Stefan Johansson will drive the precursor model to Mazda’s successful 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans attempt at the Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival.
In fact, Johansson contested the 1990 race as part of the factory Mazdaspeed squad in the first iteration of the future race winning 787. The effort led by Australian ex-pat Alan Docking and having Jacky Ickx as a consultant won the IMSA GTP Class with the third-string elder 767B entered for three Japanese drivers.
Both 787s retired through engine and electrical problems by the 14 hour mark, but laid the groundwork for the Le Mans success in 1991.
Mazda was on a tight schedule to secure victory due to a regulation change making the rotary ineligible from 1992.
Johansson enjoyed a storied career in Formula 1 starting at Spirit before joining Tyrrell, Toleman, Ferrari, McLaren and finished at Ligier in 1988.
The Swede became a reliable driver in sports car racing and secured an illusive 24 Hours of Le Mans victory in 1997 with BMW.
Now a noted driver manager, Johansson has been a regular at the Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival and will drive a 767B at this year’s event.
The 2025 edition will occur on March 8-9.