There were few changes from the previous year but perhaps because of the small number of finishers in 1974, late time limits were increased and the requirement to correctly visit a proportion of main controls in each division reverted to 75%.
Some interesting excerpts from the Supplementary Regulations:
Entry fee and prizemoney
The classification of entries from the previous year remained unchanged, with all fees subject to a 50% late fee if received after August 22nd.
Private entries, $125
Minor trade entries: $175
Major trade entries: $400
Manufacturer entries: $600
Total Oil sponsorship allowed the prizemoney pool to be expanded to $10,000. Outright first still received $1000 while class winners (maximum of 10 classes) received $100 each. Significant cash prizes were offered for private entries, starting from $600 for first privateer.
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). Two seperate categories were provided for the CAMS Group G (National Rally Cars with 500 units annual production) and MANZ (New Zealand) regulations. 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, but without the cross brace that had been introduced into regulations that year.
For the first time there was an 84dbA noise emission limit imposed.
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 1600 cc Group 3
- Class J: 1601 and over cc Group 3
- Class K: Up to 1600 cc Group 4
- Class L: 1601 and over cc Group 4
- Class M: Up to 1600cc Group G and MANZ
- Class N: 1601 and over cc Group G and MANZ
Classes required a minimum of 5 entries otherwise they would be combined. There appeared to be no class awards for Group G or MANZ cars.
Timing and Scoring
Timing was to the forward minute on all stages except where otherwise specified in route instructions (and this was never used). Crews were not able to enter ANY controls early without penalty (unclear how this played out at the end of special stages). Scoring was simplified with one point per minute or part therof early or late at main controls.
Penalties for missed controls reverted to the 1973 and earlier system, with 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 visiting them out of sequence cost 100 points whereas entering one the wrong way cost 200 points.
Following the previous year’s small list of finishers, late time was increased to 150 minutes per division and the 30 minutes grace at division end was continued. The event was broken in four divisions. Competitors were required to report to at least 75% of main controls in each division, in the correct direction and within late time. However, late time could no longer be recouped by booking in early.
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
While starting order was again based on driver categories (six instead of the previous five), this year the organisers seeded drivers within categories rather than using a ballot. The first category was FIA seeded drivers. The second category was for drivers placed up to 3rd in any FIA Rally Championship event since 1970. The third category was for drivers who had finished up to 3rd in an international rally since 1972. The fourth category was for drivers who finished up to 12th in an international rally prior to 1972 or up to 6th in a national championship rally since 1972. The fifth category was drivers who had completed the course of an international rally or finished up to 12th in a national championship rally.
As with the previous year, 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.
