Regulations overview (2003) -
Touring Class (MG ZS, Vauxhall Astra, Honda Civic Type-R etc)
: requires cars to have two-litre engines and use a mass-production
bodyshell. Certain specific components such as the gearbox, brakes,
clutch, engine management, wheels, fuel system and data logging - are
common to all cars in the class and can only be purchased from one supplier.
The car must weigh a minimum of 1150kg, and feature no ‘exotic’
materials, carbon-fibre for example, except for safety applications.
The weight of the car can vary as the official handicap, or 'success
ballast' is added or subtracted to a maximum of plus 42kgs or minus
24kgs.
The cars all run on 17-inch wheels, with tyres from Dunlop, the official
tyre supplier to the 2003 championship. A Touring Class car can use
a maximum of 20 slick tyres per race meeting - including any free practice
sessions. There is no limit to the number of wet tyres that can be used.
The regulations state that the car’s lights must be on when grooved
tyres are fitted.
Engines are sealed by championship officials, and four are allowed
per driver for the season. Engine changes after that figure incur a
loss of Manufacturers’ and Teams’ championship points, specifically
five for the fifth and sixth engine changes, ten points for the seventh,
and 15 for each subsequent change.
MSA
British Touring Car Championship 2004