Australian Super Touring Championship
Encyclopedia
The Australian Super Touring Championship was a CAMS
sanctioned national motor racing title for Super Touring Cars.
replaced the existing Group 3A Touring Car category (which had been based on FIA Group A
rules) with a new two class Group 3A. This encompassed both 2.0 Litre FIA Class II Touring Cars and 5.0 Litre Touring Cars, which would later become known as Super Touring Cars and V8 Supercars respectively.
In their first year the Class II cars were eligible to compete in both the Australian Touring Car Championship
and in their own Australian 2.0 Litre Touring Car Championship which was run with the main series. This revived a name which had been used in 1986 & 1987 for a national title series for 2.0 Litre “Group A” Touring Cars. For 1994 the Class II cars contested their own separate series, the 1994 Australian Manufacturers' Championship
, with both Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles awarded. 1995 saw the Super Touring name adopted for the category, the Australian Super Touring Championship name applied to the series and a Teams’ title added to the existing Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ awards.
The series was seen as an opportunity for Manufacturer involvement in Australian racing since the 5.0 litre category was the exclusive domain of Ford
and Holden
under the regulations, in the hope that manufacturers like BMW
, Nissan
and Toyota who had been involved in recent years of the preceding category, Group A
might continue to race in Australia. Nissan showed no interest and has not raced in Australia since, but Toyota jumped immediately into the 1993 series with a two car factory team run by Colin Bond
, however after losing the title to a privateer BMW team, Toyota pulled out. BMW stepped into the series in 1994, with Audi
, Hyundai
and Volvo
following in 1995 with both Ford and Holden giving back door support to privately operated teams on and off for the next three seasons. Hyundai did not stay beyond its first season. BMW and Audi alternated championship success from 1995 to 1998. BMW pulled out after the 1997 series. Both Audi and Volvo ended their involvement after the 1999 season, leaving the category as a privateer series which then rapidly dwindled.
After a small scale 2000/2001 series
where grids had been bolstered by the Future Touring category the series ceased to be self-supporting. In 2005 Super Touring cars were included in the class structure of the new Australian Touring Car Challenge series but were little more than one class among many and race wins, even in a handicap based structure, became rare. By 2007 as little as one or two cars appeared at each race meeting, the category has all but disappeared.
engineers, Andy Rouse
. Their concept was simple, to create a formula that would give new manufacturers the opportunity to enter the series and be able to compete against the more experienced manufacturers without the associated high costs of the existing Group A
rules.
The changes would also give the rule makers the opportunity to turn the complex multi-class British Touring Car Championship into a single class championship, allowing drivers to win from the front rather than from within individual classes.
To achieve their goals, the rules targeted the type of car most manufacturers produced, a mid-range 4 door family saloon with a 2 litre normally aspirated multi-valve engine having a minimum production run of 2500 in one year. To enable the cars to be easily recognised on the track, the rules dictated that the car's body shape had to remain the same as the production model, but most other areas of the car could be modified specifically for racing.
Under the bonnet only the original engine block and head must remain from the production car but engine revs are limited to 8500 RPM to aid reliability and reduce costs. Racing transmissions and suspensions could be incorporated, but the suspension had to remain true to the original design of the road going model. Closer racing was also engineered into the rules by having different weight limits for front and rear wheel drive, and by limiting overall wheel and tyre sizes and by restricting each car to only six tyres per event.
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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 ....
sanctioned national motor racing title for Super Touring Cars.
History
Super Touring was introduced into Australia in 1993 when CAMSConfederation 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 ....
replaced the existing Group 3A Touring Car category (which had been based on FIA Group A
Group A
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, the Group A referred to production-derived vehicles limited in terms of power, weight, allowed...
rules) with a new two class Group 3A. This encompassed both 2.0 Litre FIA Class II Touring Cars and 5.0 Litre Touring Cars, which would later become known as Super Touring Cars and V8 Supercars respectively.
In their first year the Class II cars were eligible to compete in both 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...
and in their own Australian 2.0 Litre Touring Car Championship which was run with the main series. This revived a name which had been used in 1986 & 1987 for a national title series for 2.0 Litre “Group A” Touring Cars. For 1994 the Class II cars contested their own separate series, the 1994 Australian Manufacturers' Championship
1994 Australian Manufacturers' Championship
The 1994 Australian Manufacturers' Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing competition for 2.0 Litre Touring Cars complying with FIA Class II rules. The championship, which was promoted as the 1994 Valvoline Australian Manufacturers' Championship, began on 17 April 1994 at Eastern Creek...
, with both Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles awarded. 1995 saw the Super Touring name adopted for the category, the Australian Super Touring Championship name applied to the series and a Teams’ title added to the existing Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ awards.
The series was seen as an opportunity for Manufacturer involvement in Australian racing since the 5.0 litre category was the exclusive domain of Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
and Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
under the regulations, in the hope that manufacturers like BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
, Nissan
Nissan Motors
, usually shortened to Nissan , is a multinational automaker headquartered in Japan. It was a core member of the Nissan Group, but has become more independent after its restructuring under Carlos Ghosn ....
and Toyota who had been involved in recent years of the preceding category, Group A
Group A
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, the Group A referred to production-derived vehicles limited in terms of power, weight, allowed...
might continue to race in Australia. Nissan showed no interest and has not raced in Australia since, but Toyota jumped immediately into the 1993 series with a two car factory team run by Colin Bond
Colin Bond
Colin John Bond is a retired Australian racing driver. Bond reached the highest levels in Australian motorsport in 1969 when he was recruited by Harry Firth to the newly formed Holden Dealer Team...
, however after losing the title to a privateer BMW team, Toyota pulled out. BMW stepped into the series in 1994, with Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
, Hyundai
Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company is a Korean multinational automaker based in Seoul, South Korea which, along with Kia, comprises the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, the world's fourth largest automaker as of 2009. As of 2011, it is the world's fastest growing automaker for two years running...
and Volvo
Volvo Cars
Volvo Car Corporation, or Volvo Personvagnar AB, is a Swedish automobile manufacturer founded in 1927, in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Volvo was originally formed as a subsidiary company to the ball bearing maker SKF. When Volvo AB was introduced on the Swedish...
following in 1995 with both Ford and Holden giving back door support to privately operated teams on and off for the next three seasons. Hyundai did not stay beyond its first season. BMW and Audi alternated championship success from 1995 to 1998. BMW pulled out after the 1997 series. Both Audi and Volvo ended their involvement after the 1999 season, leaving the category as a privateer series which then rapidly dwindled.
After a small scale 2000/2001 series
2000/2001 Australian Super Touring Championship
The 2000/2001 Australian Super Touring Car Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing competition open to Super Touring Cars. It was the eighth running of an Australian series for Super Touring Cars and the sixth to be contested under the Australian Super Touring Championship name...
where grids had been bolstered by the Future Touring category the series ceased to be self-supporting. In 2005 Super Touring cars were included in the class structure of the new Australian Touring Car Challenge series but were little more than one class among many and race wins, even in a handicap based structure, became rare. By 2007 as little as one or two cars appeared at each race meeting, the category has all but disappeared.
Technical development
The 2 litre Touring Car Formula, as it was initially called, was created by two of the top BTCCBritish Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
engineers, Andy Rouse
Andy Rouse
Andrew "Andy" Rouse is an English racing driver, most notably in the BTCC. He won the BTCC in 1975, 1983, 1984 and 1985....
. Their concept was simple, to create a formula that would give new manufacturers the opportunity to enter the series and be able to compete against the more experienced manufacturers without the associated high costs of the existing Group A
Group A
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, the Group A referred to production-derived vehicles limited in terms of power, weight, allowed...
rules.
The changes would also give the rule makers the opportunity to turn the complex multi-class British Touring Car Championship into a single class championship, allowing drivers to win from the front rather than from within individual classes.
To achieve their goals, the rules targeted the type of car most manufacturers produced, a mid-range 4 door family saloon with a 2 litre normally aspirated multi-valve engine having a minimum production run of 2500 in one year. To enable the cars to be easily recognised on the track, the rules dictated that the car's body shape had to remain the same as the production model, but most other areas of the car could be modified specifically for racing.
Under the bonnet only the original engine block and head must remain from the production car but engine revs are limited to 8500 RPM to aid reliability and reduce costs. Racing transmissions and suspensions could be incorporated, but the suspension had to remain true to the original design of the road going model. Closer racing was also engineered into the rules by having different weight limits for front and rear wheel drive, and by limiting overall wheel and tyre sizes and by restricting each car to only six tyres per event.
Drivers’ Championship Winners
| Year | Champion | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 1993 Australian 2.0 Litre Touring Car Championship The 1993 Australian 2.0 Litre Touring Car Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of under 2.0 litre cars complying with the provisions of the FISA Class II section of Australian Group 3A Touring Car regulations. The championship began on 28 February 1993 at Amaroo Park... |
Peter Doulman | BMW M3 BMW E30 The BMW E30 was a compact executive car produced by BMW. It was replaced by the BMW E36 in 1990. BMW continued to produce the cabriolet E30 well into 1993. The Touring remained in production until 1994 when the E36 touring replaced it... |
| 1994 1994 Australian Manufacturers' Championship The 1994 Australian Manufacturers' Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing competition for 2.0 Litre Touring Cars complying with FIA Class II rules. The championship, which was promoted as the 1994 Valvoline Australian Manufacturers' Championship, began on 17 April 1994 at Eastern Creek... |
Tony Longhurst Tony Longhurst Tony Longhurst is an Australian former racing driver and Australian Champion water skier. He is most noted for his career in the Australian Touring Car Championship and V8 Supercar series.... |
BMW 318i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1995 | Paul Morris Paul Morris (motorsport) Paul Morris is a V8 Supercar racecar driver.-Early career:Paul Morris started his motor racing career at the age of 19 in 1987, driving in the Queensland Gemini Series. He won Rookie of the Year in his debut season, and won the state championship the following year. He spent the next three years... |
BMW 318i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1996 | Brad Jones | Audi A4 quattro Audi A4 The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat . It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive... |
| 1997 | Paul Morris Paul Morris (motorsport) Paul Morris is a V8 Supercar racecar driver.-Early career:Paul Morris started his motor racing career at the age of 19 in 1987, driving in the Queensland Gemini Series. He won Rookie of the Year in his debut season, and won the state championship the following year. He spent the next three years... |
BMW 320i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1998 | Brad Jones | Audi A4 quattro Audi A4 The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat . It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive... |
| 1999 | Paul Morris Paul Morris (motorsport) Paul Morris is a V8 Supercar racecar driver.-Early career:Paul Morris started his motor racing career at the age of 19 in 1987, driving in the Queensland Gemini Series. He won Rookie of the Year in his debut season, and won the state championship the following year. He spent the next three years... |
BMW 320i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 2000/2001 2000/2001 Australian Super Touring Championship The 2000/2001 Australian Super Touring Car Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing competition open to Super Touring Cars. It was the eighth running of an Australian series for Super Touring Cars and the sixth to be contested under the Australian Super Touring Championship name... |
Paul Morris Paul Morris (motorsport) Paul Morris is a V8 Supercar racecar driver.-Early career:Paul Morris started his motor racing career at the age of 19 in 1987, driving in the Queensland Gemini Series. He won Rookie of the Year in his debut season, and won the state championship the following year. He spent the next three years... |
BMW 320i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 2002 | Alan Gurr Alan Gurr Alan Gurr is a retired Australian racing driver. Presently without a full-time drive, Gurr was the teammate of Jason Bright at Britek Motorsport in 2007. He has also driven for Team Sirromet Wines in the 2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series.In the 2007 Endurance Races, He was partnered with Warren... |
BMW 320i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
Manufacturers’ Championship Winners
| Year | Champion | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 1994 Australian Manufacturers' Championship The 1994 Australian Manufacturers' Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing competition for 2.0 Litre Touring Cars complying with FIA Class II rules. The championship, which was promoted as the 1994 Valvoline Australian Manufacturers' Championship, began on 17 April 1994 at Eastern Creek... |
BMW BMW Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands... (Australia) Pty Ltd |
BMW 318i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1995 | BMW (Australia) Pty Ltd | BMW 318i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1996 | Audi Audi Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group.... |
Audi A4 quattro Audi A4 The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat . It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive... |
| 1997 | BMW (Australia) Pty Ltd | BMW 320i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1998 | Audi | Audi A4 quattro Audi A4 The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat . It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive... |
| 1999 | Volvo Volvo AB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services... Australia Pty Ltd |
Volvo S40 Volvo S40 The Volvo S40 is a small family car produced by Volvo. It introduced the first generation S40 and V40 cars in 1995... |
Teams’ Championship Winners
| Year | Champion | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | BMW Motorsport | BMW 318i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1996 | Orix Audi Sport Australia Brad Jones Racing Brad Jones Racing is an Australian motor racing team centred around brothers Kim and Brad Jones and is based in Albury, New South Wales. Presently the team compete in the V8 Supercar Series, which they joined in 2000. Recently they have also returned to the Australian Formula Ford Championship... |
Audi A4 quattro Audi A4 The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat . It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive... |
| 1997 | BMW Motorsport | BMW 320i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1998 | Audi Sport Australia Brad Jones Racing Brad Jones Racing is an Australian motor racing team centred around brothers Kim and Brad Jones and is based in Albury, New South Wales. Presently the team compete in the V8 Supercar Series, which they joined in 2000. Recently they have also returned to the Australian Formula Ford Championship... |
Audi A4 quattro Audi A4 The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat . It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive... |
| 1999 | Volvo Racing | Volvo S40 Volvo S40 The Volvo S40 is a small family car produced by Volvo. It introduced the first generation S40 and V40 cars in 1995... |
| 2000/2001 2000/2001 Australian Super Touring Championship The 2000/2001 Australian Super Touring Car Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing competition open to Super Touring Cars. It was the eighth running of an Australian series for Super Touring Cars and the sixth to be contested under the Australian Super Touring Championship name... |
Knight Racing | Ford Mondeo Ford Mondeo The Mondeo was launched on 8 January 1993, and sales began on 22 March 1993. Available as a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback, and a five-door estate, all models for the European market were produced at Ford's plant in the Belgian city of Genk... |