race in 1973 The FIA's new Appendix J regulations for 1966 listed a category for "Group 9 two-seater racing cars" in its draft versions, but this was amended to "Group 7 two-seater racing cars" by the time of publication of the 1966 FIA Yearbook. The new Group 7 regulations specified that cars must be fitted with fenders, windshield, two seats, two doors, headlights, taillights, rollbar, a dual braking system and a self-starter and that they must utilize commercial gasoline. There was no minimum production requirement necessary to earn
homologation. As such, the regulations allowed manufacturers and teams freedom to create unique racing cars with no limitations on engines, tires, aerodynamics, or dimensions, as long as the car had room for two seats and was enclosed in bodywork. Races for Group 7 cars were generally short sprints, with few accommodations made for driver comfort. Although the formula only existed for ten years, Group 7 was embraced by several series around the world, with the
Sports Car Club of America running its
United States Road Racing Championship for Group 7 cars from 1966 to 1968. Its
Canadian-American Challenge Cup, better known as Can-Am, was also open to Group 7 cars from 1966 to 1974. In Europe, the
Nordic Challenge Cup ran in 1969, replaced by the
Interserie in 1970 before the series later adopted a
Formula Libre format. Early editions of the
Japanese Grand Prix were dominated by Group 7 cars built by Japanese manufacturers. Many manufacturers became involved in Group 7, with
McLaren and
Porsche building the most dominant cars in the category. Manufacturers
Lola,
Chaparral,
Ferrari,
BRM,
Shadow,
Nissan,
Toyota, and
Isuzu all built Group 7 cars, while
big-block Chevrolet and
Ford motors were the engines of choice throughout the world. The formula was current through to 1975, with two-seater racing cars defined under
Group 6 regulations from 1976. == Group 7 international formula racing cars (1976 to 1981)==