A significant change this year was the inclusion of FIA Group 3 and 4 cars, and the requirement for roll bars for all except Group 1 cars.
Some interesting excerpts from the Supplementary Regulations:
Entry fee and prizemoney
For the first time there was a distinction between private and “professional” entries, the latter defined as where the entrant is a trade, group or commercial enterprise.
Private entries, early $80, late $160
Professional entries: early $110, late $220.
The return of Rothmans sponsorship saw a modest increase in the prizemoney pool to $3,000. Outright first received $500 while class winners (14 classes) received $100 each.
Vehicle eligibility
Vehicles had to be roadworthy and two-wheel drive and like the previous year, eligibility was aligned with FIA regulations, but with the addition of Groups 3 and 4. Therefore cars had to be FIA Group 1 (Series Production Touring Cars with 5000 annual production units), Group 2 (Special Touring Cars with 1000 annual production units), Group 3 (Series Production Grant Touring Cars with 1000 annual production) or Group 4 (Special Grand Touring Cars with 500 annual production units). All vehicles were permitted modifications in such aspects as extra lights (maximum 6), internal crew protection, under body protection, additional fuel tanks etc. It was recommended that vehicles have a fuel range of 250 miles.
All vehicles had to carry a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and reflective triangles. Seat belts, proper mudflaps and towing points were required. For the first time roll bars were mandatory for all except Group 1 vehicles, for which they were strongly recommended.
Classes
Class A: Up to 1300 cc Group 1
Class B: 1301-1600 cc Group 1
Class C: 1601-2000 cc Group 1
Class D: 2001-3000 cc Group 1
Class E: 3001 cc and over Group 1
Class F Up to 1300 cc Group 2
Class G: 1301-1600 cc Group 2
Class H: 1601-2000 cc Group 2
Class I: 2001-3000 cc Group 2
Class J: 3001 cc and over Group 2
Class K: Up to 1600 cc Group 3
Class L: 1601 cc and over Group 3
Class M: Up to 1600 cc Group 4
Class N: 1601 cc and over Group 4
Timing and Scoring
Timing was to the forward minute except on Special Sections, with crews able to nominate their time if early. Scoring was strictly 1 point per minute early or late, with no provision for Special Sections, which were presumably only timed for the purposes of special awards.
Like the previous year, wrong directions of entry/exit to/from main controls incurred 200 points, the same as missing a main control (or exceeding late time). Missing a passage control or entering one the wrong way cost 100 points.
Exceeding late time at a stage end resulted in exclusion. Late time was prescribed to be 100 minutes per division, a significant reduction on previous years. The event was broken in four divisions. While there was no requirement to complete any particular proportion of the course in order to be classified as a finisher, awards were only available to those who reported to at least 75% of main controls in each division.
For the first time penalties were also listed for exceeding posted speed limits, starting with 5 points (equivalent to 5 minutes) for up to 5 mph over the limit.
Other
Similar to previous years, starting order was by ballot within five categories. This year the first category was FIA seeded drivers. The second category was for drivers placed up to 6th in any international rally since 1967. The third category was for drivers who finished up to 6th in an international rally prior to 1967 or up to 12th in an international rally since 1967 or up to 6th in a national championship rally since 1967. The fourth category was drivers who had completed the course of an international rally or national championship rally since 1967.
For the first time, the starting order on each night was based on the overall positions with the leader being first on the road.
Like the previous year, cars were not allowed to be worked upon in control, including of course, while in parc ferme. For the first time, service vehicles had to be registered.
For the first time the regulations specified that fully tuliped route instructions would be provided.
