In fact, the R32 GT-R, which was built around Group A specs, won all 29 JTCC races it entered between 1989-1993. Thus, a boom of fast, fun to drive compact cars was born.Ĭars like the rear-wheel drive Nissan Skyline GXi, which came equipped with a 90hp four-cylinder motor, was transformed into the high tech, high powered, all-wheel drive R32 Skyline GT-R that we all know and love. They started to take their best selling models and stuffing their engine bays with bigger motors, widening fenders and adding more aggressive aero. So, if a manufacturer wanted to be competitive, they had to make a fast road car. In order to be homologated, the FIA required manufacturers to produce at least 2,500 road legal versions per year of their race car, based on a model that sold at least 25,000 units per year.
What separated the road car from the race car was a roll cage, racing livery and the lack of interior creature comforts. FIA rules stated that Group A race cars were required to retain some interior panels and all exterior body panels, drivetrain and engine block. Unlike American stock car racing, which was far from stock, Group A was a true production based class. Germany’s DTM, the UK’s BTCC, Japan’s JTCC and WRC, to name a few, all had a Group A class or were created to support the class. This class was designed for popular compact cars like the BMW 3-series, Volvo 240, Mitsubishi Lancer and others to compete in touring car or rally racing, primarily in Europe, Asia and Australia. In the 1980s the FIA created the production car based Group A. This isn’t a scene from "Fast & Furious," this is FIA Group A racing. Image a world where your parent's family sedan is slammed, has a buzzy high revving engine, has graphics spread across its body panels and is racing wheel to wheel with other compact cars.
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