Rich Smith suggested someone drag out some old rule books and look up the car class rules evolution pver the years. I'll cover what seem to be the significant details in this post; I don't have all years' books. I edited Sat AM to add more detail in the first Rallytruck class listing. This first installment is through 1989. Here we go: 1979 - Rulebook price: $1.50 including postage and handling; add $.50 for non-SCCA members ! Open - "All street licensed 4 wheel vehicles." That's it! Production (appendix A) - Only US standard models with no options. (Or Canadian standard models for Canucks). Current year and prior 5 years. Specific eligible cars are listed. Fuel control flow into the engine is free, but elements controlling airflow control can't be modified. A single engine oil cooler is allowed. Many of the basic areas of allowed mods are listed at this date: lighting, cooling, induction (as noted above), exhaust, electrical, gearbox, final drive, shocks, suspension, wheels and tires, brakes, clutch, suppl. accessories, coachwork, consumable items, and tolerances. 1981 Open - All street licensed 4 wheel vehicles. Production (appendix A) - Only US standard models with no options. (Or Canadian standard models for Canucks). Current year and prior 5 years. Specific eligible cars are listed; list greatly expanded from the 1979 list, and now includes some 4WD models. No turbo- or supercharged cars allowed except if listed. LS diffs not allowed. Procedures for prod class protests greatly expanded. 1982 Open class - BIG changes here: Intent is for cars to be based on production models. (The word "homologated" pops up for the first time in the rules.) If non-homologated, must be a NADA model, no "one-off's". Fabric tops "discouraged". Engine produced by same manufacturer. Drive axles are free (allowed the 4WD Aspen to still run). Non-complying cars grandfathered in, but only can be driven in lower seeds starting in 1983. OR, can be homologated; FIA classes recognized. Production (appendix A) - Same as 1981 except that OEM wheels are specifed (probably as a result of some of the prior year's "protest wars". Plymouth Fire Arrow made eligible...bad news for all the other cars! 1984 Open class - Same as 1982, except the drive axles are no longer free. (I.e, RWD must stay RWD.) Grandfathering clause from 1982 dropped. Allows transfer of parts from homologated to non-homologated cars and homologated cars can be be modifed and run per the SCCA's non-homologated rules. Prodcution - This year saw the most extensive changes ever to the P class rules. Prod GT class created. "Assembled" or "shopmade" production cars are allowed. (Hunh?? Was this the fateful genesis of seam welded P cars??) Cage extensions to brace the suspension is allowed. Definition of allowed parts expanded to include any factory produced option (but not dealer installed options). The gerenal definitions for "Supplementary accessories" is started at this time. Entrants required to file a "Production Specification Form" prior to each event's scutineering, or be re-classified to Open. Emissions control devices can be rendered inoperative. Turbo boost is free. LS diffs still prohibited in Production, but allowed in Prod GT. Fuel cells now allowed. Suspension still has to be basically stock; no coilovers yet. Max 6" or OEM wheel widths. DOT tires only, with grooving allowed. Carpets and padding may be removed. Stock front seats MAY be replaced with "any suitable seat". Oversize pistons prohibited. Car eligibiilty lists were not in the rules this year, and were avialable from the Pro Rally Manager. 1985 (Note: 'Permanaent' car numbers could be issued for the whole year for the first time; prior to 1985, car numbers were issued at each event, per start order.) Open - Fabric tops now prohibited. Group A - This class added in 1985. Production - Some changes to Production Specification From procedures. The specific prohibition of "special purpose and racing tires" is dropped but they still must be DOT. Original spring mounting still required (again no coilovers yet); Mcpherson struts addressed for the first time. CASC Production Class specs allowed; does not specify that the driver must be Canadian. (This is the first mention of "CASC" rather than "Canadian" cars.) 1986 Open - Original side and rear window glazing can now be replaced with Lexan. Group A - No changes; controlled by FIA. Production - Still current year and previous 5 years are allowed. Tiers must now be "street legal" (DOT "approved" is dropped). The areas that cannot be effected by supplementary accessories is made very general (like dropping specific ref's to not effecting performance of the engine and transmission) to make this as broadly applicable as possbile. AC systems can now be removed. 1989 (Some P class changes listed here may have been in '87 or '88.) Open - Old Group N dropped. Appendix O added. MAX ADJUSTED DISPLACEMENTS: 2350 cc for 4WD, which is about 1600 cc actual for a turbo car!!! 4000 cc for 2WD. THESE DISPLACEMENTS REPRESENT A LOT LESS HP ALLOWED THAN NOW. (THE HIGH HP THAT IS THE BASIS OF A LOT OF OUR PRESENT SAFETY ISSUES, IMHO.) Group A - Some mods from FIA group A rules are allowed for competition as SCCA Group A. Rallytruck - Class added. Appendix T; rules laid similar to P class rules, but Rallytruck rules are vaired in some important areas from P class. Max displacemnt of 2600 cc. Min wieghts spec'd. Engine can be balanced. No oil cooler allowed. Trannie and ring&pinion must be original, but optional factroy catalog locked or LS diffs can be used. Basic spring system and shocks msut be used, but other suspension mods allowed: any sway bar can be used, buschings modified, and rear axles can be remoounted above the leaf springs, for examples. Remaing mods are similar to P class, except that tailgates must be up, and ballast locations are spec'd. NO shop manual is required. Production - Appendix letter changed to P. Cars allowed to be up to 6 years old. "Eligible cars list" no longer kept so most all cars now eligible. Max adjusted displacement for Prod set at 2350 cc (vs. the current 2650 cc). Locked and LS diffs allowed in PGT. Still no coilover suspensions. All tire restrictions dropped, so full rally tires now allowed in P classes. Passive restraints, including airbags, must be removed. CASC P cars cannot use locked or LS diffs, as per CASC rules. More to come when time allows, Mark B. ........................................................... SOME DIVISIONAL CLASS BACKGROUND: Prior to beginnning again, it should be noted the Divisional Rallies (now called Club) stated in 1984. There were no classes per se at the Divisional level; everyone competed in one class. The 7 divisions were given the option the have a separate P class championship in any division; the wording is such that there is no age limit on any P class cars competing at the Divisional level. The wording for this optional division P class seems to preclude PGT cars. Points awarding in other car classes to support other regional champoinships (like CARS) is allowed. Group B cars are explicitly banned from Divisional events by 1989 unless they are grandfathered in from 1988 competiton and a "competition adjustment" is made. It was intended to completely ban Group B by 1990, but this got delayed until beyond 1994 for Div and through the 1992 season for National. But then the excpetion for Group B to run at National reappears for a while! In 1994, 3 Divisional nationwide classes were established: 4WD Open, U2 and O2, P class was still an option for each division. Starting up again with 1992..... 1992 - Some of the listed changes could be from 1990 or 1991. Open - Adjusted engine displacement is now 4000cc maximum even for turbo or supercharged engines. If t- or s-charged adjusted displacement is over 2350 cc, then a 40 mm restrictor must be fittted. Specs on restrictor design are 5 mm min width, and must be within 50 mm of charger inlet. Pro Rally Series Manager has the right to mod the rules on a case-by-case basis! (Same as in 1989) Rally truck - Still only 2WD. 6 cylinder engines now allowed. The 4 cylinder engines alone can have unlimited internal mods using orignal head and block. External airflow components like the carb or throttle body must be unchanged. Fuel flow controlling elements can be changed. An oil cooler is now allowed. For 4 cylinder engines only, the R&P is free, as is the clutch and flywheel system. Group A - Rules noted that "through lack of support might be incorporated into a split displacemnt Open class in the future". It's noted that safety belts MUST conform to SCCA specs; some other SCCA/non-FIA changes are allowed. Production - Adjusted max displacement for P class increased to 2650 cc, and min weight of 1.05 lb/cc specified for P class. Requirements for each competitor to have Production Specification Forms on file or at each event is dropped. Cars still must be regular production as delivered through a US dealer, and with no dealer options. Brake pad friction surface wording changed so that friction surface can be SMALLER than OEM, but not larger. The option to have the original hood locking system for P and Rallytruck cars (instead of hood pins)has appeared. 1993 Open - Some open class info moved to Appendix O, but it's all the same except for FIA classes; all references to any FIA classes in Open are dropped, thus effectively banning Group B cars from US Pro Open class competiton. Group B cars can be in Divisional with a "competition adjustment" (?!?). Alternate materials for exterior panels became allowed, except for door panels. Rallytruck - Significant change: the age limit of 1986 or newer is removed, and the class became open to 4WD. Group A - No changes; the possibility of dissolving the class still remains. A notation was added in Appendix A that the car had to have the FIA homologation papers. Production - It is clarified that no minimum wieght is required for PGT. No other significant changes. 1994 Open - Retention of the original A & B pillars, firewall, and floorpan became a rule. Fender flares and spoilers became unrestricted. Rallytruck - Min weights modifed for almost all engine sizes and fuel systems. Vehicles must meet Federal emissions standards for year of mfr, so emissions systems must be retained, as was now true for P class. Group A - A notation added in Appendix A that the car had to have the FIA homologation papers, OR the written apporval on the Pro Rally Series Manager for US based cars; hence, the concept of 'US Group A' continues. Production - The removal of emissions systems is no longer allowed. Strut tower braces are allowed (although practically allowed for many years prior) as long as the air box is unchanged. Sway bars can be removed. Sales levels of 1000 vehicles minimum IN THE US is now specified. NEW! G2 is added! - As Appendix G, the rules are almost as they are today, with 2400 cc max adjusted displacement, retaining original 2WD configuration and so on. There was a minimum car weight of 1.05 lb per adjusted cc. No age limits. NOTE: G5 was not introduced at this time, BUT the Divisional series was split up across the nation into 3 classes: Open 4WD, U2 (under-2-liters, like Nat'l G2 expect with a 2000 cc adjusted displacement) and O2 (ovewr-2-liters), which was the genesis of G5. 1997 Open - Grandfathered Group B cars (from 1988 competition or earlier) appear to be eligible again for National, with the nebulous "competition adjustment". Rallytruck - Were incorporated into P class in 1995 or 1996, still must meet Appendix T . The 1986 or newer age restriction reappeared. 4WD was explictily included. Min wieghts changed; min and max wheelbases included. Non-original materials alowed on exterior panels except for doors for 2WD. Different modifications are allowed for 2WD vs 4WD, with 2WD being more opn, and 4 cyl engines being even more open. Group A - Classification dropped sometime between 1994 and 1997, Appendix A removed. We are now at all USA based classes only, with the odd reappearance of grandfathered Group B cars! Was this tied in with the dropping of Group A?? Prodcution - Major change: The age limit of 6 years old or newer dropped between 1994 and 1997. G2 - Body panels can be "visually similar" rather than "identical"; doors stillmust be of original material. Rotary engines are dropped. Minimum US sales volumes of 1000 cars per year is dropped. Requirement to retain original drive configuration is dropped; I expect this is to align it with a similar idea for G5. G5 - NEW FOR 1997! Pretty much as now with 5100 cc max adjusted displacement. Tturbo cars with 2350-4000 cc adjusted displacement must have 40 mm restrictors, and with adjusted dispacements over 4000 cc must have 36 mm restrictors. NOTE ON DIVISIONAL CLASSES: The U2 vs O2 adjusted displacement break changed to 2400 cc to align these classes with G2 and G5. More to follow; I'll try to do the rest in one more episode. As you can see, the changes are coming fast in furious in the 90's, and it's a lot of work to track them; I am sure I am missing some! Mark B. ........................................................... NOTE: A number of changes effecting car prep are appearing in the the scrutineering section. I am not tracking all of these changes, but am trying to pick up a few class specific changes from the scrutineering section. One thing I missed earlier in Rallytruck: SUV's are mentioned in the 1997 rules. (AND, this is taking a long time and I am getting tired, so expect mistakes in this installment!) 1998 - Rulebook size changed to newer, larger size format. ANY NATIONAL car had to be listed in the NADA Official USed Car Guide. No Euro cars, thank you! Open - No change, except twin turbo restrictors defined. Rallytruck - Officially fully incoroprated under P rules. The age limits for Rallytruck disappear again! No other changes. Production - No significant changes. G2 - No change G5 - Restrictor definition for dual turbo cars is added. 1999 - FIA WRC and Group A cars may be approved on a case-by-case basis. ANY car with a Pro Logbook issued prior to Jan 1, 1999, can continue in Club Open class (like old Group 5 cars?) Open - No changes. Rallytruck - No changes. Production - No changes. G2 - The requirement to retain original drive configuration re-appears. Minimum wieght is dropped. G5 - The requirement to retain original drive configuration appears. Turbo restrictors are dropped for G5. Club Rally Classes (was Divisional) - Now are fully aligned with the US National Classes, with the same designations, and with both P and PGT classes. 2000 Open - The phrase restricting cars to street licensed, closed-bodied, 4 wheel cars is moved to a new, genreal Vehicle Eligibility setion. Rallytruck - No changes. Coilover suspension language not added to Rallytruck class. Production - Major change: Coilover and DMS style suspensions now allowed. Wheel diameter is free up to the value allowed in the manual. G2 - No changes. G5 - No changes. Group A and Group N - Added for both Pro and Club. Added as seprate classes for Pro; would compete in Open in Club events. 2001 - Separate appendices are dropped and all cclaas ruels are combined in one section. Open - No changes. Rallytruck - No changes. Some mistakes made in the section numbering that made the "Supplementary Accessories" section look like it applied only to 4WD trucks. Production - No changes that I can find. G2 - No changes. G5 - No changes. Group A and N - per FIA. Historic - Class added. 2002 - The unpopular age limits for cars in Pro events is introduced: - 20 years for Open, G2, G5 - 12 years for P and PGT - FIA limits for FIA cars - No age limit for H 'Pump gas' required for fuel. Restrictions on wings added. Open - Appendix O re-appears. This adds minimum weights for Open cars, and technology restrictions on electronic controls and the like. Sequential gearboxes excluded. "Unmodified" GN components are allowed with restrictions. Restrictor length changed form 5mm to 3mm. Rallytruck - No changes, but the wording for "supplementary accessories still appears to apply only to 4WD (it should apply to all Rally trucks). Production - Options installed at ports (of entry) are also made illegal. Catalytic converters required. Roof vents made illegal. 32 mm restrictors required for PGT. G2 - No changes. G5 - No changes. Group A - Per FIA Group N - Catalytic converters (meets Federal emissions standards)required for GN. Historic - Not researched. 2003 - Another major re-org in the class rules section. Catalytics required for all cars in SCCA. All classes alinged for both Pro and Club; Group N cars stil compete as Open in Club Rally. WRC and Group A cars can't compete for points. Open - A few changes in Open technology allowances. Rallytruck - A whole section on allowed 4WD mods and Supplementary Accessories was lost! Catalytic required. Production - Hood pins only are allowed; stock hood latch systems are not allowed anymore. G2 - No changes, except for catalytics. G5 - No changes, except for catalytics. GN - Still FIA. Historic - Not researched. 2004 - Since this got messed up, I am not going to the effort to work this over, except to note one correction that made it into the printed book: Rallytruck - The section for 4WD mods was restored; the sectino on Supplementary Accessories stillis not numbered rigth and appears to only apply to 4WD; refer bakc tot he 200 rule book, where it was right. Phew! Nuff! I'll apologize in advance for mistakes and omissions. This was not meant to be perfect or all-encompassing. Let me know of anything major. Regards, Mark B.