Idemitsu

1991 LeMans As Volker Weidler, Johnny Herbert, and Bertrand Gachot, drivers of Mazdaspeed Co Ltd's Mazda 787B, awaited the start of the 1991 24 Hour LeMans race, Idemitsu engineers were standing by, arguably as nervous as the drivers. Idemitsu had spent years developing the technology behind the engine oil used in the 787B and were hoping for a problem free fast race by the Mazdaspeed team. 250,000 people gathered on June 22, 1991 to watch the historic 24 Hour LeMans race, and 250,000 people weren't disappointed. They were witness to the first rotary engine driven winner in the history of LeMans. Weidler, Herbert, Gachot, and the Idemitsu engineers could now relax and celebrate the win. The 4708cc 787B finished the race by completing 2 (362 in total) more laps than the closest competitor. The 787B covered a total of 4,923 kilometers (3,059 miles) at an average speed of 205 km/hr (127 mi/hr). For those few who doubted the rotary engine's capability, no doubt could exist any longer.

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