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MAZDA MX-R01 (1992)
Car No. 5: B. Gachot / J. Herbert / V. Weidler.
Car No. 6: T. Yorino / Y. Terada / M. Sarah.
Qualified: 1st (#5 - 3'34.32), 10th (#6)
Race: 4th (#5), withdrawn (#6)
Conforming to the new Group C and Sportscar World Championship (SWC) regulations, Mazda cooperated with UK company Judd to develop a reciprocating 3-litre V10 engine, the "MV10". The new engine was installed on what was also a new chassis, the "Mazda MX-R01," which made its debut in 1992 at the All-Japan Sports Prototype car Championship's opening round, the "Suzuka 500km". The high revolution engine generated 600ps and was completely different to any rotary engine, with explosive power, response, power output character, and confused the drivers at first. However, after withdrawing from its debut race, the machine appeared in the first two rounds of the SWC at Monza and Silverstone, bringing further development.
At 1992's Le Mans, all eyes were focused on the battle between the Peugeot 905 and Toyota TS010 entries, then the leading machines of the new Group C regulations. Mazdaspeed brought two MX-R01s to the race and was regarded as the third force. Once the main race had started however, the #5 MX-R01, which had started from 7th on the grid, moved smoothly up to the front, taking the lead on the sixth lap under rainy conditions. The machine maintained the top spot for over an hour and half. Weidler, who took the wheel 2 stints in a row, coolly said, "This is a race. As a racing driver, everyone will try to lead if given the chance, this is how it is!" They later handed the lead over to the local heroes, Peugeot, as the MX-R01 coped with minor problems such as a blown right head valve and misting windshield as it counted down the laps. After the #6 MX-R01 crashed out of the race in the middle of the night, driver M. Sarah was registered as a support driver for the #5 car. Coping with continued minor troubles, the #5 machine crossed the finish line after24 hours' racing in 4th place overall. The team took an unexpected result at their first Le Mans with a V10 engine, bringing the hope of further performance for the following season. However Mazda announced the suspension of its Le Mans campaign in October of that year. Mazdaspeed's works' race activities closed down at that time.
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