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MAZDA 717C (1983)
Car No. 60: Y. Katayama / Y. Terada / T. Yorino Car No. 61: J. Alan / S. Soper / J. Weaver
Qualified: 43rd (#61 - 4'05.92), 44th (#60 - 4'06.13)
Race: 12th (#60 w/302 laps completed), 18th (#61 w/267 laps completed)
In 1983, the race saw a total of 40 Group C machines taking part, with entries from Lancia, Aston Martin, and Peugeot, who were determined to break the domination of the Porsche 956. There were also privateer Porsche entries, along with cars from Rondeau and Sauber. Mazdaspeed sent two of its MAZDA 717Cs with the 13B-RE engine to contest the Group C junior class, which had been newly established that year. Driver line ups included the Rotary trio of Yorino, Terada and Mazda works' captain Katayama joined by a trio of Britons at the wheel of the other car.
The 717C was a purely Japanese-made challenger, penned by Japanese designers and with uniquely streamlined bodywork designed to take advantage of the Les Hunaudieres straight. With these characteristics, the car was called the "Soramame (horse bean) model". The aerodynamically designed machine proved its effectiveness in qualifying, releasing the team from its regular anxiety of being on the borderline during these sessions. However, the Le Mans regulations imposed a fuel limitation of 1430 litres on Mazdaspeed, which had entered the new Group C junior class. Within an hour of the start of the race, the #61 car, driven by the British trio, suffered a puncture and damaged rear cowl, repairs losing the team approximately one hour.
Meanwhile, the Japanese trio had no major trouble apart from two flat tyres in the early part of the race, and looked to be in good shape after managing their fuel mileage well. They were even calm enough to rendezvous with the other 717C so that both cars crossed the finish line together. Their result was an excellent 12th overall - the best to date by a Japanese entry. They also took the first Group C junior class victory.
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