Mazda Motorsports today announced that it will sell racing versions of its new SKYACTIV-D CLEAN DIESEL engines to teams competing in the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LM P2) class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

The Le Mans engine programme will make its debut at the 2013 running of the race.  Mazda was the first – and to this day, remains the only – Asian manufacturer to score an overall win at the race, in 1991, with the rotary-engined Mazda 787B of Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler and Bertrand Gachot.

Jay Amestoy, Vice President of Mazda Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) said: “This reopens our love affair with Le Mans. In 1991 we made history, winning with rotary technology.  Now we’re looking to return to the winner’s circle with what we believe will be the most advanced and cleanest production-based powerplant the sport has ever seen.  We’ll do it in current Mazda style, with engines being available for sale to European and U.S. customers competing in the LMP2 class for both the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).”

The engines are being developed jointly by Mazda Motor Corporation, Mazda North American Operations and SpeedSource Race Engineering.  Dyno testing has already begun and on-track testing begins in late 2012. 

The engines will be stock-block Mazda SKYACTIV-D 2.2-litre diesel four-cylinder, dual-stage turbocharged powerplants.  According to John Doonan, MNAO’s Director of Mazda Motorsports, “will deliver outstanding performance and fuel economy coupled with the kind of quality, durability and reliability needed to produce great street cars and win endurance races.”

Mr. Masahiro Moro, Executive Officer in charge of global sales and marketing of Mazda Motor Corporation, made the following comment:  "Mazda has fostered the culture of 'never stop challenging.'  And it was this spirit that drove us through 18 consecutive years of racing at Le Mans, until we finally triumphed in 1991.  In fact, it is this same spirit that laid the foundation for the portfolio of SKYACTIV Technologies.  This was realized thanks to a number of technological breakthroughs.  I am pleased that we will be supporting our private customers who are taking up the Le Mans challenge by supplying race engines as a customer-program based on our SKYACTIV-D CLEAN DIESEL."

Sitting alongside the gentlemen from Mazda at the launch was President of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, Pierre Fillon, who said of the news: 

 

"The ACO is very pleased that Mazda is returning to endurance racing. Mazda has a great history at Le Mans, as the only Japanese car manufacturer to win the 24 Hours twenty-one years ago. This is excellent news for the competitors of the LMP2 category, who will benefit a new production engine. Welcome back!”

Fiona Miller

Photo: CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES (LE MANS, SARTHE), 2012 24 HOURS OF LE MANS.  The Mazda SKYACTIV-D diesel-powered LM P2 car which is due to make its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013.