Circuit Racing Gets a Super Production Boost
In addition to the Super and Maxi groups, a new group open to production cars, known as Super Production (SP) in many European countries, has been added to the 2019 Turkish Circuit Racing Championship.
Open to cars of any make and model with petrol turbo engines of up to 1600 cc and with no homologation requirement, the 'Super Production Group' will see cars compete in which all parts, apart from certain specified freedoms, are factory series-production components.
For the group, in which maximum engine power is limited to 225 HP, the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) will hold a Balance of Performance (BoP) test day at the start of the season. Cars arriving for the test day with their dynamometer test result documents will have their weights equalised according to weight and lap times, and their turbos and engines will be sealed. In the event of any protest during the season, the cars will be impounded and power and weight measurements will be carried out at a special facility designated by TOSFED.
Cars fitted with an aftermarket turbo and Group A racing cars are not eligible for the Standard group, and rotary-engined and twin-turbo cars are also not permitted. Dog-box and sequential gearboxes are not allowed, while gears and the limited-slip differential are free provided they remain within the original differential housing. Slick tyres and racing fuel are prohibited in the group, with only semi-slick tyres and pump petrol permitted. As regards the cars' exterior, aerodynamic parts such as spoilers, front bumpers and splitters may be used.
The other freedoms for this category, set out in the 'National Circuit Racing Regulations' in the Rule Book, are as follows:
• The OEM turbo fitted to the car at the factory may not be replaced. Enlarging the turbo blades or enlarging the bore internally is prohibited.
• Engine capacity may not be increased and swap kits may not be used.
• The engine block code shown on the registration document and chassis number must remain unchanged. Cars without plates and registration documents may compete in this group provided the chassis number complies with the manufacturer's technical information.
• The maximum engine power of cars in this group is limited to 225 HP. In the event of any protest, a dyno test will be used and a variation of +/- 2% will be acceptable.
• The ECU operating system and gearbox control unit must be factory-fitted OEM items. Software is free, but launch control programmes may not be loaded and the use of control unit software with A-B-C modes is prohibited.
• The complete exhaust and air filter may be replaced with performance parts provided they remain in their original positions.
• The braking system may not be modified; provided the brake discs remain standard, only performance brake pads and fluid may be used.
• Performance clutch plates are free.
• The suspension system is free, provided it is adjustable for camber, caster, stiffness, softness and ride height.
• Additional modifications to the subframe and the use of racing wishbones are prohibited. Bushes must be OEM parts fitted to the car at the factory. Only stiffer connecting rubbers may be fitted.
• Fitting engine and gearbox mounts is prohibited, except where the original mounting points remain unchanged. Modified mounts may, however, be used.
• An additional oil cooler is free. However, the intercooler may not be replaced.
• Front and rear strut braces are free.
• Racing fuel is prohibited; only pump petrol is permitted.
• Windows may not be replaced with polycarbonate or Perspex; they must remain standard.
• Sheet-metal body panels such as the bonnet, boot and wings may not be replaced with different materials. Factory-fitted plastic or aluminium body panels are free.
• For safety reasons, locking wheel nuts are prohibited.
• An externally operable bolt-on electrical master switch is mandatory.
• Strap-type tow hooks front and rear are mandatory. Iron/metal hooks may not be used.
• Headlights and, where fitted, fog lights may be removed, but their openings must be covered with blanking panels.
• Flammable textile materials such as floor carpet, headlining, rear seats and rear trim panels are prohibited inside the cars. All of these parts, except the dashboard/front panel, may be removed.
• Door trim panels made of plastic or leather are free.
In the 2019 Turkish Circuit Racing Championship, the Super group will also feature Super 1600, Kit Cars of up to 2000cc, Super 2000, ETCC and WTCC cars from 2013 and earlier, while in the Maxi group FIA GT3, FIA GT4 and FIA TCR cars will be able to compete.
