1976 Southern Cross International Rally

There were few changes to the regulations this year although for the first time, special stages were timed (but not scored) to the second.

Some interesting excerpts from the Supplementary Regulations:

Entry fee and prizemoney

The classification of entries from the previous years was modified with the removal of the distinction between minor and major trade. There was a significant rise in entry fees. All fees were subject to a 50% late fee if received after August 20th.

Private entries, $175

Commercial/trade entries: $500

Manufacturer entries: $750

Total Oil sponsorship allowed the prizemoney pool to be maintained at $10,000. Outright first still received $1000 while class winners no longer recived a cash award. Significant cash prizes were offered for uncategorised drivers (in terms of starting order categories), starting from $600 for first such driver.

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 Group 2 and 4 vehicles produced prior to 1976 had to run in Group 4. Provision was also made for Australian Group G (with a Log Book required) and New Zealand MANZ vehicles, but only for Australian and NZ registered vehicles respectively.

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 500 km (or 250 km with service crew provision of fuel), an increase on previous years.

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 the previous year.

The 84dbA noise emission limit continued.

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 1600 cc Group G and MANZ
• Class N: 1601 cc and over Group G and MANZ

Classes required a minimum of 5 entries otherwise they would be combined.

Timing and Scoring

For the first time, all arrival times were recorded to the second, although scoring was still one point per minute or part thereof late or early. In an effort to reduce the workload of control officials at special stage ends, the start time for the subsequent touring stage was taken to be the arrival time read to the forward minute and crews were not held in control. Contrary to the previous year, crews were able enter controls early and nominate their time.

Other penalties were simplified with missing controls, wrong directions of entry/exit or wrong sequence all costing 100 points.

Late time was maintained at 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, from the correct direction and within late time. Like the previous year, late time could not be recouped by booking in early.

As with previous years, penalties were also listed for exceeding posted speed limits, but harsher starting with 10 points (equivalent to 10 minutes) for up to 15 km/h over the limit.

Other

While starting order was again based on driver categories, this was simplified somewhat to only four categories, with the organisers seeding 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 1971. The third category was for drivers who had finished up to 3rd in an international rally since 1973, won a national champiosnhip rally since 1975 and any other manufacturer entries.

As with previous years, cars were not allowed to be worked on by service crews on special stages, except for designated service periods such as the one provided in the middle of the long special stage. No work was permitted while in control, including of course when in parc ferme.