The Classic Motor Racing Club  initiative for our Saloon classes.

Since 2020 we have run a separate race at all of our meetings for Motorsport NZ Group 2 T&C Saloons up to December 1977, called Historic & Classic Saloons pre 78 (as defined in Pre 78 Classic Saloons Regulations 26-Oct-2023).

This is in addition to the races for saloons which do not qualify for the new class.  Both groups have been well supported at our meetings.

This pre-78 class is for race saloons which either have an up to date Gp 2 or Schedule K Certificate of Description (COD), or would be able to obtain one.  As a broad generalisation, it is for cars with all-steel bodies and exterior trim with the majority of the interior intact running the original type of engine and gearbox on WOF standard tyres.

The following is a link to relevant Motorsport NZ rules pertaining to Group 2

The intent of this group is to allow the older vehicles of our Club from the 50's, 60's and 70's to run alongside similar and visually compatible vehicles as regards presentation and driver standards, without the disparity of technology and appearance that has occurred from time to time in the past.

Sub classes will be:

• 0 to 1000cc,
• 1001cc to 1500cc,
• 1501 to 2500cc,
• 2500cc to 4200cc,
• and over 4201cc.

So competitors will now be competing primarily against vehicles of similar capacity in the overall field.  There have also been races for these cars at  Ruapuna and Teretonga meetings.

Wayne Perkins is the Group Co-ordinator and was the original driving force behind the establishment of this class;   All queries and information or direction requests should be directed to Wayne at the email address below.

Wayne will be the person who decides whether a vehicle will be included on the grid for our new class and the emphasis will be on period correctness.

Read the attached document which explains the driving standards expected in Pre-78 Saloons.  The Group Co-ordinator is the ultimate arbiter of whether a driver who has breached the Group's driving standards should compete in a different class and not be included on the pre-78 grid in future, but he or she may delegate that decision to a committee of experienced pre-78 competitors.

Dedicated races for Historic & Classic Saloons pre '78 are held at various South Island meetings with the class attracting significant support from both competitors and spectators alike. the Groups aim is to have 6 to 7 meetings held on the southern circuits over the spring, summer and autumn of each season.  Contact the Group Co-ordinator Wayne Perkins for details.