shook everyone with the superior fuel efficiency and reliability of the rotary-engined 787B. Luck has also played its part in the success, with them only taking the lead at the 22nd hour when the leading Sauber C11 was forced to pit due to a mechanical problem.

via : autoclassics

As a result, the #55 Mazda took the checkered flag after 362 laps and 4,932.2km, also a then-new record as the Circuit de la Sarthe was modified. The other Mazdas finished 6th and 8th. Other than a broken headlight bulb, only a precautionary wheel bearing change was the issue for the winning 787B, along with the routine brake pad and rotor change which was expected during its pit stops.

NEXT: Rotary Engine Lives On With Mazda RX-10 Vision Renders