Admin
04-02-2009, 12:33 AM
Group C Touring Cars represent the period 1973 to 1984 and it was during this period the legends of Touring Car racing of today and the recent past forged their reputations. It was the period that strengthened the Ford vs Holden rivalry that is the basis of today’s V8 Supercars.
The demise of Group C Touring cars in 1984, marked the end of one of the most significant era's in Australian touring car history. Bathurst' 84 was promoted as "The Last of the Big Bangers", the cars were unmistakably loud in every way, from the noise, to the flared guards, large spoilers and vibrant colour schemes. Group C produced some of the most recognized cars and drivers in Australian touring car history. Names like Johnson came to prominence during the Group C era with the “rock” incident of 1980, and the Greens Tuf Falcon. The 1-2 finish of Moffat and Bond from 1977 Bathurst, and a string of Holdens Torana's and Commodores that made Brock a household name.
As well as the well known cars, there were the strange and unusual cars, The Exa turbo of Christine Gibson, The very successful Ford Capri's where names like Seton started, The black 635 BMW of Richards. The concept of a race within a race was
forged with Escorts battling Celicas , Dolomites and Alfas for the glory in the under 2 Litre Category. Marques such as Audi VW Mazda and Datsun/Nissan left an indelible mark on touring car racing in this country during this period.
The cars racing are not replica's, they are the actual cars raced during 1973 to1984. Many of the cars still carry the names of sponsors and drivers now long gone from motor racing, with admission of Group C to the 5th Category in 2002 these cars find a place to race and recreate the era when flares were the “in” thing and not only for your jeans.
The Group C Touring Car Association represents this diverse group of competitors and is committed to ensuring that the category develops as an integral part of the historic scene. The association has also included in its ranks the Group A era to 1989 which, like Group C, includes some truly diverse vehicles as well as continuing the class structure. Again these cars are original vehicles and the opportunity to race in this class has saved many of them, like the Group C cars, from an ignoble end to their racing careers. These cars when running are as “invited” vehicles and certainly will add to the spectacle of the racing.
The demise of Group C Touring cars in 1984, marked the end of one of the most significant era's in Australian touring car history. Bathurst' 84 was promoted as "The Last of the Big Bangers", the cars were unmistakably loud in every way, from the noise, to the flared guards, large spoilers and vibrant colour schemes. Group C produced some of the most recognized cars and drivers in Australian touring car history. Names like Johnson came to prominence during the Group C era with the “rock” incident of 1980, and the Greens Tuf Falcon. The 1-2 finish of Moffat and Bond from 1977 Bathurst, and a string of Holdens Torana's and Commodores that made Brock a household name.
As well as the well known cars, there were the strange and unusual cars, The Exa turbo of Christine Gibson, The very successful Ford Capri's where names like Seton started, The black 635 BMW of Richards. The concept of a race within a race was
forged with Escorts battling Celicas , Dolomites and Alfas for the glory in the under 2 Litre Category. Marques such as Audi VW Mazda and Datsun/Nissan left an indelible mark on touring car racing in this country during this period.
The cars racing are not replica's, they are the actual cars raced during 1973 to1984. Many of the cars still carry the names of sponsors and drivers now long gone from motor racing, with admission of Group C to the 5th Category in 2002 these cars find a place to race and recreate the era when flares were the “in” thing and not only for your jeans.
The Group C Touring Car Association represents this diverse group of competitors and is committed to ensuring that the category develops as an integral part of the historic scene. The association has also included in its ranks the Group A era to 1989 which, like Group C, includes some truly diverse vehicles as well as continuing the class structure. Again these cars are original vehicles and the opportunity to race in this class has saved many of them, like the Group C cars, from an ignoble end to their racing careers. These cars when running are as “invited” vehicles and certainly will add to the spectacle of the racing.