Group E Series Production Touring Cars
Group E Series Production Touring Cars was an Australian motor racing category for production based sedans competing with limited modifications. It was current from 1964 to 1972.
Although production car racing in Australia had gained momentum with the running of the first
In 1969 Group E cars were eligible to compete in the Australian Touring Car Championship alongside the more highly modified Group C Improved Production Touring Cars for the first time.[4] The local market component of the eligibility rules for Group E was relaxed in 1970 such that models of which 200 units had been sold in Australia within 12 months were now eligible.[5] The annual Hardie Ferodo 500 endurance race at Bathurst continued to be run under regulations differing from Group E, with the former still being more restrictive in terms of permitted modifications.[6] For 1971 CAMS introduced the Australian Manufacturers' Championship title which was to be contested over a series of endurance races for Group E cars[7] and the Hardie Ferodo 500 was included in this series for the first time in 1972.[8] By this time the eligibility rules had been changed again with a vehicle now accepted if it was one of 200 manufactured or assembled in Australia or if it was a recognised FIA Group 1 Touring Car of which at least 100 units had been sold in Australia.[9]
In 1973 CAMS replaced both Group E and Group C with a new Group C Touring Car category[10] which specified a level of modifications between those applicable in the two superseded classes. The Australian Touring Car Championship, Australian Manufacturers' Championship and the Bathurst endurance race would all be run to the new Group C rules from that year.
Production car racing in Australia was revived in 1981 when CAMS introduced regulations for "
References
- ^ Australian Motor Racing Annual, 1964, No 1, page 37
- ^ Australian Motor Manual, May 1965, page 34-35
- ^ Australian Motor Manual, February 1966, page 41
- ^ CAMS CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, 1969, page 80
- ^ CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, 1970, page 195
- ^ Official Program, 1970 Hardie-Ferodo 500, page 34 Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 2 April 2009
- ^ Australian Motor Racing Annual, 1971, page 18
- ^ Bill Tuckey, Australia’s Greatest Motor Race, 1981, page 163
- ^ CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, 1972, page 204
- ^ Australian Touring Car Championship, Thirty Fabulous Years, 1989, page 138
- ^ CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, 1988, page 5
External links
- Images of Group E cars contesting the 1972 Hardie Ferodo 500 at Bathurst Retrieved from www.autopics.com.au on 7 April 2009