Group E Series Production Touring Cars
Encyclopedia
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 Armstrong 500
endurance race at Phillip Island
in 1960, no national guidelines for this type of racing existed until 1 January 1964 when the Group E regulations were introduced by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport
as part of a major review of Australian motor sport categories. Vehicles racing in Group E had to be one of at least 1000 units which had been produced in 12 months and could compete only with strictly limited modifications. The rules were framed to cater for cars such as those that had been contesting the Armstrong 500 (which had moved from Phillip Island to the Mount Panorama Circuit
at Bathurst in 1963), although that race continued to run under its own regulations which at the time limited the field to Australian built cars only. From 1967 the minimum production requirement for Group E was changed to 5000 units produced internationally or 500 produced and/or sold in Australia.
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. 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. 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. For 1971 CAMS introduced the Australian Manufacturers' Championship
title which was to be contested over a series of endurance races for Group E cars and the Hardie Ferodo 500 was included in this series for the first time in 1972. 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.
In 1973 CAMS replaced both Group E and Group C with a new Group C Touring Car
category which specified a level of modifications between those applicable in the two superseded classes.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 "Group E Series Production Cars", officially redesignated to its current "Group 3E Series Production Cars" name in 1988.
Although production car racing in Australia had gained momentum with the running of the first Armstrong 500
Bathurst 1000
The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
endurance race at Phillip Island
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a motor racing racing circuit on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The circuit was opened in 1956.-Road circuit:...
in 1960, no national guidelines for this type of racing existed until 1 January 1964 when the Group E regulations were introduced by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport
Confederation of Australian Motor Sport
The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport , has been the governing body of Australian motorsport since 1953. It is affiliated with the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile ....
as part of a major review of Australian motor sport categories. Vehicles racing in Group E had to be one of at least 1000 units which had been produced in 12 months and could compete only with strictly limited modifications. The rules were framed to cater for cars such as those that had been contesting the Armstrong 500 (which had moved from Phillip Island to the Mount Panorama Circuit
Mount Panorama Circuit
Mount Panorama Circuit is a motor racing track located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. It is the home of the Bathurst 12 Hour motor race, held each February, and the Bathurst 1000 motor race, held each October...
at Bathurst in 1963), although that race continued to run under its own regulations which at the time limited the field to Australian built cars only. From 1967 the minimum production requirement for Group E was changed to 5000 units produced internationally or 500 produced and/or sold in Australia.
In 1969 Group E cars were eligible to compete in the Australian Touring Car Championship
Australian Touring Car Championship
The Australian Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing award held in Australia since 1960. The series itself is no longer contested, but the title lives on, with the winner of the V8 Supercar Championship Series awarded the trophy and title of Australian Touring Car Champion.-History:The...
alongside the more highly modified Group C Improved Production Touring Cars
Group C (Australia)
In relation to Australian motorsport, Group C refers to either of two sets of regulations devised by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport for use in Australian touring car racing from 1965 to 1984...
for the first time. 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. The annual Hardie Ferodo 500
Bathurst 1000
The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
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. For 1971 CAMS introduced the Australian Manufacturers' Championship
Australian Manufacturers' Championship
The Australian Manufacturers' Championship is a motor racing title awarded by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport to the winning car manufacturer in a series of races held throughout Australia...
title which was to be contested over a series of endurance races for Group E cars and the Hardie Ferodo 500 was included in this series for the first time in 1972. 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.
In 1973 CAMS replaced both Group E and Group C with a new Group C Touring Car
Group C (Australia)
In relation to Australian motorsport, Group C refers to either of two sets of regulations devised by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport for use in Australian touring car racing from 1965 to 1984...
category 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 "Group E Series Production Cars", officially redesignated to its current "Group 3E Series Production Cars" name in 1988.
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