Mobil 1/RAC British Rally Championship 1997

1997 Sporting & Technical Regulations

CONTENTS
Article 1 - Championship Events
Article 2 - Event Contacts
Article 3 - Sporting Regulations
Article 4 - Registration
Article 5 - Vehicle Categories
Article 6 - Scoring
Article 7 - Ties
Article 8 - Awards
Article 9 - Championship Contacts
Appendix 1 - Group N Production Cup
Previous Winners

Article 1 - Championship Events

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Article 2 - Event Contacts

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Article 3 - Sporting Regulations

The Mobil 1/RAC British Rally Championship is organised and administered by the RACMSA in accordance with the General Regulations of the RAC Motor Sports Associations Ltd (RACMSA) (incorporating the provisions of the International Sporting Code of the FIA) and these Sporting and Technical Regulations.
RACMSA Championship Permit No: 97R/5320

3.2 The Championship is open to drivers, co-drivers and manufacturers registered with the Championship Manager.

3.3 Championship points and positions will be published after each round. Any queries regarding the allocation of points should be made to the Championship Manager (Article 9) within 7 days from the date of publication.

3.4 The organisers of qualifying events retain the sole right to select and accept entries for their events.

It is a competitor's responsibility to obtain event regulations and apply for entries.

3.5 Any dispute relating to the Championship, or the Group N Production Cup, will be referred to the panel of Championship Stewards.

3.6 These regulations together with any subsequent Official Bulletins supersede all others.

3.7 Championship Officials

Championship Manager	John Horton
Eligibility Scrutineer	Mike Harris
Competitor Relations Officer	Gordon Hastie
Championship Stewards	L N Needham J H Richardson D S Cardell

3.8 Competitor Eligibility

3.8.1 Eligibility for the Championship is open to Drivers and Co-Drivers who:-
a) Have applied and had their registration accepted.
b) Hold competition licence valid for the qualifying events.
c) If not RACMSA licence holders have the approval of their ASN to take part in the qualifying events.
d) Compete in a vehicle complying with Article 5 and can provide, on demand, evidence of its eligibility.
e) Drive a vehicle which is fuelled exclusively with unleaded petroleum as defined in BS7070 (unleaded) or BS7800 (super unleaded). Random checks will be made.
f) Make available a nominated area on both sides of the competing car (see diagram below) for the purpose of carrying:-
(i) The official event title.
(ii) The vehicle competition numbers.
(iii) The official championship logos.
(iv) Championship advertising.

3.8.2 Eligibility for the Group N Amateur Drivers and Co-Drivers Cup and the 2 Litre Amateur Drivers and Co-Drivers Cup will be in addition to 3.8.1. as follows:

a) The Driver or Co-Driver must be the bona-fide owner of the competing car and components used in the competition or otherwise enters into a normal commercial arrangement with regard to the leasing, rental or hire purchase of the car or components from another party other than a car manufacturer/importer or a subsidiary or division of same.

b) The Driver or Co-Driver must not receive any substantial or advantageous or direct or indirect manufacturer/importer assistance financial or otherwise, above the level which is freely available from that same manufacturer/importer to all and any other private entrants in the cup who may compete with the same marque of car.

Drivers of cars containing all or any parts homologated as 'Kit' on form VK (FIA) are specifically excluded.

3.8.3 Eligibility for the British Junior Championship will be, in addition to 3.8.1. and 3.8.2., as follows:-
a) A Junior Driver must have been born on or after 1st January 1970.
b) Drive a car complying with Art 3.8.2 a), b), & c).

3.8.4 Eligibility for the Pirelli Ladies Cup will be, in addition to 3.8.1., as follows:-
a) A Lady Driver will only be eligible for points if she is accompanied by a lady Co-Driver.

3.8.5 Eligibility for the Triple Crown will be as follows:-
a) Drivers must be registered for the Mobil 1/RAC British Rally Championship and nominate one country on their registration form, which cannot be changed after registration has been accepted. Only Drivers who are citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland may nominate a 'home' country. This may be the country of birth of the Driver or either parent OR the country of residence.

3.8.6 Eligibility for the Manufacturers' Championship will be as follows:-
a) The Manufacturer must be registered for the Mobil 1/RAC British Rally Championship.
b) The car must be driven by a Driver whose registration has been accepted.
c) The name of the Manufacturer will be that detailed on the FIA homologation form for the car(s) concerned.
d) The use of 'active differentials' in cars eligible to score points for the Manufacturers Championship is prohibited.

3.8.7 Cars driven by registered contenders which are fitted with forward facing cameras must have the official Championship logo displayed on the dashboard. Failure to display the Championship logo will result in forfeiture of points to which the driver, co-driver or manufacturer would have been entitled. The official logo will be supplied and its location agreed by the Championship Manager. The only other dashboard advertising permitted will be the name of the vehicle's manufacturer. Any other in-car advertising, for example on the drivers/co-drivers helmets/overalls, will only be allowed at the discretion of the Championship Manager and the TV production company. Such cameras can only be fitted with the written permission of the Championship Manager.

3.8.8 No advertising of tobacco or tobacco products is permitted in any shape or form in this Championship. Additionally any products that are not permitted to be advertised on UK television are also prohibited.

3.8.9 Championship contenders are prohibited from using any form of tyre heating devices during the course of any Championship event. Contraventions of this regulation will result in the loss of points on the round concerned.

3.8.10 Championship contenders are prohibited from using any form of tyre run flat system during the course of any Championship event. Contravention of this will result in the loss of points on the round concerned.

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Article 4 - Registration

4.1 Drivers, Co-Drivers and Manufacturers are required to register separately for the Championship in order to score points.

4.2 Any Driver or Co-Driver registration deemed by the Championship organisers to be representing a vehicle manufacturer or importer will require that manufacturer or importer to pay the manufacturers registration fee in order for the respective Driver or Co-Driver to be eligible for Championship points.

4.3 Registration opens on publication of these Regulations and closes at the end of documentation prior to the fourth round of the Championship. All accepted registrations will receive a timed and dated receipt of their registration fee. This will be deemed final in respect of valid registration.

NO POINTS WILL BE AWARDED RETROSPECTIVELY.

4.4 Registration fees are as follows:- Drivers: £125.00 each
Co-Drivers: £75.00 each
Manufacturers: On application to the Championship Manager.
(Cheques should be made payable to 'RACMSA Ltd.')
Fees and registration forms should be sent to:
John Horton Motorsport Management,
PO Box 200, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B75 7TR

4.5 Once a Driver or Co-Driver or Manufacturer has been registered it will not be possible to disclaim any points for which they become eligible.

4.6 A list of registered Drivers, Co-Drivers and Manufacturers will be available at each qualifying round.

4.7 By applying for registration Drivers, Co-Drivers and Manufacturers agree to be bound by these Championship Regulations.

4.8 The Championship organiser reserves the right to refuse any application for registration.

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Article 5 - Vehicle Categories

5.1 The Championship will be open to cars currently in the General List of FIA homologated cars in groups A and N, or added to it during the period of the Championship, with two wheel drive and normally aspirated engines not exceeding 2000cc. The vehicles will be divided into two vehicle groups and six capacity classes:

(a) PRODUCTION CARS - GROUP N
Class N1 - Up to and including 1300cc.
Class N2 - Over 1300cc, up to and including 1600cc.
Class N3 - Over 1600cc, up to and including 2000cc.

(a) TOURING CARS - GROUP A
Class A5 - Up to and including 1300cc.
Class A6 - Over 1300cc, up to and including 1600cc.
Class A7 - Over 1600cc, up to and including 2000cc.

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Article 6 - Scoring

6.1 Points will be awarded to registered Drivers, Co-Drivers and Manufacturers relative to their position with other registered Drivers, Co-Drivers and Manufacturers.

6.2 Drivers, Co-Drivers and manufacturers will count their four (4) highest scores towards their final total. Contenders for the Triple Crown will count their scores from all six (6) rounds.
For the purpose of establishing a Drivers, Co-Drivers or Manufacturers four (4) highest scores, points awarded on Rounds 2 and 3 (legs 1 and 2 of the Pirelli International Rally) will be added together.

6.3 No points will be awarded to Drivers, Co-Drivers and Manufacturers at an event where their cars do not carry the official Championship logos and advertising in the positions specified in Articles 3.8.1 and 3.8.7.

6.4 Overall Drivers and Co-drivers Championships

Points will be allocated to registered Drivers and Co-Drivers relative to their position in overall classification as follows:

Overall Rounds:	1	2	3	4	5	6
Highest placed contender	30	15	15	30	35	40
2nd placed	26	13	13	26	31	36
3rd placed	23	11	12	23	28	33
4th placed	21	10	11	21	26	31
5th placed	20	10	10	20	25	30
6th placed	19	9	10	19	24	29
7th placed	18	9	9	18	23	28
8th placed	17	8	9	17	22	27
9th placed	16	8	8	16	21	26
10th placed	15	7	8	15	20	25
11th placed	14	7	7	14	19	24
12th placed	13	6	7	13	18	23
13th placed	12	6	6	12	17	22
14th placed	11	5	6	11	16	21
15th placed	10	5	5	10	15	20
16th placed	9	4	5	9	14	19
17th placed	8	4	4	8	13	18
18th placed	7	3	4	7	12	17
19th placed	6	3	3	6	11	16
20th placed	5	2	3	5	10	15
21st placed	4	2	2	4	9	14
22nd placed	3	1	2	3	8	13
23rd placed	2	1	1	2	7	12
24th placed	1	0	0	1	6	11
and so on down to
29th placed	0	0	0	0	1	6
and so on down to
34th placed	0	0	0	0	0	1

A bonus of 10 points will be awarded to registered contenders who start all five (5) events in a car complying with Article 5.

6.5 Group N Amateur Drivers and Co-Drivers Cup.

Points (and bonus points if appropriate) will be allocated to registered Amateur Drivers and Co-Drivers relative to their position in the overall Group N Amateur Driver classification as set out in the points allocation table in Article 6.4.

6.6 Two Litre Amateur Drivers and Co-Drivers Cup.

Points (and bonus points if appropriate) will be allocated to registered Amateur Drivers and Co-Drivers relative to their position in the overall Two-Litre Amateur Driver classification as per the points allocation table in Article 6.4.

6.7 Pirelli Ladies Cup

Points will be allocated to registered Lady Drivers who comply with the requirements of Article 3.8.4.

Ladies Cup Rounds:	1	2	3	4	5	6
Highest placed contender	16	8	8	16	20	25
2nd placed	12	6	6	12	16	21
3rd placed	9	4	5	9	13	18
4th placed	7	3	4	7	11	16
5th placed	6	3	3	6	10	15
6th placed	5	2	3	5	9	14
7th placed	4	2	2	4	8	13
8th placed	3	1	2	3	7	12
9th placed	2	1	1	2	6	11
10th placed	1	0	1	1	5	10
and so on down to
14th placed	0	0	0	0	1	6
and so on down to
19th placed	0	0	0	0	0	1

A bonus of 10 points will be awarded to Lady Drivers who start all five (5) events.

6.8 British Junior Championship

Points will be allocated to registered Junior Drivers who comply with the requirements of Article 3.8.3.

British Junior Rounds:	1	2	3	4	5	6
Highest placed Junior contender	16	8	8	16	20	25
2nd placed	12	6	6	12	16	21
3rd placed	9	4	5	9	13	18
and so on down as set out in the points allocation table in Article 6.7.

A bonus of 10 points will be awarded to Junior Drivers who start all five (5) events.

6.9 Capacity Class Awards

Points will be allocated to registered Drivers and Co-Drivers in each of the six capacity classes.
This scoring system is entirely separate from the Overall Championship and all other categories.

Capacity Classes Rounds:	1	2	3	4	5	6
Highest placed contender in each class	16	8	8	16	20	25
2nd placed	12	6	6	12	16	21
3rd placed	9	4	5	9	13	18
and so on down as set out in the points allocation table in Article 6.7.

A bonus of 10 points will be awarded to registered contenders who start all five (5) events in a car of the same class.

6.10 Manufacturer's Championship.

Points will be allocated to registered Manufacturers relative to the position of their highest placed car in overall classification, provided that:
a) The car complies with Article 5.
b) The Driver is registered for the Mobil 1/RAC British Rally Championship.

Manufacturers Rounds:	1	2	3	4	5	6
Highest placed car	16	8	8	16	20	25
2nd placed	12	6	6	12	16	21
3rd placed	9	4	5	9	13	18
and so on down as set out in the points allocation table in Article 6.7.

A bonus of 10 points will be awarded to registered manufacturers who start all five (5) events with a car complying with Article 5.

6.11 The 'Triple Crown' Championship for the 'Bruce Trophy'

Points will be allocated to the first three registered cars from each of the home countries (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland [North & Eire combined]) in the overall results of each event. A classification will be established of a maximum of twelve cars.

	Points
Highest placed registered Triple Crown car	12
Second placed registered Triple Crown car	11
and so on down to Twelfth placed registered Triple Crown car	1

If less than 3 cars from one country are classified in the event results, points will be awarded down to 11thplace if one country has only 2 finishers. Points will be awarded down to 10th place if two (2) countries have only two (2) finishers and so on.

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Article 7 - Ties

7.1 Ties will be resolved by reference to the tieing parties allocation of points within the relevant category or class by applying test 7.2 to 7.6 in that order.

7.2 Considering only the four best scores apply tests (a) and (b) below in that order.

(a) In favour of the competitor with the greatest number of maximum scores.
(b) In favour of the competitor with the greatest number of second highest scores, failing that the greatest number of third placed scores and so on until the tie is broken.

7.3 Should the provisions of Article 7.2 not resolve the tie then 7.2 (a & b), in that order, shall be applied to the allocation of scores achieved from ALL rounds.

7.4 Should the provisions of Article 7.2 or 7.3 above not resolve the tie the award shall be given in favour of the competitor with the highest score from their first scoring round.

7.5 Should the provisions of Article 7.2, 7.3 or 7.4 above not resolve the tie then consideration will be given to the overall results of the first event to run in the Championship, in favour of the competitor who achieved the highest overall position in those results.

7.6 Should any of the provisions above fail to resolve the tie, the Championship Stewards will nominate the winner of the tie based on such considerations as they see fit.

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Article 8 - Awards

8.1 Overall Drivers and Co-Drivers Championship
RACMSA perpetual Trophies and replicas

8.2 Manufacturers Championship
RACMSA Trophy

8.3 Two Litre Amateur Driver and Co-Drivers Cup
RACMSA perpetual Trophies and replicas

8.4 Group N Amateur Drivers and Co-Drivers Cup
RACMSA perpetual Trophies and replicas

8.5 Ladies Cup
The Pirelli perpetual Salver and replicas

8.6 Capacity Class Awards
First Overall Driver and Co-Driver in each Class:
RACMSA perpetual Trophies and replicas
Second Overall Driver and Co-Driver in each Class:
RACMSA perpetual Trophies and replicas
Third Overall Driver and Co-Driver in each Class:
RACMSA perpetual Trophies and replicas

8.7 Triple Crown Championship
The Bruce Trophy

8.8 British Junior Championship
RACMSA perpetual Trophies and replicas

Other awards may be made at the organiser's discretion and will be announced in bulletins.

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Article 9 - Championship Contacts

Eligibility Scrutineer
Mike Harris
19 Dawn Close, Ness, South Wirrall, L64 4DS
0151 336 7462 (Tel)
(6pm - 9pm only please)

Championship Media Service
Adrian Bourne, Richard Rodgers
CSS Promotions, CSS House, 12 Great Newport Street, London, WC2H 7JA
0171 379 7989 (Tel)
0171 414 0306 (Fax)

Competitor Relations Officer
Gordon Hastie
67 Laburnum Grove, Torbrex, Stirling, FK8 2PR
01786 462008 (Tel - Home)

Championship Results Service
Martin Liddle
Tynemouth Computer Services, 27 Garforth Close, Southfield Green, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 6EW
01670 712624 (Tel/Fax)

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Appendix 1 - Group N Production Cup

The Group N Production Cup is open to Amateur Drivers and Co-Drivers competing in Turbocharged four wheel drive Group N cars. Cars homologated after 1st October 1996 or cars containing any evolutions or variants detailed on FIA forms Vo, VF, VK, ET or ES and dated after 1st October 1996 are not eligible.
FIA forms ER dated after 1st October 1996 are acceptable.

All Regulations remain as written for the Mobil 1/RAC British Rally Championship except for the following which are modified or do not apply:

Article 3.2 The Cup is open to drivers and co-drivers registered with the Championship Manager.

Article 3.8.1 (d) Compete in a Group N car homologated prior to 1.10.96 with an engine capacity exceeding 2000 cc (Class N4 of event regulations).

Articles 3.8.2, 3.8.3, 3.8.4, 3.8.5, 3.8.6 do not apply.

Article 4.1 Drivers and Co-drivers are required to register separately.

Article 4.2 does not apply.

Article 4.4 Fees: Drivers - £75 Co-drivers - £50

Article 5 Does not apply. Refer to first paragraph above.

Article 6.1 Points will be awarded to registered Drivers and Co-drivers relative to their position with other registered contenders in Class N4 of the event results. Scoring will be as listed in Article 6.4.

Articles 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11 do not apply.

Article 8 Awards. RACMSA perpetual trophies and replicas to driver and Co-driver.

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RAC BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
1958	Ron Gouldbourn	Stuart Turner	Triumph TR3A
1959	John Sprinzel	Stuart Turner	Austin Healey Sprite
1960	Bill Bengry	David Skeffington	Volkswagen 1200
1961	Bill Bengry	David Skeffington	Volkswagen 1500
1962	Tony Fisher	Brian Melia	Mini Cooper
1963	Tony Fisher	Brian Melia	Mini Cooper
1964	Eric Jackson	Ken Joseph	Ford Cortina GT
1965	Roger Clark	Jim Porter	Ford Cortina GT
1966	Roy Fidler	Alan Taylor	Triumph 2000
1967	Jim Bullough	Don Barrow	Ford Lotus Cortina
1968	Colin Malkin	John Brown	Hillman Rallye Imp
1969	John Bloxham	Richard Harper	Lancia Fulvia/Ford Escort TC
1970	Will Sparrow	Nigel Raeburn	Mini Cooper S
1971	Chris Sclater	Martin Holmes	Ford Escort RS1600
1972	Roger Clark	Jim Porter	Ford Escort RS1600
1973	Roger Clark	Jim Porter	Ford Escort RS1600
1974	Billy Coleman	Dan O'Sullivan	Ford Escort RS1600
1975	Roger Clark	Jim Porter	Ford Escort RS1800
1976	Ari Vatanen	Peter Bryant	Ford Escort RS1800
1977	Russell Brookes	John Brown	Ford Escort RS1800
RACMSA BRITISH OPEN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
1978	Hannu Mikkola	Arne Hertz	Ford Escort RS1800
1979	Pentti Airikkala	Risto Vatanen	Vauxhall Chevette HS
1980	Ari Vatanen	David Richards	Ford Escort
1981	Jimmy McRae	Ian Grindrod	Opel Ascona 400
1982	Jimmy McRae	Ian Grindrod	Opel Ascona 400
1983	Stig Blomqvist	Bjorn Cederberg	Audi Quattro
1984	Jimmy McRae	Mike Nicholson	Opel Manta 400
1985	Russell Brookes	Mike Broad	Opel Manta 400
1986	Mark Lovell	Roger Freeman	Ford RS2000
1987	Jimmy McRae	Ian Grindrod	Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
1988	Jimmy McRae	Rob Arthur	Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
1989	David Llewellin	Phil Short	Toyota Celica GT-Four
RACMSA BRITISH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
1990	David Llewellin	Phil Short	Toyota Celica GT-Four
1991	Colin McRae	Derek Ringer	Subaru Legacy
1992	Colin McRae	Derek Ringer	Subaru Legacy
1993	Richard Burns	Robert Reid	Subaru Legacy
1994	Malcolm Wilson	Bryan Thomas	Ford Escort Cosworth
1995	Alister McRae	David Senior	Nissan Sunny GTi
1996	Gwyndaf Evans	Howard Davies	Ford Escort RS2000

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Last Modified: 07 April 1997