Part 1: 1963-1967 The early years

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1963
1967


After the revision of the F1 championship (1961), the demise of the sportscar championship, replaced by the GT cars (1962), now was the time for another championship, this time the European Touring Car Challenge, which was for the new Group 2 "improved production cars". The cars could be improved within sharp limits, the number of carburettors could not be changed, 5-speed gearboxes and limited slip differentials could only be used if homologated.

In 1963, the challenge was organized within classes, with one overall champion:

Class 1: 0-600 cc Class 4: 851-1000 cc Class 7: 1601-2000 cc
Class 2: 601-700 cc Class 5: 1001-1300 cc Class 8: 2001-2500 cc
Class 3: 701-850 cc Class 6: 1301-1600 cc Class 9: over 2500 cc

In 1964, the classes were organized as follows, still one champion:

Class 1: 0-700 cc Class 4: 1001-1300 cc Class 7: 2001-3000 cc
Class 2: 701-850 cc Class 5: 1301-1600 cc Class 8: 3001-4000 cc
Class 3: 851-1000 cc Class 6: 1601-2000 cc Class 9: over 4000 cc

In 1965, the challenge was organized in 3 divisions, with separate champions:
Division 1: 0--850 cc, 851-1000 cc
Division 2: 1001-1300 cc, 1301-1600 cc, 1601-2000 cc
Division 3: over 2000 cc

Changed yet again in 1966, when division 3 started at 1601 cc.


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Frank de Jong
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
gpfohr@xs4all.nl