A significant change this year was the inclusion of CAMS Group C cars, so allowing the new Torana XU1 to run. For the first time there was a requirement to complete 75% of each division in order to finish.
Some interesting excerpts from the Supplementary Regulations:
Entry fee and prizemoney
The distinction between private and trade entries was further developed to recognise manufacturer entries.
Private entries, early $75, late $100
Trade entries: early $100, late $150.
Manufacturer entries: early $1000, late $1500 for the first car, early $500, late $750 for additional cars.
Total Oil sponsorship allowed an increase in the prizemoney pool to $5,000. Outright first received $1000 while class winners (16 classes) received $100 each.
Vehicle eligibility
Vehicles had to be roadworthy and two-wheel drive and like the previous year, eligibility was 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). However locally manufactured vehicles recognised by CAMS under Group C (Production Touring Cars) were also eligible.
All vehicles were permitted modifications in such aspects as extra lights (maximum 4 additional), internal crew protection, under body protection, additional fuel tanks etc. The actual detail of certain modifications, especially additional lights, was much more prescriptive than previously. It was recommended that vehicles have a fuel range of 300 km.
All vehicles had to carry a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and reflective triangles. Seat belts, proper mudflaps and towing points were required. Roll bars were now mandatory for all vehicles.
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 and over cc Group 1
- Class E Up to 1300 cc Group 2
- Class F: 1301-1600 cc Group 2
- Class G: 1601-2000 cc Group 2
- Class H: 2001 and over cc Group 2
- Class I Up to 1300 cc Group 3
- Class J: 1301-1600 cc Group 3
- Class K: 1601-2000 cc Group 3
- Class L: 2001 and over cc Group 3
- Class M: Up to 1300 cc Group 4 and CAMS Group C
- Class N: 1301-1600 cc Group 4 and CAMS Group C
- Class O: 1601-2000 cc Group 4 and CAMS Group C
- Class P: 2001 and over cc Group 4 and CAMS Group C
Classes required a minimum of 5 entries otherwise they would be combined.
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. There was a small “out clause” for Special Sections, and a small number of such sections were timed to the quarter minute.
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 120 minutes per division, a small increment on the previous year. However, after the first night the late time was extended to 3 hours for the remaining three nights. The event was broken in four divisions. The previous year’s requirement for awards to be only available to competitors who had completed at least 75% of each division was missing from this year’s regulations.
As with the previous year, penalties were also listed for exceeding posted speed limits, starting with 5 points (equivalent to 5 minutes) for up to 8 km/h over the limit.
Other
Starting order was by ballot within five similar categories to the previous year. The first category was FIA seeded drivers. The second category was for drivers placed up to 6th in any international rally since 1970. The third category was for drivers who finished up to 6th in an international rally prior to 1970 or up to 12th in an international rally since 1970 or up to 6th in a national championship rally since 1970. The fourth category was drivers who had completed the course of an international rally or national championship rally since 1970.
Like the previous year, cars were not allowed to be worked upon in control, including of course, while in parc ferme.
This was the first years where kilometres were used for the route instructions.
