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Chevron B16 Mazda (1970)
Car No.48 Yves Deprez (B), Julian Vernaeve (B)
Qualified 41st (4'24.2)
Withdrew from the race after 1 hour, 26 minutes due to engine trouble
Mazda's Rotary engine, debuted in 1966, had already participated at Le Mans by 1970. It was the first time in history that a Japanese engine had participated at Le Mans.
The car was equipped with the 2-rotary 491cc 10A engine. It was close to the same specification as the engine found in the Familia Rotary Coupe which, at that time, was participating in the European Touring Car Championship (ETC), running remarkably well. The Chevron B16 chassis, made by Chevron Cars Ltd., in the UK, was a 2.0 litre-class sports coupe. The two drivers also participated in the ETC with the Familia Rotary Coupe.
In the final race, engine trouble in the early stages meant the car had to be withdrawn. However, the Chevron B16 Mazda became known as the first Le Mans entry ever to be equipped with a rotary engine.
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