Sun-7 Chesterfield Series

TheSun-7 Chesterfield Serieswas an Australiantouring car racingseries staged atAmaroo ParkinSydney,New South Walesfrom 1971 to 1981. The actual series name varied from year to year, according to the commercial sponsorship secured by the series promoters, theAustralian Racing Drivers Club.

Sun-7 Chesterfield Series
CategoryTouring car racing
CountryAustralia
Inaugural season1971
Folded1981
Last Drivers' championAustraliaSteve Masterton

Initially run forGroup E Series Production Touring Carsthe series switched to the new AustralianGroup C Touring Carregulations in 1973. The series was a precursor to the laterAMSCARtouring car series which was run at Amaroo Park from 1982.

History

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In 1971Lakis Manticaswon the inaugural "Sun-7" title driving aMorris Cooper S,with points being allocated evenly among the three engine capacity classes.

The tight Amaroo Park circuit suited theHolden Torana GTR XU-1s.Leading Sydney-based Torana drivers, such as theHolden Dealer Team'sColin Bond,Bob Morris,Don Holland andAllan Gricewere prominent in the series.John Gossin the McLeod Ford enteredFord Falcon GTand Ford stalwartFred Gibsonwere regular front-runners, whileChryslerdriversLeo GeogheganandDoug Chivasalso appeared. Colin Bond won the series three times in a row, from 1972 to 1974.

For 1975 the Sun-7 Rothmans Series was restricted to cars with an engine capacity of under 3 litres, meaning that larger engined cars such as theHolden Torana SL/R 5000andFord Falcon GTcould no longer compete. In the 3 litre era some of the main contenders includedBo Seton'sFord Capri,Don Holland and Allan Grice inMazda RX-3'sand Bob Morris in aTriumph Dolomite.

For the 1981 series the engine capacity limit of the competing cars was increased from 3.0 litres to 3.5 litres[1]and the following year the 3.5 litre capacity limit was removed for what was now entitled theAMSCAR.[2]

Winners

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Colin Bondplaced third in the 1981 Better Brakes 3.5 Litre Series in aFord Capri.[1]The car is pictured in 2005
Year Series name Driver Car Team
1971 Sun-7 Series[3] Lakis Manticas[4] Morris Cooper S British Leyland Works Team
1972 Sun-7 Series[5] Colin Bond[6] Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 Holden Dealer Team
1973 Sun 7 Better Brakes Gold Medal Series[7] Colin Bond[8] Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 Holden Dealer Team
1974 Sun-7 Chesterfield Series[9] Colin Bond[10] Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1
Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 L34
Holden Dealer Team
1975 Sun-7 Rothmans Series[11] Barry Seton[12] Ford Capri GT 3000 Mk.I[12]
1976 Rothmans Sun-7 Series[13] Allan Grice[13] Mazda RX-3[13] Mazda House Racing[13]
1977 Sun-7 Rothmans Touring Car Series[14] Barry Seton[15] Ford Capri V6[15]
1978 Rothmans Sun-7 Series[16] Peter Williamson[16] Toyota Celica[16]
1979 Better Brakes Under 3 Litre Series[17] Barry Seton[17] Ford Capri[17]
1980 Better Brakes Touring Car Series[18] Barry Seton[18] Ford Capri[18]
1981 Better Brakes 3.5 Litre Series[1] Steve Masterton[1] Ford Capri V6[1]

Multiple winners

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By driver

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Wins Driver Years
4 Barry Seton 1975, 1977, 1979, 1980
3 Colin Bond 1972, 1973, 1974

By manufacturer

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Wins Manufacturer
5 Ford
3 Holden

References

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  1. ^abcdeBetter Brakes 3.5 Litre Series,Australian Motor Racing Yearbook, 1981/82, pages 188 to 189
  2. ^Better Brakes AMSCAR,Australian Motor Racing Yearbook, 1982/83, page 198
  3. ^Peter Wherrett,Holland takes Sun-7 opener,Racing Car News, April 1971
  4. ^Racing Car News, October 1971
  5. ^David Hassall,Into the Lion's Den,Brocky, 2009
  6. ^Racing Car News, October 1972
  7. ^Official Programme,Sun 7 Better Brakes Gold Medal Series,Amaroo Park Raceway, Sunday 18 Aug. 1973
  8. ^Sydney Morning Herald - 19 August 1973 - pg 15
  9. ^Falcon GT By The Years: 1974,uniquecarsandparts.auRetrieved on 25 June 2019
  10. ^Bob Morris's LJ XU-1 Torana, bowdensown.auRetrieved via web.archive.org on 24 February 2014
  11. ^Official Programme,Sun 7 Rothmans Series,Amaroo Park Raceway, Sunday 20 July 1975
  12. ^abAmaroo Park 3-Litre Series,Australian Competition Yearbook, 1976 Edition, pages 82 to 84
  13. ^abcdRothmans Sun-7 Series,Australian Competition Yearbook, 1977 Edition, pages 114 to 120
  14. ^Programme of Events,Official Programme, Amaroo Park, 14 August 1977, page 5
  15. ^abSeton wins by a point,The Sydney Morning Herald, 15 August 1977, page 22
  16. ^abcRothmans SUN-7 Series,Australian Competition Yearbook Number 8, pages 142 to 143
  17. ^abcMotor Racing,The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 August 1979, page 24
  18. ^abcMotor Racing,The Sydney Morning Herald, 14 July 1980, page 23