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While the Fuji Speedway will host exactly one month apart, the second round of the Asian Le Mans Series in 2013 ( on September 20th ) and the sixth round of the World Endurance FIA ( on October 20th) , we look back to three stories of Japanese cars running in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

1991 : Mazda , the pioneer victory. In the late 80s and early 90s , while Honda completely dominated Formula 1, Nissan, Toyota and Mazda wereendeavouring to win at Le Mans. It was finally the last named who made ​​history on June 23rd, 1991 . Briton Johnny Herbert , Belgian Bertrand Gachot and Austrian Volker Weidler also required the expensive  rotary technology  engined Mazda to win the race and that remains twenty-two years later the only Japanese manufactured winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans . It was a truly national event in Japan, which had interrupted all television programmes and the race was broadcast live by the end of the race after the 787B No. 55 took the lead late on Sunday morning !

Masanori Sekiya and Seiji Ara , the winners . Four years after the victory of Mazda , Masanori Sekiya is the first Japanese driver to win the 24 Hours in association with the French driver Yannick Dalmas and Finn JJ Lehto in a McLaren F1 GTR . In 2004, it was the turn of Seiji Ara to be up on the top step of the podium at the Sarthe . At the wheel of an Audi R8 , in association  with Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen , who equalled that day the record for victories by Jacky Ickx with a sixth win . Remember also that Toshio Suzuki , Keiichi Tsuchiya and Ukyo Katayama were the only 100% Japanese crew on the podium of the 24 Hours , with their second place in 1999 ( with a Toyota GT- One) .

Yojiro Terada , the record holder . A historical overview of Japan in the 24 Hours of Le Mans can not forget Yojiro Terada : with twenty- nine starts , he is the most loyal Japanese drivers in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only Frenchman Henri Pescarolo (33 entries ) and Bob Wollek (30) did better . His story at the Sarthe is primarily related to Mazda , with which he recorded his best results ( seventh in 1995 and eighth in 1991) , out of a total of seventeen occasions when driving cars from the Japanese manufacturer.

Jean -Philippe Doret / ACO

Photo: CIRCUIT OF THE 24 HOURS ( Le Mans , Sarthe ), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS , 22nd & 23rd June 1991 . First (and still the only one so far ) Japanese prototype to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans , the Mazda 787B is now regarded in its country as a national treasure .