In international motorsport, Group 1 referred to FIA regulations for cars in touring car racing and rallying. Throughout its existence the group retained a definition of being standard, series production touring cars, and of having a character of being unmodified or not specifically prepared for racing. The class was introduced in the then new Appendix J of the International Sporting Code in 1954 and was replaced by Group N in 1982.[1][2]

The Alfasud TI Group 1 of Alfa Romeo at the 1974 Rallye Sanremo
Daihatsu Charade Safari Rally Group 1 (1982)

History

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From its inception in 1954 until 1965, Group 1, officially documented at first as the first group, was included in Category I (or A), Touring Cars, with a production requirement of between 600 and 1000 cars in a 12 month period.[2] The two categories had up to six groups in this time era, but not consistently or retaining the same definitions.

In 1966 the FIA categories were restructured and Group 1 were placed in Category A, Production Cars, with Category B and C used for Sports and Racing cars respectively. Group 1 essentially remained the same in character but with a heightened production requirement of 5000 cars.[3] In 1982 the numbered groups were replaced by Groups N, A, B, C, D and E.

Groups 1-9

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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:[4][1]
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:[4][1]
Note: Special may be replaced with Competition in some official documents.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "APPENDIX K TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING CODE" (PDF).
  2. ^ a b "Appendix J to the International Sporting Code 1955" (PDF).
  3. ^ "Appendix J, ISC 1966" (PDF) (in French).
  4. ^ a b "Regulations - Period Appendix J | FIA Historic Database". historicdb.fia.com. Retrieved 2022-05-19.