Group 4 (motorsport)

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A Ford GT40 contesting the Group 4 Sports Car category at the 1969 1000 km Nurburgring 1969-06-01 Ford GT 40 von Kelleners-Jost.jpg
A Ford GT40 contesting the Group 4 Sports Car category at the 1969 1000 km Nürburgring
A Group 4 Porsche 906 Porsche 906 Carrera 6, Grand Basel 2018 (Ank Kumar, Infosys) 02.jpg
A Group 4 Porsche 906
A Group 4 Alpine A110 1800 Alpine A110 1800 Group IV.JPG
A Group 4 Alpine A110 1800
A Group 4 De Tomaso Pantera GTS De Tomaso Pantera GTS Group 4 Gen1 000 1972 frontleft 2013-03-17 U.jpg
A Group 4 De Tomaso Pantera GTS

Group 4 referred to regulations for sportscars and grand touring (GT) cars used in racing and rallying, as regulated by the FIA. The group was introduced in 1954 and was replaced by Group B for the 1982 season.

Contents

BMW M1 Procar, used in the M1 Procar Championship. These cars were designed and built to FIA Group 4 racing specifications. FoS20162016 0624 104935AA (27274380474).jpg
BMW M1 Procar, used in the M1 Procar Championship. These cars were designed and built to FIA Group 4 racing specifications.

Production requirements

Prior to 1966, the FIA's Group 4 classification applied to Sports Cars which were in compliance with FIA Appendix C regulations. It also included recognised Series Touring Cars, Improved Touring Cars and Grand Touring Cars which had been modified beyond the respective Group 1, Group 2 or Group 3 regulations under which they had been homologated. [1] [2] In 1966, an overhaul of FIA categories saw Group 4 Sports Cars redefined such that they were now subject to a minimum production requirement of 50 units in 12 consecutive months and had to be fitted with all equipment necessary for use on public roads. A 5000cc engine capacity limit was applied for 1968 and the minimum production requirement was reduced to 25 units for the 1969 season. [3]

For 1969, Appendix J of the FIA International Sporting Code defined groups for Touring cars, Grand Touring cars and Sports cars as follows: (numbers between brackets are required minimum production in 12 consecutive months). [4]

For 1970, the limited production sports car category was renamed from Group 4 to Group 5 [5] and, in the same year, [6] Group 4 became the class for special grand touring cars with minimum production of 500 in 12 consecutive months [7]

For 1971, the relevant FIA classifications were as follows: [7]

In 1976, the Group 4 production requirement was reduced to 400 in 24 months. [8]

Sports car racing

A Porsche 911 competing in the Group 4 Special Grand Touring Car category at the 1970 1000 km Nurburgring Porsche 911, Dieter Frohlich am 31.05.1970.jpg
A Porsche 911 competing in the Group 4 Special Grand Touring Car category at the 1970 1000 km Nürburgring

In 1966 and 1967, the Group 4 Sports Cars were mostly sold to and entered by privateers to play a supporting role to the Group 6 prototypes. While factory-entered prototypes like the 7.0L Ford GT40 Mk.II and Mk.IV raced for outright victories, the 4.7L GT40 Mk I entries were competing for Group 4 class wins. [9] Indeed, competitors in the two categories were competing for two different championships, with similar looking cars, the Group 6 cars for the International Championship for Sports-Prototypes and the Group 4 cars for the International Championship for Sports Cars.

For 1968, the rules were changed, so that prototypes were limited to 3.0L, but sports cars of up to 5.0L could still be entered. It was also announced that the minimum production figure for the Group 4 sports cars would be reduced to 25 cars for 1969. With larger engines than the sophisticated prototypes, the simpler and mostly older Group 4 cars were now in contention for outright race wins. An updated old Ford GT40 Mk.I chassis was the winner at Le Mans in both 1968 and 1969. Porsche began work on a production run of 25 cars for the Porsche 917. Ferrari, with some financial help from Fiat, produced the similar Ferrari 512S. [10]

For the 1970 season, the Group 4 Sports car category was renamed and became Group 5 Sports Cars, and Group 4 designation was applied to a new Special Grand Touring category. The new Group 4 was contested by production based cars such as the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, Porsche 911 Carrera RS and the De Tomaso Pantera.

The Group 4 GT category was replaced by a new Group B GT class for 1983. [11]

Rallying

Roberto Cambiaghi and Emanuele Sanfront on a Fiat 124 Abarth Rally at the Rally delle Regioni 1975 (valid for European Rally Championship) Cambiaghi sanfront rally delle regioni 1975.jpg
Roberto Cambiaghi and Emanuele Sanfront on a Fiat 124 Abarth Rally at the Rally delle Regioni 1975 (valid for European Rally Championship)
Fiat Abarth 124 rally Rally 971 2008 (26365042041).jpg
Fiat Abarth 124 rally
A Group 4 De Tomaso Pantera and Lancia Stratos, pictured in 1973 1973 Automotive Tour of Italy (Casale stage) - Casoni's De Tomaso Pantera Jolly Club, and Andruet's Lancia Stratos Marlboro.jpg
A Group 4 De Tomaso Pantera and Lancia Stratos, pictured in 1973
Group 4 Lancia Stratos HF. The Stratos helped Lancia win the World Rally Championship in 1974, 1975 and 1976. Paris - Bonhams 2017 - Lancia Stratos Groupe 4 coupe - 1976 - 001.jpg
Group 4 Lancia Stratos HF. The Stratos helped Lancia win the World Rally Championship in 1974, 1975 and 1976.
Fiat 131 Abarth Group 4 rally (1982) Warana-Rally-Carr-131-450.jpg
Fiat 131 Abarth Group 4 rally (1982)

The Group 4 regulations were also used as the basis for the World Rally Championships until they were replaced by the Group B regulations. In the mid-1970s to early 1980s rallying, it was necessary to produce 400 identical cars for homologation as a Group 4 rally car. Notable cars included the Ford Escort RS1800, Fiat 131 Abarth, Lancia Stratos HF and the Audi Quattro.

List of FIA Group 4 homologated cars

No.MarqueModelTypeImageStartEnd
220 Flag of the United States.svg Shelby Cobra Roadster 427 C 427 Roadster.jpg January 2, 1966January 2, 1966
221 Flag of France.svg Matra Djet 5S MB 8SJanuary 1, 1965January 1, 1965
222 Flag of France.svg Alpine A110 1300 Alpine-Renault A110 1300 Rallye (1974) (53342076416).jpg February 1, 1966February 1, 1966
223 Flag of France.svg Panhard 24 BAFebruary 1, 1966February 1, 1966
224 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ford GT40 Mk I 1965 Ford GT40 MK I Le Mans.jpg February 2, 1966February 2, 1966
225 Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari 250 LM BerlinettaFebruary 1, 1966February 1, 1966
227 Flag of Germany.svg Ford Taunus P5 HardtopApril 15, 1966April 15, 1966
228 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tunex Diva GTApril 16, 1966April 16, 1966
229 Flag of Italy.svg Abarth 1300 OT 1969 Fiat Abarth OT 1300-124 Paul Pietsch Classic 2025 DSC 9095.jpg April 15, 1966April 15, 1966
230 Flag of Italy.svg Abarth 1000 OTR Coupé Johann Abt im Abarth 1000 im Jahr 1970.jpg April 30, 1966April 30, 1966
231 Flag of Sweden.svg Saab Sonett II
234 Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari 275 GTB 4 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB at Grand Basel 2018 (Ank kumar, Infosys) 05.jpg April 1, 1967April 1, 1967
235 Flag of Italy.svg Lamborghini 350 GTApril 1, 1967April 1, 1967
236 Flag of Italy.svg Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2April 1, 1967April 1, 1967
237 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg TVR MkIV 1800SJuly 1, 1967July 1, 1967
238 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus Mark 47 January 1, 1969January 1, 1969
239 Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari 308 GTB 4 1976 Ferrari 308 GTB Group 4.jpg April 1, 1967April 1, 1967
240 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lola T70 Mk III Lola-Chevrolet T70 MK3 - Flickr - andrewbasterfield.jpg February 1, 1968February 1, 1968
241 Flag of Italy.svg Abarth 1000 SP Wurgau Bergrennen Abarth 1000 SP 1968 20190922-RM-9222385.jpg March 1, 1969March 1, 1969
242 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Marcos 1300 GT March 1, 1968March 1, 1968
242 Flag of Italy.svg Lamborghini Urraco P250 July 1, 1975December 31, 1981
244 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chevron GT Chevron B8 GT (14266248183).jpg May 1, 1968May 1, 1968
245 Flag of Italy.svg Lamborghini P400 Miura Lamborghini Miura P400 (1967) Classic-Gala 2022 1X7A0082.jpg June 1, 1968June 1, 1968
246 Flag of Italy.svg Alfa Romeo 33 SpiderJanuary 1, 1969January 1, 1969
247 Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari 206 GTJanuary 1, 1969January 1, 1969
248 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg McLaren M6 GT Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 2017 - McLaren M6GT front.jpg August 20, 1968
249 Flag of Germany.svg Porsche 910 Porsche 910 at Barber 2010 01.jpg January 1, 1969January 1, 1969
250 Flag of Germany.svg Porsche 917 1969-06-01 Porsche 917.jpg May 1, 1969May 1, 1969
251 Flag of Italy.svg De Tomaso Mangusta De Tomaso Mangusta.jpg April 1, 1969April 1, 1969
252 Flag of Italy.svg Abarth 2000 Abarth 2000 SE 010 - 1971 (5661461614).jpg April 1, 1969April 1, 1969
253 Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari 365 GTB 4 Daytona Ferrari 365 GTB Daytona front.jpg June 1, 1969June 1, 1969
254 Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari 512 S Ferrari 512 - Mike Parkes 1970-05-31.jpg July 1, 1969April 1, 1970
255 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chevron B16 Cosworth Chevron B16 - 001.jpg January 2, 1970January 2, 1970
624 Flag of France.svg Alpine A110 1600 Goodwood Festival of Speed 2021 (51307495366) (cropped).jpg January 1, 1970December 31, 1970
625 Flag of Italy.svg Alfa Romeo GTA Sprint 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA FIA Competition Saloon by Autodelta.jpg January 1, 1970December 31, 1977
626 Flag of Germany.svg Porsche 914/6 Porsche 914 6 GT 1970 (Volante) jm20580.jpg March 1, 1970October 1, 1971
627 Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari 246 GT 1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT, Tour Auto 2015, Toulouse 100.jpg January 1, 1971February 1, 1973
628 Flag of France.svg Citroën SM Type SB Retromobile 2011 - Citroen SM Rallye du Maroc 1971 - 003.jpg April 1, 1971July 1, 1971
629 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Range Rover Classic 1971 Range Rover 3 Door Aston Martin V12.jpg April 1, 1971January 1, 1972
630 Flag of France.svg Renault 12 Gordini R1173October 1, 1971January 1, 1972
632 Flag of Italy.svg De Tomaso Pantera 1973 Automotive Tour of Italy (Casale stage) - Casoni's De Tomaso Pantera Jolly Club (cropped).jpg January 1, 1972July 1, 1972
633 Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari 365 GTB 4 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB-4 Competizione (35721375405).jpg January 1, 1972December 31, 1979
634 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus Europa Twin Cam Lotus Europa (29970237816).jpg April 1, 1972July 1, 1972
637 Flag of Germany.svg Porsche Carrera RS Porsche 911 Carrera RSR, Bj. 1974 (2011-08-13 Sp).JPG March 1, 1973July 1, 1973
638 Flag of France.svg Renault 17 TSApril 1, 1974October 1, 1974
639 Flag of Italy.svg Maserati AM122 MerakMay 1, 1974December 31, 1981
646 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Aston Martin V8 April 1, 1976December 31, 1981
631 Flag of Italy.svg Alfa Romeo Montreal January 1, 1972April 1, 1972
640 Flag of Italy.svg Lancia Stratos HF Paris - Bonhams 2017 - Lancia Stratos Groupe 4 coupe - 1976 - 001.jpg October 1, 1974December 31, 1981
644 Flag of Germany.svg Opel Kadett C GT/E 1979 Opel Kadett C GT E Rally.jpg October 1, 1975February 1, 1976
645 Flag of Germany.svg Porsche 911 Turbo Porsche 911, Dieter Frohlich am 31.05.1970.jpg January 1, 1976January 1, 1977
647 Flag of Italy.svg Abarth 131 Rally 1976 Fiat 131 Abarth in Alitalia livery, front right.jpg April 1, 1976December 31, 1981
648 Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari 308 GTB Ferrari-Museum Maranello 7.JPG November 1, 1976December 31, 1981
649 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Vauxhall Chevette HS2300 Vauxhall Chevette (12159491604).jpg November 1, 1976December 31, 1981
650 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ford Escort RS FoS20162016 0624 140324AA (27608343960).jpg April 2, 1977January 1, 1982
651 Flag of France.svg Alpine A310 V6 Alpine A310 V6 course.jpeg April 1, 1977January 1, 1978
652 Flag of Sweden.svg Saab 99 Turbo Combi CoupéJanuary 1, 1978October 1, 1978
653 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus Esprit EMS 2023, Essen (P1160558).jpg April 1, 1978December 31, 1981
654 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg B.L. Triumph TR8 TR-8 race car from the 1970s.jpg April 1, 1978December 31, 1981
655 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Panther Lima October 1, 1978December 31, 1981
656 Flag of Poland.svg FSO Polonez 125 PNJanuary 1, 1979April 1, 1980
657 Flag of Poland.svg FSO Polonez January 1, 1979April 1, 1980
658 Flag of Sweden.svg Saab 99 Turbo SedanFebruary 1, 1979April 1, 1979
659 Flag of Germany.svg Audi 80 1600February 1, 1979December 31, 1981
660 Flag of Germany.svg Porsche 924 Turbo Porsche 924 GTS - 2008 Rallye Deutschland.jpg February 1, 1979April 1, 1979
661 Flag of Germany.svg Daimler-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 'Rallyewagen'.jpg April 1, 1979December 31, 1981
662 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chrysler Sunbeam Lotus 010 EGA 701T Sunbeam (8327696588).jpg April 1, 1979January 1, 1980
663 Flag of Japan.svg Toyota Celica 2000GT Rally RA45 Toyota E-ST165 Celica 2000GT-FOUR (Celica GT-Four) (22022010442).jpg June 1, 1979December 31, 1981
664 Flag of Argentina.svg Renault Argentina 12 AlpineJuly 1, 1979December 31, 1981
665 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Morgan Plus 8 Morgan Plus 8 MMC11 Genf 2018.jpg July 1, 1979December 31, 1981
666 Flag of Germany.svg Opel Ascona 400 Opel Ascona 400 a.JPG November 1, 1979December 31, 1981
668 Flag of Italy.svg Alfa Romeo Alfetta Turbodelta DSC 0155 (25708786278).jpg February 1, 1980December 31, 1981
669 Flag of France.svg Renault 5 Turbo DSC 0530 (15032325035).jpg September 1, 1980April 1, 1981
670 Flag of Germany.svg BMW M1 FoS20162016 0624 104935AA (27274380474).jpg December 1, 1980December 31, 1981
671 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Quattro 2145 Audi Quattro.JPG January 2, 1981January 1, 1982
672 Flag of Germany.svg Porsche 924 Carrera GT Porsche 924 Carrera GT, Rallye Monte Carlo Historique 2025, Bad Homburg (P1032834).jpg January 1, 1981December 31, 1981
673 Flag of Germany.svg Daimler-Benz 500 SLJanuary 1, 1980December 31, 1981
674 Flag of Italy.svg Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT 6 2.5January 1, 1981October 1, 1981
675 Flag of Japan.svg Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo A176AApril 1, 1981December 31, 1981
676 Flag of France.svg Talbot Matra Murena 2.2 Romorantin-Lanthenay (Loir-et-Cher) (52276183249).jpg August 1, 1981December 31, 1981
677 Flag of Germany.svg Volkswagen Golf Mk I 16SDecember 1, 1981December 31, 1981

In addition, cars were homologated for Group 4 as variants of Group 3 cars. Before 1976, this was possible using a "100-off rule": [12] clause bb of Art 260 of Appendix J to the FIA's International Sporting Code 1975 (invoked from Art 266). This rule only required production of 100 of a "bolt-on option kit" of parts, not the production of any modified cars as homologation specials, but was deleted after 1975 and approved components banned "Effective from the end of 1977". [13] Such an approval applies to the Group 4 16-valve TR7, [12] the multi-valve head (and other parts) from the Group 1 Dolomite Sprint being approved as "valid for Group 4" on 1 Oct. 1975 in amendment 1/1V to the Group 3 TR7 homologation papers and reapproved (following production of about 60 16-valve TR7 Sprints in 1977) on 1 Feb. 1978 in amendment 10/8v. [14]

Groups 1-9

Categories and Groups of Appendix J 1954 - 1965
Categories195419551956195719581959196019611962196319641965
I. TouringA. Touring
II. SportsII. Grand TouringB. Grand Touring
-C. Sports
Group195419551956195719581959196019611962196319641965
Group 1 Normal series production
Group 2 "Grand Touring" series prodModified series prodModified series prod
Group 3 Special series productionGrand Touring Cars
Group 4 Series productionNormal GT series prodSports Car
Group 5 InternationalModified GT series prod-
Group 6 -GT specials-
Source: [15] [16]
Categories and Groups of Appendix J 1966 - 1981 (Production requirement)
Categories1966196719681969197019711972197319741975197619771978197919801981
A. Production
B. SpecialB. Experimental CompetitionB. Racing Cars
C. Racing Cars-
Group1966196719681969197019711972197319741975197619771978197919801981
Group 1 Series Touring (5000)
Group 2 Touring (1000)Special Touring (1000)
Group 3 Grand Touring (500)Series Grand Touring (1000)
Group 4 Sportscars (50/25)Special Grand Touring (500)Grand Touring (400)
Group 5 Special Touring CarsSports cars (50)Sports carsSpecial cars derived from Groups 1-4
Group 6 Prototype sportscars-Two-seater racecars
Group 7 Two-seater racecarsInternational formula
Group 8Formula racing carsInternational formulaFormula libre racing cars
Group 9Formula libre racing cars-
Source: [15] [16]
Note: Special may be replaced with Competition in some official documents.

See also

References

  1. Article 252 of the FIA’s Appendix J regulations, 1962 Archived 2006-03-14 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from www.fia.com on 11 February 2009
  2. Article 252 of the FIA’s Appendix J regulations, 1965 Archived 2009-07-11 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from www.fia.com on 11 February 2009
  3. M.L. Twite, The World's Racing Cars, 1971, page 109
  4. Appendix J 1969, Art. 251, Art. 252 Archived 2006-10-17 at the Wayback Machine on www.fia.com
  5. János L Wimpffen, Time and Two Seats, 1999, page 710
  6. M.L. Twite, The World's Racing Cars, 1971, page 99
  7. 1 2 Appendix J 1971, Art. 251, Art. 252 Archived 2005-03-02 at the Wayback Machine on www.fia.com
  8. Appendix J 1976, Art. 251, Art. 252 Archived 2006-03-14 at the Wayback Machine on www.fia.com
  9. Ford GT40 MkI 289 Archived 2007-01-02 at the Wayback Machine on QV500.com
  10. 1970 Ferrari 512 S Archived 2006-12-29 at the Wayback Machine on QV500.com
  11. János L Wimpffen, Time and Two Seats, 1999, page 1347
  12. 1 2 Robson G., The Works Triumphs: 50 Years in Motorsport, 1993, J H Haynes & Co Ltd, ISBN   978-0854299263.
  13. Robson G., "Ford Escort RS1800" Rally Giants, page 16, Veloce Publishing Ltd, 2008, ISBN   1845841409, 9781845841409.
  14. RAC TR7 Homologation papers number 3071.
  15. 1 2 "Regulations - Period Appendix J | FIA Historic Database". historicdb.fia.com. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
  16. 1 2 "APPENDIX K TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING CODE" (PDF).