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Mad Mike Whiddett’s five-rotor drift car is the MADAZ 787D, a one-off build unveiled at his Summer Bash in Waikato, New Zealand, in early December 2023. It pays tribute to Mazda’s 787B endurance racer, but it is neither a factory Mazda nor a production successor. Contemporary reports called it the “world’s first” five-rotor drift car; that description reflects those reports and Whiddett’s claim, not an independent survey of every five-rotor project.
What is Mad Mike’s five-rotor car called?
It is the MADAZ 787D. Coverage uses the “D” as a nod to drifting, while “787” points to the Mazda 787B, the endurance racer that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991. The 787D is a bespoke demonstration and drift project, not a Mazda factory model or a car shown in these reports to meet a particular racing series’ technical rules. AutoHebdo’s unveiling report and Goodwood’s coverage describe the tribute and its reveal.
What is known about the five-rotor engine?
The 787D uses a five-rotor Wankel engine. Motor1 reported a 3.3-liter displacement in 2023, but its report said the car’s power output had not been disclosed at the time. No confirmed horsepower figure or complete engine specification is established by the cited contemporary coverage, so output should not be inferred from displacement or from Whiddett’s other cars. Motor1’s 2023 report gives the displacement and notes the missing power figure.
How does the 787D differ from the Mazda 787B?
| Car | Purpose | Rotors and placement | What the cited coverage establishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MADAZ 787D | One-off drift and demonstration build | Five rotors; Goodwood describes the engine as longitudinally mounted between the front wheels | Motor1 reported 3.3 liters; contemporary reporting did not establish a confirmed power output |
| Mazda 787B | Endurance racing; won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991 | Four-rotor rotary engine | It is the 787D’s historical inspiration, not the same car or a factory successor |
The visual and name references connect the cars, but their purposes are different: the 787B was a race car, while the 787D was conceived around drifting and show use. The 787D’s styling was developed with Ken Miura of Rocket Bunny, according to AutoHebdo. Goodwood reports that PPRE and Rocket Bunny were involved in the build; it describes four years of development and assembly in 2022. These are outlet-reported project details rather than a factory specification sheet.
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#1 Best Overall
- Brand new box
- Real rubber tires.
- Detailed interior, exterior, engine compartment.
- Has Removable Front and Rear Cover
- Made of diecast metal with some plastic parts.
How does it fit into Mad Mike’s rotary-car history?
The 787D follows earlier rotary-powered projects by Whiddett, including the RADBUL. Red Bull’s 2016 profile describes RADBUL as a 2014 MX-5-based build with a bespoke twin-turbo 2.6-liter four-rotor engine built at Pulse Performance Race Engineering (PPRE). Red Bull reported more than 1,000 horsepower on that car’s most conservative tune; that figure belongs to RADBUL, not the five-rotor 787D. Red Bull’s RADBUL profile provides the historical context.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was the MADAZ 787D available as a model?
Before the full-size car’s unveiling, coverage reported a Hot Wheels 1:64-scale MADAZ 787D miniature. That earlier report does not establish whether the model is currently available for purchase. AutoHebdo’s article mentions the miniature.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Each car is manufactured by Spark for the Le Mans collection (Hachette Japon)
- The cars are presented in Spark boxes: see the photo
- Models rarely seen in Europe
Rank #4
- 1:43 car manufactured by SPARK for the Hachette Le Mans collection in Japan
- Each model is presented in a Spark display box, see photo
- Rarely seen in Europe
Rank #3
- Authentic Design: Meticulously crafted 1:64 scale die-cast replica of the iconic Mazda 787B race car featuring vibrant orange finish and precise detailing
- Racing Heritage: Captures the legendary motorsport legacy of the Mazda 787B with accurate body styling and distinctive racing livery
- Collector Quality: Premium die-cast construction ensures durability while maintaining the authentic proportions and features of the original race car
- Display Ready: Perfect size for showcasing in collections, dioramas, or racing displays with other Hot Wheels vehicles
- Perfect Scale: Compact 1:64 scale makes this model ideal for both play and display while maintaining impressive detail accuracy
Rank #2
- Brand new box
- Real rubber tires.
- Detailed interior, exterior, engine compartment.
- Has Removable Front and Rear Cover
- Made of diecast metal with some plastic parts.
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