During the Monterey Pre-Reunion at Laguna Seca, a Mazda 767B equipped with the iconic quad-rotor Wankel engine erupted into flames in the paddock. The blaze occurred in the paddock, where video captured the vehicle consumed by fire as team members hurried to deploy extinguishers. The vehicle was scheduled to compete in the Hurley Haywood Trophy, an endurance prototype race featuring machines constructed between 1981 and 1991. The origin of the fire remains undetermined, though Instagram user per.0.xide recorded the car surrounded by flames while stationary, with crew members rushing to control the situation using fire extinguishers.
This particular 767B, a 1989 model, is not the famous 1991 Le Mans-winning 787B but a privately owned forerunner. It finished 20th at Le Mans in 1990 and was sold for $1.75 million in 2017. The car has since been a regular at historic racing events.
The cause of the fire remains unclear. However, the team responsible for the car, Ghost Rider Squad, has pledged to restore it to full running order, suggesting the damage may not be irreparable. This commitment ensures the car’s unique sound and presence will eventually return to the track.
Read Also: Humax EV Charging Unveils 22kW Commercial EV Charger
Fortunately, no one was injured in the blaze, which was quickly contained. This outcome is a stark contrast to the 2008 fire that destroyed the Mazda Furai concept during a Top Gear shoot, highlighting the risks associated with historic racing.
Currently a freelance journalist, Mike previously worked full-time for Car Throttle as a staff writer.
