Group A

Group A is a set of

Group A was introduced by the FIA in 1982 to replace the outgoing Group 2 as "modified touring cars", while Group N would replace Group 1 as "standard touring cars". During the early years there were no further formula for production based race cars. Cars from multiple Groups could contest the World Rally Championship for Manufacturers for example until 1997 when the specific World Rally Car formula was introduced as the only option. In recent years Groups A and N have begun to be phased out in eligibility in championships though they continue to form the homologation basis for most production based race car formulae including the Groups Rally which must first be homologated in Group A. Both Groups N and A, and the details of their differences are described in the FIAs International Sporting Code and several of its Appendices J articles.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Homologation

To qualify for FIA approval, a minimum of 2,500 identical models have to be built in 12 consecutive months.^[5] The homologation period lasts for every subsequent year of production and seven years after the year that less than 10% (250) are produced in one year and the model is considered out of production by the FIA.^[2] Evolutions of the series production model homologated are permitted with a ET (Evolution of the type) extension applied.^[2] Before 1993 the initial production requirement was 5000.^[6]

However, not all manufacturers who built such models sold them all, some stripped the majority of them to rebuild them as stock models or used them to allow teams to use modified parts. One such example of this was Volvo with the 240 Turbo in 1985, an evolution of a model first homologated in 1982. After they had produced 500 such models, Volvo stripped 477 cars of their competition equipment and sold them as standard 240 turbo roadcars. As a result, after FISA's failed attempt at finding an "Evolution" car in any European countries, Volvo were forced to reveal the names of all 500 "evo" owners to be permitted to compete.^[7]

Touring car racing

^{[needs update]}

For

Hillclimb competitions still use Group A as a touring car class across Europe, while in Australia Group A is now a historic class, though only actual cars raced from 1985 to 1992 (complete with log books) are allowed to compete.

Rallying

Under Group A in the

The cars are modified for greater power and torque, and fitted with suspension and tyres specifically suited to the conditions of the specific rally, which may take place entirely on asphalt roads, different consistencies of gravel and dirt roads and even snow/ice-covered roads on some rallies held in northern Europe.

By 1990, Group A cars exceeded the performance of the defunct Group B cars on many events, because although they had far less power they had better handling and traction. They were also much safer.

Group A is still used as the basis for most rally competitions around the world, but the most competitive cars are limited-production prototypes, known as kit cars (which competed in the FIA 2-Litre World Rally Cup), World Rally Cars, Super 1600 and Super 2000.

The last car to use the old Group A homologation requirement in the WRC Manufacturers' championship was the

Series that used the Group A formula

• European Touring Car Championship 1982–1988
• British Touring Car Championship 1983–1990
• Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1984–1992
• New Zealand Touring Car Championship 1984–1992
• Nissan-Mobil 500 Series 1985–1993
• AMSCAR Series
  1985–1992
• Australian Manufacturers' Championship 1985–1991
• Australian Touring Car Championship 1985–1992
• All Japan Touring Car Championship
  1985–1993
• Australian Endurance Championship 1985–1986, 1990–1991
• Australian 2.0 Litre Touring Car Championship 1986–1987
• South Pacific Touring Car Championship 1986
• World Rally Championship 1987–2018
• World Touring Car Championship 1987
• Asia-Pacific Touring Car Championship 1988
• Campeonato de España de Turismos 1991-1993

Cars

References

External links

• Frank de Jong's Group A ETCC section