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A Mazda 767B was involved in a dramatic fire at Laguna Seca this weekend, according to a video shared on Instagram by Per.0.xide. The footage shows what’s believed to be chassis 002 parked under a tent while a crew rushes to its aid with fire extinguishers.
It’s unclear what triggered the fire, though it appears the car had already been driven on the track earlier in the day, leading me to believe it may be related to an oil or gas spill combined with extreme temperatures under the engine cover. This specific car is part of the Mazda Heritage Collection and is often seen at tracks across the country, meaning that it’s far from a garage queen. The Drive reached out to Mazda for more information, and a spokesperson said they are looking into it and will issue a statement when ready.
The Mazda 767B and its more famous sibling, the Le Mans-winning 787B, are iconic cars not just for their racing pedigree and bright liveries, but primarily for the amazing, high-pitched sound produced by their 13J and R26B Wankel rotary engines, which rev to 9,000 rpm. Both of these will be present this week at the Rolex Motorsports Reunion in Laguna Seca, but sadly, there’s a good chance the former may have to sit things out, though this won’t be clear until we know the full extent of the fire damage.
While the video above ends before the fire is extinguished, some commenters claim it was quickly put out and the car was not completely destroyed.
Stay tuned for more details.
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As deputy editor, Jerry draws on a decade of industry experience and a lifelong passion for motorsports to guide The Drive’s short- and long-term coverage.
