A copy of the regulations is available below:
The major change this year was the adoption of FIA vehicle eligibility. A categorised starting order was also adopted.
Some interesting excerpts from the Supplementary Regulations:
Entry fee and prizemoney
The entry fee was $30.
The total prize pool totalled $12,450 including first outright $1,500 and first in each of 6 Group 2 classes of $550.
Vehicle eligibility
Vehicles had to be roadworthy and two-wheel drive but in a significant change from previous years, eligibility was explicitly aligned with FIA regulations (Appendix J of the CSI). Group 2 were Production Touring Cars with 1000 annual production units while Group 5 were Special Touring Cars and allowed more significant modifications. All vehicles were permitted modifications in such aspects as internal crew protection, under body protection, additional fuel tanks etc.
All vehicles had to carry a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and seat belts. In addition to previous years, reflective triangles, proper mudflaps and towing points were required, but still no compulsion for roll bars.
Classes:
- Class A: Up to 1000 cc Group 2
- Class B: 1001-1300 cc Group 2
- Class C: 1301-1600 cc Group 2
- Class D: 1601-2000 cc Group 2
- Class E: 2001-3000 cc Group 2
- Class F: 3001 cc and over Group 2
- Class G: Up to 1300 cc Group 5
- Class H: 1301-1600 cc Group 5
- Class I: 1601-2000 cc Group 5
- Class J: 2001 cc and over Group 5
Timing and Scoring
Timing was to the forward minute except on Special Sections with crews able to nominate their time if early. Scoring was 1 point per minute early or late, except on Special Sections where it was stated as a quarter of a point per quarter minute. This seemed to clarify the anomaly about special section timing in the previous years where points were lost at the rate of 4 or 6 per minute. As it transpired, it seems that there were only two Special Sections late on the first night. The remainder of the event was timed to the minute.
Wrong directions or missing a passage control cost 25 points, no different on Special Sections. Missing a main control (or exceeding late time) cost 200 points.
Exceeding late time at a stage end resulted in exclusion. with no 30 minutes grace. Late time appeared to be prescribed to be 200 minutes per stage. The event was broken in four stages each with two divisions. Divisions appeared to only have significance for awards as there was a $100 prize for the winner of each of the 8 divisions. There was no requirement to complete any particular proportion of the course in order to be classified as a finisher.
Other
Starting order was by ballot, but for the first time this was done within four categories, the first being drivers who had gained a podium position in any international rally or national championship rally, the second category being winners of a CAMS state championship rally, etc.
Cars were permitted to be worked on at any time, including in control, except for the impound at restbreaks.
