Group 7 (motorsport)

Group 7 was a set of regulations for automobile racing created by the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI), a division of the modern Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.

There were two distinct sets of Group 7 regulations:

  • Group 7 two-seater racing cars (1966 to 1975)
  • Group 7 international formula racing cars (1976 to 1981)

Group 7 two-seater racing cars (1966 to 1975)

A field of Group 7 cars participating in a Can-Am race in 1973

The FIA's new Appendix J regulations for 1966 listed a category for "Group 9 two-seater racing cars" in its draft versions, but this was amended to "Group 7 two-seater racing cars" by the time of publication of the 1966 FIA Yearbook.[1] The new Group 7 regulations specified that cars must be fitted with fenders, windshield, two seats, two doors, headlights, taillights, rollbar, a dual braking system and a self-starter and that they must utilize commercial gasoline.[1]

Group 7 cars were defined as "two-seater competition vehicles built exclusively for speed races on closed circuit".[2] There was no minimum production requirement necessary to earn homologation. As such, the regulations allowed manufacturers and teams freedom to create unique racing cars with no limitations on engines, tires, aerodynamics, or dimensions, as long as the car had room for two seats and was enclosed in bodywork. Races for Group 7 cars were generally short sprints, with few accommodations made for driver comfort.

Although the formula only existed for ten years, Group 7 was embraced by several series around the world, with the Sports Car Club of America running its United States Road Racing Championship for Group 7 cars from 1966 to 1968. Its Canadian-American Challenge Cup, better known as Can-Am, was also open to Group 7 cars from 1966 to 1974. In Europe, the Nordic Challenge Cup ran in 1969, replaced by the Interserie in 1970 before the series later adopted a Formula Libre format. Early editions of the Japanese Grand Prix were dominated by Group 7 cars built by Japanese manufacturers.

Many manufacturers became involved in Group 7, with McLaren and Porsche building the most dominant cars in the category. Manufacturers Lola, Chaparral, Ferrari, BRM, Shadow, Nissan, Toyota, and Isuzu all built Group 7 cars, while big-block Chevrolet and Ford motors were the engines of choice throughout the world.

The formula was current through to 1975,[3] with two-seater racing cars defined under Group 6 regulations from 1976.[4]

Group 7 international formula racing cars (1976 to 1981)

From 1976 the FIA used the Group 7 designation for international formula racing cars.[4] The new Group 7 encompassed International Formulae Nos 1, 2 and 3,[4] better known as Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 respectively. It remained current through to 1981.[5]

Groups 1-9

Categories and Groups of Appendix J 1954 - 1965
Categories 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965
I. Touring A. Touring
II. Sports II. Grand Touring B. Grand Touring
- C. Sports
Group 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965
Group 1 Normal series production
Group 2 "Grand Touring" series prod Modified series prod Modified series prod
Group 3 Special series production Grand Touring Cars
Group 4 Series production Normal GT series prod Sports Car
Group 5 International Modified GT series prod -
Group 6 - GT specials -
Source:[6][7]
Categories and Groups of Appendix J 1966 - 1981 (Production requirement)
Categories 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981
A. Production
B. Special B. Experimental Competition B. Racing Cars
C. Racing Cars -
Group 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981
Group 1 Series Touring (5000)
Group 2 Touring (1000) Special Touring (1000)
Group 3 Grand Touring (500) Series Grand Touring (1000)
Group 4 Sportscars (50/25) Special Grand Touring (500) Grand Touring (400)
Group 5 Special Touring Cars Sports cars (50) Sports cars Special cars derived from Groups 1-4
Group 6 Prototype sportscars - Two-seater racecars
Group 7 Two-seater racecars International formula
Group 8 Formula racing cars International formula Formula libre racing cars
Group 9 Formula libre racing cars -
Source:[6][7]
Note: Special may be replaced with Competition in some official documents.

References

  1. ^ a b Part 6: Is it 1966 Already? Finally!, atlasf1.autosport.com Retrieved on 29 October 2014
  2. ^ Appendix J to the International Sporting Code 1968, argent.fia.com Retrieved on 1 November 2014
  3. ^ Appendix J to the International Sporting Code 1975, argent.fia.com Retrieved on 1 November 2014
  4. ^ a b c Appendix J to the International Sporting Code 1976, argent.fia.com Retrieved on 1 November 2014
  5. ^ Appendix J to the International Sporting Code 1981, argent.fia.com Retrieved on 1 November 2014
  6. ^ a b "Regulations - Period Appendix J | FIA Historic Database". historicdb.fia.com. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
  7. ^ a b "APPENDIX K TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING CODE" (PDF).