South Pacific Touring Series
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The South Pacific Touring Series was an Australian Touring car racing series held annually from 1970 to 1975 during the month of February in conjunction with the Tasman Series for open-wheelers. Races counting towards the series were staged at Surfers Paradise in Queensland, Warwick Farm and Oran Park in Sydney, Sandown Park in Melbourne and, from 1972, at the Adelaide International Raceway in South Australia.
| Category | Group E Series Production Touring Cars Group C Touring Cars |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Inaugural season | 1970 |
| Folded | 1975 |
| Last Drivers' champion |  Colin Bond |
| Last Makes' champion | Holden |
| Last Teams' champion | Holden Dealer Team |
History
The 1970 series was run under the name Tasman Touring Series,[1] with the South Pacific Touring Series name adopted for 1971.[2] Up until 1972 the series was open to Group E Series Production Touring Cars[3][4] and from 1973 onwards, like the Bathurst 1000 endurance race, it was switched to the new Australian Group C Touring Car regulations.[5] The position of the series on the Australian racing calendar meant that it was the first title to be contested by the Chrysler, Ford and Holden teams each year.
A Manufacturers Trophy was awarded in addition to a drivers title in 1970[6] and 1971.[7] From 1972 the Entrant of the car driven by the driver gaining the most points in the series was awarded equal recognition with the winning driver.[4][5][8][9] Ford works team lead driver Allan Moffat was the winning driver in 1970 with the Ford awarded the Manufacturers Trophy. John Goss took the title driving for McLeod Ford in 1972. The Holden Dealer Team and its drivers won the title four times, with Colin Bond winning in 1971 and 1975 and Peter Brock victorious in 1973 and 1974.
The 1971 series became the focus of a documentary featuring the Holden Dealer Team.[10]
Like the Tasman Series, the South Pacific series was in decline by the mid-1970s due to the greater importance put on the Australian Touring Car Championship and it was discontinued after 1975.
List of series winners
| Year | Series name | Series winners | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Tasman Touring Series[1] | Allan Moffat[11] Ford (Manufacturers Trophy)[6] |
Ford XW Falcon GTHO Phase 1[1] |
| 1971 | South Pacific Touring Series | Colin Bond[12] Holden (Manufacturers Award) |
Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 |
| 1972 | South Pacific Touring Series | John Goss[13] McLeod Ford[14] |
Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III |
| 1973 | South Pacific Touring Series | Peter Brock[15] Holden Dealer Team[16] |
Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 |
| 1974 | South Pacific Touring Series | Peter Brock[13] Holden Dealer Team[17] |
Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 |
| 1975 | South Pacific Touring Series | Colin Bond[13] Holden Dealer Team[18] |
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34 |