Rotary internal combustion engine with pilot subchamber and ignition element

A rotary engine (10) includes an insert (34) in one of the walls (18) of an outer body (12), the insert (34) having a pilot subchamber (72) defined therein communicating with the internal cavity (20) of the engine. An ignition element extends in an element cavity (88) defined through the insert (34) adjacent the subchamber (72). A portion (86) of the element (84) is in communication with the subchamber (72) through a communication opening (64) defined in the insert (34) between the element cavity (88) and the subchamber (72). The communication opening (64) has a cross-section smaller than a corresponding cross-section of the portion (86) of the element (84).