1972 South Pacific Touring Series Explained

The 1972 South Pacific Touring Series was an Australian motor racing competition for Group E Series Production Touring Cars.[1] It was the third running of an annual series which had first been contested as the 1970 Tasman Touring Series.

The series was won by John Goss driving for McLeod Ford in a Ford Falcon GTHO.[2]

Schedule

The series was contested over four rounds:[1] [2]

RoundRace nameCircuitDateWinning driver Winning carEntrant
1Surfers Paradise International Raceway6 FebruaryLeo GeogheganChrysler Valiant ChargerAustral Motors
2Tele-Ads Series Production Touring Car Race[3] Warwick Farm Motor Racing Circuit13 FebruaryDoug ChivasChrysler Valiant ChargerLiverpool Chrysler
3Autolite South Pacific Tourist Trophy Race[4] Sandown International Motor Race Circuit20 FebruaryJohn GossFord Falcon GTHOMcLeod Ford
4Adelaide International Raceway27 FebruaryAllan MoffatFord Falcon GTHOFord Motor Company of Australia Ltd.

Each round was held as a support race to a round of the 1972 Tasman Championship for Drivers.[2] [1]

Classes

Competing cars were classified into four classes according to an assessed C.P. Units value for each vehicle.[1] Under this system, the engine capacity of the car (in litres) was multiplied by the retail price of the car (in Australian dollars) to arrive at a CP Unit value.[5]

Points system

Points were awarded on a 4,3,2,1 basis for the first four outright places at each round.[1] In addition, points were awarded on a 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 basis for the first nine places in each class at each round.[1]

Points were only awarded to a driver conditional upon them competing in the same make and model of car entered by the same entrant in all four rounds of the series.[1] The series win was awarded to a driver and entrant, who both received equal recognition.[1]

Series standings

Pos.Driver / EntrantCarPoints
1John Goss / McLeod FordFord Falcon GTHO45
2Allan Moffat / Ford Motor Company of Australia Ltd.Ford Falcon GTHO39
3Eric Olsen / Eric OlsenFord Escort Twin Cam32
4Alan Whitchurch / P. J. Motors Pty. Ltd.Chrysler Valiant Galant29
=Peter Brock / Holden Dealer TeamHolden Torana GTR XU-129
6Colin Bond / Holden Dealer TeamHolden Torana GTR XU-128
7John Piper / John PiperFord Escort Twin Cam25
8Leo Geoghegan / Austral MotorsChrysler Valiant Charger24
9Roger Bonhomme / Collins ChryslerChrysler Valiant Galant20
10John French / Ford Motor Company of Australia Ltd.Ford Falcon GTHO19
11Mel Mollison / Bainbridge Motors Mazda 130016
12Bob Forbes / Boyded (Randwick) Pty. Ltd.Holden Torana GTR14

Notes and References

  1. Official Programme, Adelaide International Raceway, Sunday February 27, 1972
  2. Racing Car News Championship Yearbook No. 1
  3. Official Programme, Warwick Farm, Feb 13 1972
  4. Official Programme, Sandown, February 20, 1972
  5. Official Programme, Adelaide International Raceway, Australian Manufacturers' Championship, August 27, 1972 - Chesterfield 250