A significant change this year was the inclusion of CAMS Group G cars, bordering on unlimited modifications. The requirement for being a finisher was raised to 80% of controls on each division, but perhaps more significant was that cars were no longer able to book in early on touring sections to recoup late time. This resulted in only 7 cars finishing.
Some interesting excerpts from the Supplementary Regulations:
Entry fee and prizemoney
Trade entries were separated into minor trade (crew member owns the vehicle) and major trade (vehicle not owned by a crew member but is not a manufacturer). All fees were subject to a 50% fee if recieved after August 31st.
Private entries, $110
Minor trade entries: $160
Major trade entries: $360
Manufacturer entries: $510
Total Oil sponsorship allowed the prizemoney pool to be maintained at $5,000. Outright first received $1000 while class winners (20 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). A seperate category was provided for the new CAMS Group G National Rally Cars with 500 units annual production). All vehicles were permitted modifications in such aspects as extra lights (maximum 4 additional), internal crew protection, under body protection, additional fuel tanks etc. It was recommended that vehicles have a fuel range of 400 km (or 200 km with service crew provision of fuel).
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 mandatory for all vehicles.
For the first time the regulations explicitly banned the use of radio transmitters in competing 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
- Class N: 1301-1600 cc Group 4
- Class O: 1601-2000 cc Group 4
- Class P: 2001 and over cc Group 4
- Class Q: Up to 1300 cc CAMS Group G
- Class R: 1301-1600 cc CAMS Group G
- Class S: 1601-2000 cc CAMS Group G
- Class T: 2001 and over CAMS Group
Classes required a minimum of 5 entries otherwise they would be combined.
Timing and Scoring
For the first time sections were clearly nominated as either touring stages or special stages. Timing was nevertheless to the forward minute on all stages except where otherwise specified in route instructions (and this was never used). Crews could no longer enter controls early at the end of touring stages. Scoring was changed somewhat, seemingly to discourage speeding on touring stages with no penalty for lateness of up to 10 minutes on touring stages (but late time would accrue). Additionally, there was no penalty for early arrival on special stages, which meant that if a crew had passed another car but were early, they could hold road position.
Similar to previous years, wrong directions of entry/exit to/from main controls incurred 180 points, the same as missing a main control (or exceeding late time). Missing a passage control, or visiting them out of sequence cost 60 points whereas entering one the wrong way cost 180 points.
Late time was prescribed to be 120 minutes per division. The event was broken in four divisions. The 30 minutes grace for end of division was re-introduced. For the first time competitors were required to report to at least 80% of main controls in each division, in the correct direction and within late time.
As with previous years, penalties were also listed for exceeding posted speed limits, starting with 5 points (equivalent to 5 minutes) for up to 10 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 3rd in any international rally since 1971. The third category was for drivers who finished up to 6th in an initernational rally prior to 1971 or up to 12th in an international rally since 1971 or up to 3rd in a national championship rally since 1971. The fourth category was drivers who had completed the course of an international rally or finished up to 12th in a national championship rally.
In a subtle change, cars were not allowed to be worked on by service crews on special stages. No work was permitted while in control, including of course when in parc ferme.
For the first time “Control Ahead” and “Timing” markers were specified to be used at the end of Special Stages.
