An odd question perhaps: someone recently asked me "what is the
difference between an automotive racing wankel and an aircraft
wankel?"

It occurs to me that I'm not exactly sure what to tell him. Other than
the superficial stuff like variable-length runners and throttle
response requirements, what about racing use would be improper for
aircraft use? More rotor tip clearancing? Could you just take the
LeMans R26B "short block" and put it in a plane as-is, or would you
want to change something first?

-Chris Wood

There is not a lot of difference in how they are built.

However a drag race engine only needs to last 10 seconds.
An endurance road race engine needs to last 24 hour with an 80 to 90% max power level on average. Mazda rotaries have won more 24 hour races than any other brand.

The Le Mans winner Mazda 4 rotor engine would make a great aircraft engine.

Paul Lamar