Specific Requirements Discussion

The article here record more detailed discussion that backs up the Group ND Proposed Specific Requirements and the Justification and Rationale that has been used.

Many of these Articles breach many interrelated elements of the Specific Requirements and give some insight into the complexities that exist with determining the Specific Requirements

Body Modifications Group C v ND

Battery Location

Group C Reg

ND Proposal

CAMS Manual 1973: The Make and capacity (amperage) of the battery is free. provided that the location remains unchanged(i.e. the coachwork compartment in which the battery was originally located)

Most race cars these days run a sealed battery and a battery isolate switch within reach of the driver. Placing the sealed battery inside the cabin with a short main power lead from the battery to the master isolator switch is considered safer than running high power battery cables long distances from the battery into the cabin mounted isolator switch - Hence the battery location should be free.

While allowing sealed batteries will allow a small weight reduction, a further specific requirement regarding "minimum race weight" will stop rampant deliberate lightening of the model.

Guards and flares

Group C Reg

ND Proposal

CAMS Manual 1973: Protrusions, the result of body joining techniques may be cleared from the inside of the wheel arches by reforming so as to avoid damage to tyres. Panels may not be reformed, nor may any material whatsoever be removed or replaced.

The regulations surrounding the modification to guards and flares evolved over the proposed group ND era culminating in the acceptance of cutting guards for the fitment of flares.

Various manufacturers offered flares as standard equipment or option on certain MODELS in the period, eg, Holden Gemini CDT sedan and coupe, Holden LH/LX Torana, Toyota Celica Supra, Mini Clubman & GT

Giving all competitors the option, takes away any real or perceived performance improvement.

CAMS Manual 1983: Metal May be removed from the panels only when mudguard flares as describe in (d) hereof, are fitted, The only Reforming is:

The flattening of wheel arch beading against the inside of the mudguard permitted only where such beading constitutes a potential danger to the tyre and must be effected so the outside contour of the mudguard remains unchanged.
The rendering safe of body joining protrusions, which may be closed against the the appropriate inner mudguard panel.
(relates to exhaust)
It is permitted to fit mudguard flares as described in the relevant recognition documents as issued by CAMS. It is permitted to remove such metal as may be necessary for this purpose.

Minimum production volume

While the suggested minimum volume we have chosen is 200 identical vehicles, this number needs further discussion with stakeholders. The intent was to prevent very low volume "hand-made" race cars which were almost always not available to the public and also to eliminate very low volume dealer specials, largely because these did not reflect the cars of the day, and in many cases, had varying specifications within the low numbers built (e.g. Stewart turbo Celicas). The suggested value of 200 however was thought to be large enough to allow some volume models like the HDT enhanced Commodores, to be included should their owners be so interested.

Group C Reg	ND Proposal
CAMS Manual 1983: Cars Manufactured in Australia in quantities of not less than1000 basicaly similar units and which shall be subject of recognitionby CAMS	suggested minimum volume we have chosen is 200 identical vehicles

2 door cars v Sports cars

Vehicles with 2 doors and only 2 seats and not eligible vehicles, these are deemed to be a sports car for this discussion.

Vehicles with 2 doors and 4 or more seats are potentially eligible vehicles. But, some of these cars have already been classified as belonging to other groups by Motorsport Australia.

A lot more discussion is required to determine the eligibility of these "crossover" vehicles, Can they exist in 2 groups/subgroups or do they remain exiled from Group ND?

Alpha Romeo 105 and Alpha Romeo GTV 1750 should both be an eligible vehicles for Group ND but they are currently log booked as Group Sb Sports Cars.
Fiat 128 and Fiat 124: These cars raced at Bathurst under group C regulations and should be an eligible vehicle for Group ND but they are both currently log booked as Group Sc Sports Cars
Datsun 260Z and 280ZX (2+2) should both be eligible vehicles for Group ND but they are currently log booked as Group 2b/2f (non historic) Sports Cars.

Roll cages and the rear seat

Fitting a roll cage to a Nd era touring car can be problematic due to often conflicting needs, Schedule J of the MA handbook gives the required technical information on the cage structure which exists on one side of the discussion and on the other end is the consideration of retaining the rear seat as per original Nd era racing classes such as Group C.

Spread between these two extremes that are newer safety requirements and considerations such as HANS devices, Helmet Clearances, Seat belt angles, Emergency Exit Times, Flammable Materials in the cabin space to name a few