The 1971 South Pacific Touring Series was an Australian motor racing competition for Series Production Touring Cars. It was the second running of an annual series which had first been contested as the 1970 Tasman Touring Series.
The series was won by Colin Bond driving a Holden Torana GTR XU-1.
Schedule
The series was contested over three rounds:
Round | Race name | Circuit | Date | Winning driver | Winning car |
1 | Warwick Farm | 14 February | Colin Bond | Holden Torana GTR XU-1 | |
2 | International Motor Show Trophy | Sandown | 21 February | Bruce McPhee | Ford Falcon GTHO |
3 | Surfers Paradise | 28 February | Colin Bond | Holden Torana GTR XU-1 |
Each round was held as a support race to a round of the 1971 Tasman Championship.
The first round was scheduled to be held at Surfers Paradise on 7 February however that meeting was postponed due to heavy rain and it was rescheduled to 28 February.
Classes
Competing cars were classified into five classes according to an assessed CP Units value for each vehicle. Under this system, the engine capacity of the car (in litres) was multiplied by the retail price of the car (in Australian dollars) to arrive at a CP Unit value.
- Class A: Up to 3000 CP Units
- Class B: 3001 to 6000 CP Units
- Class C: 6001 to 9000 CP Units
- Class D: 9001 to 18000 CP Units
- Class E: Over 18000 CP Units
Points system
Points were awarded on a 4,3,2,1 basis for the first four places at each round. In addition, points were awarded for places in each class as follows:
- Where there were 5 or more starters - on a 9,6,4,3,2,1 basis
- Where there was 3, 4 or 5 starters - on a 6,4,2,1 basis
- Where there was less than 3 starters - no points were awarded
Points were only awarded to a driver who started in all three rounds. The driver was required to compete in a vehicle entered by the same entrant in all three rounds and that vehicle was required to be the same make and model although not necessarily the same vehicle.
Series standings
Pos. | Driver | Car | Entrant | Points |
1 | Colin Bond | Holden Torana GTR XU-1 | Holden Dealer Team | 37 |
2 | Bruce McPhee | Ford Falcon GTHO | Ford Motor Company of Australia | 34 |
3 | Lakis Manticas | Morris Cooper S | British Leyland Works Team | 24 |
Only the first three outright series placings are shown in the above table.
Manufacturers Awards
A Manufacturers Award was presented to the manufacturer of the winning driver's car at the end of the series. In addition, awards were made to the manufacturers of the winning driver's car in each of the four remaining classes.
References
- ^ Official Programme, Sandown, 21 February 1971
- ^ Des White, Matich Makes It!, Racing Car News, April 1971, pp. 34-37
- ^ Gardner Go To Whoa, Racing Car News, March 1971, pp. 38-43
- ^ Tom Naughton, McRae's Sensational Sandown, Racing Car News, April 1971, pp. 28-31
- ^ General Supplementary Regulations, Surfers Paradise International Motor Racing Circuit Pty Ltd, Sunday, 7 February 1971