Appendix J Touring Cars
Encyclopedia
Appendix J Touring Cars was an Australian
motor racing category for modified, production based sedans. It was the premier form of Touring car racing
in Australia from 1960 to 1964.
The category was introduced by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport
to take effect from January 1960. Prior to the introduction of Appendix J, there had been no national regulations for touring car racing in Australia with individual race promoters applying differing rules regarding eligibility and modification of the cars being raced. Under Appendix J, eligibility was restricted to closed cars with seating for four persons and at least one hundred examples of the model had to have been produced. Bodywork and interior trim had to remain virtually standard, however engines and suspensions could be modified to improve performance and handling. Modifications were permitted in the areas of carburettors, valves, pistons, camshafts, inlet systems, exhaust systems, springs and shock absorbers. Cars competed in numerous classes based on engine capacity with the regulations allowing an increase in capacity up to the limit of the relevant class. Many highly modified cars which were no longer eligible to compete as Touring Cars found a home in another new CAMS category, Appendix K. This was ostensibly for GT cars
but in reality allowed virtually any form of closed vehicle to participate
The Australian Touring Car Championship
was run to Appendix J rules from its inception in 1960 up to and including the 1964 title. The inaugural Australian Touring Car Championship race
at Gnoo Blas circuit
at Orange, New South Wales
on 1 February 1960 was in fact the first race to be run under the new Appendix J formula.
From January 1965, Appendix J was replaced by a new category, Group C
for Improved Production Touring Cars.
In 1981 CAMS introduced the Group N Touring Cars
category which was intended to recreate the style of racing which had existed under the Appendix J rules. Originally Group N was restricted to cars manufactured before January 1965 however this was later extended to permit models produced up to the end of 1972.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
motor racing category for modified, production based sedans. It was the premier form of Touring car racing
Touring car racing
Touring car racing is a general term for a number of distinct auto racing competitions in heavily-modified street cars. It is notably popular in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Scandinavia and Britain.-Characteristics of a touring car:...
in Australia from 1960 to 1964.
The category was introduced by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport
Confederation of Australian Motor Sport
The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport , has been the governing body of Australian motorsport since 1953. It is affiliated with the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile ....
to take effect from January 1960. Prior to the introduction of Appendix J, there had been no national regulations for touring car racing in Australia with individual race promoters applying differing rules regarding eligibility and modification of the cars being raced. Under Appendix J, eligibility was restricted to closed cars with seating for four persons and at least one hundred examples of the model had to have been produced. Bodywork and interior trim had to remain virtually standard, however engines and suspensions could be modified to improve performance and handling. Modifications were permitted in the areas of carburettors, valves, pistons, camshafts, inlet systems, exhaust systems, springs and shock absorbers. Cars competed in numerous classes based on engine capacity with the regulations allowing an increase in capacity up to the limit of the relevant class. Many highly modified cars which were no longer eligible to compete as Touring Cars found a home in another new CAMS category, Appendix K. This was ostensibly for GT cars
Grand tourer
A grand tourer is a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving. The most common format is a two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement....
but in reality allowed virtually any form of closed vehicle to participate
The Australian Touring Car Championship
Australian Touring Car Championship
The Australian Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing award held in Australia since 1960. The series itself is no longer contested, but the title lives on, with the winner of the V8 Supercar Championship Series awarded the trophy and title of Australian Touring Car Champion.-History:The...
was run to Appendix J rules from its inception in 1960 up to and including the 1964 title. The inaugural Australian Touring Car Championship race
1960 Australian Touring Car Championship
The 1960 Australian Touring Car Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Appendix J Touring Cars. The title, which was the inaugural Australian Touring Car Championship, was contested over a single 20 lap, 75 mile race held on 1 February 1960 at the Gnoo Blas circuit...
at Gnoo Blas circuit
Gnoo Blas circuit
Gnoo Blas circuit was a motor racing circuit at Orange, New South Wales, Australia. The circuit was formed from rural roads and highways outside of the town, around the grounds of Bloomfield Hospital and what is now known as Sir Jack Brabham Park. It was 6.03 km long...
at Orange, New South Wales
Orange, New South Wales
Orange is a city in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. It is west of the state capital, Sydney, at an altitude of . Orange has an estimated population of 39,329 and the city is a major provincial centre....
on 1 February 1960 was in fact the first race to be run under the new Appendix J formula.
From January 1965, Appendix J was replaced by a new category, Group C
Group C (Australia)
In relation to Australian motorsport, Group C refers to either of two sets of regulations devised by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport for use in Australian touring car racing from 1965 to 1984...
for Improved Production Touring Cars.
In 1981 CAMS introduced the Group N Touring Cars
Group N Touring Cars
Group N Touring Cars is an Australian motor racing category for touring cars built before December 1972.The category was introduced in 1981 and was initially known as Group N Saloon Cars . Cars had to be series production type saloons with seating for four, manufactured prior to 31 December 1964,...
category which was intended to recreate the style of racing which had existed under the Appendix J rules. Originally Group N was restricted to cars manufactured before January 1965 however this was later extended to permit models produced up to the end of 1972.