Vehicle Description
Mazda-Lola T616
Chassis Number: H.U.3 (#67)
The Mazda-Lola T616 racecars made motorsports history in 1984 when
they scored a 1st and 3rd class finish at the legendary 24 Hours of
Le Mans with their Mazda rotary powered Lola. Mazda would become
the first Japanese manufacturer to score a class win at Le
Mans.
In a classic "David vs Goliath" matchup, the two lightweight Lola
team cars, under the management of BF Goodrich/Jim Busby Racing,
outlasted the other C2 competitors and defeated the more powerful
competition. This monumental accomplishment was highlighted by the
fact that both cars had run the grueling race on specially
developed BF Goodrich Radial T/A street tires.
Car 68, driven by Americans John Morton and John O'Steen, with
Japanese driver Hoshami Katayama, took first in class, while Car
67, piloted by American Jim Busby and Rick Knoop, and Dutchman Boy
Hayje, placed third in class.
Throughout 1984, the T616 Lolas enjoyed success at the world's
greatest race tracks. Before Le Mans, Car 67 claimed its own class
victory at the 1,000 km race at Monza, driven by Jim Busby and Rick
Knoop. After Le Mans, the cars traveled to the Nurburgring in July
1984, and Car 67 finished 2nd in class. In September, Car 67
finished 2nd in class at the Mount Fuji circuit in Japan, driven by
Jim Busby and Pete Halsmer. Car 68 would finish 4th. The team
nearly won the Group C2 Prototype class in the Sports Car World
Championship that year, supported by both class wins and solid
reliability they would come in a remarkable second in the
points.
Thereafter both Lolas were sold to independent teams and were raced
on-and-off until 1990. Both cars would lay quiet, and mostly
forgotten for the next decade until Jim Busby and Rick Knoop
reacquired the pair in 2003 and both cars were given comprehensive
cosmetic restorations. In 2010 the cars' most recent owner, an avid
vintage racer, gave both cars full, tub up, mechanical
restorations.
Both cars are in perfect running condition, meet all FIA vintage
racing specifications and because of their provenance are eligible
for vintage racing worldwide. The cars have participated in many
historic racing events, including the 2004 Road & Track U.S. Sports
Car Invitational, the 2005 Goodwood Festival of Speed, and the
Monterey Historics and Reunion races from 2004 onward.
Included in the sale is an extremely comprehensive spares list.
This package includes, but is not limited to: 2 spare motors
(including the original '84 race winning 13B), 2 sets of tires and
wheels for each car, spare nose, tail, roof, and doors to be used
as molds for more body parts, multiple gear sets for the Hewland
transaxle, rotor casings, clutches, flywheels, A-arms, rings and
pinions, rotors, hats, and calipers, CD ignition systems, gaskets
and cv boots, and original paint samples. Furthermore there is
memorabilia which includes an original Strand21 racing suit, 3
reproduction team shirts from 1984, numerous posters, prints, and
brochures, and almost most importantly a still boxed 1:43 scale
diecast model of the #68 BFG Mazda Lola T616.
About the Mazda-Lola T616
The Lolas are powered by naturally aspirated, fuel injected,
twin-rotor, 9000rpm 1.3 liter Mazda 13B rotary engines with MSD
ignition. Power is driven through Hewland 5 speed transaxles.
Wheels are Gotti three-piece modular, 13x11 front and 13x14 rear.
The brakes are AP calipers.
Both cars have new fire systems, as well as their original system,
which are now for authenticity/display only. The cars are equipped
with on-board air jacks for quick tire changes.
1984 Race History
Feb 05 24 Hours of Daytona
Car 68 Halsmer, Quester, Grable 17th
Car 67 Busby, Hayje, Knoop 31st
Feb 26 Grand Prix of Miami
Car 68 Halsmer, Hayje 5th
Car 67 Busby, Knoop 6th
Apr 23 1,000 Kilometers of Monza
Car 67 Busby, Knoop 1st, class C2
Car 68 Quester, Hayje 5th, class C2
Apr 29. Riverside International Raceway
Car 67 Busby, Grable, Knoop 39th
June 16 24 Hours of Le Mans
Car 68 Katayama, Morton, O'Steen 1st, class C2
Car 67 Busby, Hayje, Knoop 3rd in class
July 15 1,000 Kilometers Nurburgring
Car 67 Busby, Halsmer 2nd, class C2
Car 68 Quester, Knoop DNF
Sept 30 Mount Fuji 1,000 Kilometers
Car 68 Quester, Knoop 4th, class C2
Car 67 Busby, Halsmer 3rd, class C2
After Restoration
2004, Apr 30 - May 2, Road & Track US Sports Car Invitational,
Laguna Seca
2004, Aug 13-15. Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, Laguna
Seca
2005, Goodwood Festival of Speed
2008, Goodwood Festival of Speed
2009, Aug 8-9. Pre Historics, Laguna Seca
2009, Aug 14-16. Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Laguna
Seca
2009, July 10-12. Portland Historic Races
2010, June 5-6. Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, Sonoma
Raceway
2010, Aug 7-8. Pre Historics, Laguna Seca
2010, Aug 12-15. Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Laguna
Seca
2011, Aug 13-14. Pre Historics, Laguna Seca
