Group A
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In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B, the Group A cars were limited in terms of power, weight, and allowed technology. Group A was introduced by the FIA in 1982 to replace the outgoing Group 2 as "modified touring cars", while Group N would replace Group 1 as "standard touring cars".
Touring Cars
Provided for touring car competition using vehicles such as Ford Sierra Turbo and Nissan Skyline GTR. These cars competed in standard bodykits, with the production-derived nature required manufactures to release faster vehicles for the roads in order to be competitive on the track. Group A stopped being used in touring car racing in 1994, when the DTM switched to a 2.5L formula, while most other countries had adopted the BTCC-derived Supertouring regulations. Hillclimb races still use Group A as a Touring Car class across Europe.
Rally racing
Under Group A in the World Rally Championship, the cars used were modified road cars, often based on turbocharged, four wheel drive versions of standard small cars such as the Subaru Impreza WRX and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. One prototypical rally car is the Audi "UR-Quattro". The cars are further modified for greater power and torque, and fitted with suspension and tyres specifically suited to the conditions of the specific rally, which make take place entirely on bitumen roads, different consistencies of gravel and dirt roads, and even snow-covered roads on some rallies held in northern Europe. Group A is still used as the basis for most rally competitions around the world, but the most competitive cars are limited-production prototypes, World Rally Cars and Super 1600.