Group 2 (motorsport)

The Group 2 racing class referred to regulations for cars in touring car racing and rallying, as regulated by the FIA. Group 2 was replaced by Group A in 1982.

The FIA established Appendix J regulations for Touring and GT cars for 1954 and the term Group 2 was in use to define Touring Cars in the Appendix J of 1959.^[1] By 1961 Appendix J included specifications for both Group 1 Series Touring Cars and Group 2 Improved Touring Cars with a minimum production of 1,000 units in twelve consecutive months required to allow homologation of a model into either group.^[2] Technical modifications beyond those allowed for Group 1 cars were permitted in Group 2.^[2]

The British Saloon Car Championship was open to Group 2 cars each year from 1961 to 1965 and from 1970 to 1973.^[3]

Group 2 was the specified category for the European Touring Car Challenge from 1963 to 1967 ^[4] and the cars were also eligible alongside Group 5 special touring cars in 1968 and 1969.^[5] It was again the premier category when the series was renamed as the European Touring Car Championship for 1970 and continued to be so until it was replaced by Group A for 1982.^[6]

The Sports Car Club of America’s Trans-American Sedan Championship was contested by Group 2 touring cars from its inception in 1966 through to the 1972 season.^[7]