Class 1 Touring Cars
Two generations of FIA silhouette touring car regulations.
The FIA created two generations of Class 1 Touring Car regulations, both for prototype silhouette racers. The first generation, a production-based formula, launched in 1993. The second generation began in 2019.
Quick Facts
- First generation years
- 1993–1995
Facts from the source article.
First generation (1993–1996)
The first generation was introduced alongside Class 2 Touring Cars, which became known as Super Touring cars from 1995. Class 1 allowed more extensive modifications than Class 2. Engines were limited to six cylinders, 2.5 litres, and four valves per cylinder; the basic unit had to come from a production engine made in quantity by the same manufacturer, though it could be from a different model and heavily modified. All-wheel drive, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and electronically controlled differentials were permitted. Aerodynamic aids were free below the wheel centreline, and from 1995 suspension could be purpose-built. The class was contested in the DTM from 1993 to 1995, the ITC in 1995, and the International Touring Car Championship in 1996. Alfa Romeo and Opel withdrew from the ITC at the end of 1996, ending the class.
Second generation (2019–present)
In early 2014, the DTM and Japanese Super GT Series began cooperating to merge technical regulations, leading to an official tie-up in September 2014 with plans for DTM to adopt 2.0-litre inline-4 engines by 2017. Aerodynamic changes were agreed in 2015, and joint races were considered. However, regulation changes were postponed to 2019 due to DTM manufacturers' reluctance to incur costly development; Super GT delayed implementation to 2020, with final regulations signed off in 2018. The second generation is a purpose-built racer based on a two-door road car, with an exception for the Honda Civic in Super GT. Cars use a front-mounted two-litre turbocharged inline-4 engine capped at 650 hp, with rear-wheel drive. DTM vehicles employ push-to-pass and DRS and generate 3.4t of downforce. The first cars appeared at the 2019 DTM Hockenheim round. DTM and Super GT held joint races at the end of 2019, but both used previous-generation Super GT GT500 cars. Aston Martin entered DTM under these regulations but ended its program after one season, with R-Motorsport citing high costs. Audi announced departure for the 2021 season in April 2020. DTM abandoned the regulations after two seasons, switching to a GT3-based formula from 2021, leaving Super GT as the only series using these rules for GT500 competitors, while GT300 continues with Group GT3 rules.
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