Tag Archives: le mans
MOTORSPORT: A history of Toyota’s heartbreaks at Le Mans, Part 02
In Part 01, Toyota ended 1992’s 24 Hours of Le Mans with a second place finish, their best to date, in the TS010. Surprisingly, a 3.6-liter Toyota 92C-V fielded by Trust (GReddy) based on the older generation of Group C racers took … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: A history of Toyota’s heartbreaks at Le Mans, Part 01
This week we learned that Toyota’s Le Mans curse remains firmly in tact, having robbed the team of what seemed like a sure-fire victory. The loss, due to a comically unfortunate mistake perpetrated by another team, prompted President Akio Toyoda … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Why Toyota needs to win Le Mans this weekend
One of the world’s great motoring contests, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, takes place this weekend. Toyota was already a strong favorite to win, but now even more so after Kamui Kobayashi pulverized the track record during his qualifying lap. If he wins, it … Continue reading
MINICARS: Lego JNCs that need to be made into sets
Did you know that Lego has an Ideas website where you can submit models for a vote, and if you receive enough, the company will consider making the set? It takes 10,000 votes to get a model reviewed, and combing through … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Tomiko Yoshikawa, pioneer in Japan’s racing world
In honor of International Women’s Day, this is the story of Tomiko Yoshikawa, a race car driver and pioneer in the Japanese racing world. Born in 1954 in an Aichi Prefecture, Yoshikawa was a self-described furyou shoujo, a “bad girl” … Continue reading
KIDNEY, ANYONE? Someone is selling a Mazda 767B
You. Yes you, mere mortal. You can now own perhaps the most organ-worthy car we’ve ever come across, a Mazda 767B. While the original auction description (they have since edited it) described it as “the most iconic race car to ever come … Continue reading
Updates to the JNC Shop
We have made a major update to the JNC shop, stocking inventory of items that we introduced at car shows throughout the year. Some are in very limited quantities, and if you order before 11:59pm on Sunday, December 18, your will arrive before … Continue reading
VIDEO: The rarest Miata — 1 of 24 Le Mans Editions
The Mazda Miata has had numerous limited editions throughout the years, but when Mazda won Le Mans shortly after the roadster’s world-searing launch, it created the perfect storm of conditions under which to develop the most limited MX-5 officially sold through Mazda dealerships.
VIDEO: Yet more cars (and bikes) from the Honda Collection Hall
Will the Honda Collection Hall ever run out of vehicles to demonstrate? It’s positively amazing that not only do they have the cars, but that they are all kept up in running condition, whether they be motorcycles, cars, or racing machines. Often … Continue reading
JCCS Preview: JNC “Charge” decals and limited edition Mazda 787B “Le Mans” T-shirts
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Mazda 787B’s victory at Le Mans. The quad-rotor demon, decked out in retina-searing orange and green livery, is one of the most iconic race cars of all time. To honor it, we’ve created two new … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Restored Mazda 767B debuts at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
The newest addition to Mazda USA’s ever-growing Heritage Collection debuted recently at the 2016 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. In a nod to both Mazda’s racing legacy and its “Driving Matters” slogan, the newly restored #202 767B — clad in the … Continue reading
COLLECTIONS: Mazda restores historic 767B Le Mans racer
Mazda has something good in store at this year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. In what’s becoming a bit of a tradition for Mazda North American Operations, it’s adding a restored race car to its Heritage Collection: the #202 767B that … Continue reading
25 YEAR CLUB: Celebrating the Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B, Part 04
Twenty-five years ago today, the Mazda 787B started on a 24-hour journey that would change Japan’s motorsport history. As you know, Mazda won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, and in parts 01, 02, and 03 of our tribute to this … Continue reading
25 YEAR CLUB: Celebrating the Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B, Part 03
In the previous installments of our 25th anniversary commemoration of Mazda 787B’s historic Le Mans win, we looked at the race car’s genealogy as well as the origin of its team. With the rules change imminent, it was the last year … Continue reading
25 YEAR CLUB: Celebrating The Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B, Part 02
The 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans is now underway — a perfect occasion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the historic victory of the Mazda 787B. If you’re listening to or watching the race live, join us on a … Continue reading
25 YEAR CLUB: Celebrating the Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B, Part 01
The 24 Hours of Le Mans begins tomorrow. This year marks the 84th running of the iconic endurance race. For racing fans and JNCers in particular, 2016 is especially significant as it is the 25th anniversary of the first and, … Continue reading
RIP Yoshimi Katayama, 1940 — 2016
It was announced in Japanese media yesterday that Yoshimi Katayama (片山義美) — the legendary race car driver often associated with Mazda — had passed away on March 26. He was 75. His prolific career was marked by some of Japan’s most … Continue reading
COLLECTIONS: Inside Mazda North America’s Basement
Talk to Mazda employees about their cars, past and present, and it immediately becomes clear that the company is comprised of people passionate about what they’ve built. This is no small feat, and we have peeked behind the walls of enough automakers to … Continue reading
MOTORSPORT: Nissan GT-R NISMO LM gets retro livery
One heritage car may be dead, but another lives on, sort of. Since its US debut at the Chicago Auto Show we’ve been immensely curious about the front-wheel-drive Nissan GT-R NISMO LM. And no, that is not a typo. The car with … Continue reading