1974 Sigma MC74 #25
Pilots: H. Takahashi, Y. Okamoto. Y. Terada
Team: Mazda Automotive
Race: DNC (S 3.0 class) at Le Mans in 1974
Spark - S3558 (resin)
Published 03/21/25
Nowadays, or at least for the last 10 years or so, Toyota dominates Le Mans. They won from 2018 to 2022 straight, just losing 2023 and 2024 to Ferrari. Therefore, up until 2023 we were in the “Toyota Era” of Le Mans. Five wins straight is nothing short of remarkable, even though the competition was not exactly hard. Well, the Porsche Era, in the 80s, wasn’t exactly very diverse in terms of strong contenders either… 🤐 So, Toyota’s effort is genuinely commendable, starting out at La Sarthe back in 1985. Moreover, the only other Japanese manufacturer that ever won Le Mans was Mazda. Mazda first raced at Le Mans in 1979, and only won in 1991. Both have overall and class wins to their names. Yet, they were NOT the first Japanese manufacturer to race in Le Mans. That distinction goes to Sigma.
The Sigma Automotive Company, founded in 1972, only came to be because of one man. Up until 1971, Shin Kato was, ironically, an engineer at Toyota. He got bored just working with pedestrian cars; he wanted to work with race cars. By then Toyota did have a discreet participation in rally racing, yet Kato’s interest was road racing. Consequently, he quit his job and founded Sigma, to produce race and performance parts and accessories. To generate publicity, he created a race team and won the Japanese 2-liter Group B6 driver’s championship in 1972. For the following year he decided to do what no other Japanese brand had ever dared. He would make a car to race in the 24 Heures du Mans of 1973. To the shock of the European motorsports press, he arrived at La Sarthe with the MC73. Unfortunately, though, MC73 #26 abandoned the race on lap 79.
Undeterred, Sigma returned to La Sarthe the following year. And like all small-time teams, they just upgraded their original car for 1974. As a result, they debuted the MC74, which in essence was the same MC73 of 1973. To power the new car they once again relied on Mazda’s 12A Wankel unit. In fact, this year they had full support for their drivetrain from Mazda. The 12A was a rotary engine with two rotors, displacing 2292 cm³. For today’s standards it may sound weird to rely on a Wankel, yet back then it was a good option. After all, it was light and decently powerful, so for a light car it was sensible. Sigma used the same MC73 aluminum space frame for the chassis, but with an improved body. The new fiberglass body was sleeker and longer, allowing a better top speed.
Being Le Mans, however, a fast car with a good project is not synonymous with victory. Sigma’s MC74 #25 had an eventful race, with many (lengthy) pit stops. With that, though they did finish the race, car #25 did not complete the minimum 70% laps of the winner. Doing only 155 laps (the minimum would have been 236), MC74 #25 wasn’t classified. Even so, it was the first all-Japanese car and team to a checkered flag at Le Mans. Moreover, it was the first non-US or European engine and chassis to finish the race. And just like Mazda and then Toyota years later, that is commendable. In summary, a total oddball of a car with significant history. As a scale model it’s a duesy – Spark knocked it out of the park. Honestly, one of the best paint job of all my Sparks. Consequently, perfect for the W-143 Garage 😉.