Group 6 (motorsport)
FIA classification for prototype and two-seater racing cars.
Group 6 was an FIA classification used for two distinct motor racing categories: Prototype-Sports Cars from 1966 to 1971 and Two-Seater Racing Cars from 1976 to 1982. The category is notable for its role in endurance racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and for its flexible production requirements.
Group 6 Prototype-Sports Cars (1966 to 1971)
Introduced for the 1966 season alongside a new Group 4 Sports Car category, Group 6 had no minimum production requirement, unlike Group 4 which required at least fifty examples. No maximum engine capacity was set, though weight, dimensional, and other restrictions applied. Both categories had separate international championships, but major endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans counted for both. In 1968, a three-litre engine capacity limit was imposed, and the dual championship format was replaced by a single International Championship for Makes open to both Group 6 and Group 4 cars. The FIA relaxed several regulations for 1969, including those on weight, spare wheel, windscreen height, and luggage space. For 1972, the category was redesignated as Group 5 Sports Car, and the championship became the World Championship of Makes. Group 6 cars won Le Mans outright only in 1966 and 1967.
Group 6 Two-Seater Racing Cars (1976 to 1982)
The FIA reintroduced Group 6 in 1976 as the Two-Seater Racing Cars class. While production-based categories like Group 5 contested the World Championship of Makes, Group 6 cars had their own World Championship for Sports Cars. For 1976 and 1977, three engine capacity limits applied: 5000cc for production car block engines, 3000cc for naturally aspirated racing engines, and 2140cc for turbocharged racing engines (with a 1.4 equivalence factor). After two years of small fields and limited manufacturer support, the championship was downgraded to the European Sports Car Championship for 1978, which was abandoned after one year. From 1979, Group 6 cars could compete in World Championship of Makes rounds, but only production-based cars scored manufacturer points. In 1981, an official Drivers' title was introduced, and Group 6 drivers were eligible. Group 6 was effectively replaced by Group C for 1982, but a concession allowed Group 6 cars to compete in the 1982 World Endurance Championship, with a 3000cc engine capacity maximum. Drivers could score points, but manufacturers could not. Over the second era, Group 6 cars won Le Mans in all years except 1979 (won by Group 5 Porsche 935s) and 1982 (won by the Group C Porsche 956). The Porsche 936 won three times (1976, 1977, 1981), while Renault (1978) and Rondeau (1980) scored French wins.
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