Marlboro Sigma

One of the attractions of the 1975 Le Mans 24 Hours weigh-in was undoubtedly the Marlboro-coloured Sigma MC 75 number 18. This car was entered by Sigma Automotive Company (which would become SARD shortly afterwards) with a Toyota engine at Le Mans for the first time.

Different from the previous model, the red and white Japanese now has a spoiler and an imposing air intake to feed the turbo of its Toyota engine, a 1600 cc block which develops 330 hp and which replaces the Mazda rotary seen in 1974.

The crew consists of three Japanese drivers. Hiroshi Fushida already seen at Le Mans in 1973, Harakuni Takahashi seen in 1974 and Yasuaki Mori as a substitute. Unfortunately, the little Sigma, with a time of 4’22’1, fails to qualify for the race.

However, following the withdrawal of several competitors, the stewards rescued the Sigma at the last moment, which made good progress at the start of the race before retiring at 11:30 p.m. due to engine problems. Toyota’s official arrival at Le Mans would take place 10 years later, in 1985.