1997 Australian Super Touring Championship
The 1997 Australian Super Touring Championship was a CAMS sanctioned Australian motor racing title open to Super Touring Cars. It was the fifth national title to be run in Australia for Super Touring Cars and the third to carry the Australian Super Touring Championship name. The championship, which was promoted by TOCA Australia as the 1997 BOC Gases Australian Super Touring Championship, began on 4 May at Lakeside International Raceway and ended on 9 November at Amaroo Park after eight rounds and sixteen races. The Drivers Championship was won by Paul Morris, the Manufacturers Championship by BMW and the Teams Championship by BMW Motorsport.
Teams and drivers
The following teams and drivers competed in the 1997 Australian Super Touring Championship.Team | Car | No. | Driver |
Audi Sport Australia | Audi A4 Quattro | 1 * | ![]() |
Audi Sport Australia | Audi A4 Quattro | 11 * | ![]() |
BMW Motorsport | BMW 320i | 2 * | ![]() |
BMW Motorsport | BMW 320i | 22 * | ![]() |
BMW Motorsport | BMW 320i | 83 * | ![]() |
Volvo Cars Australia | Volvo 850 | 4 * | ![]() |
Volvo Cars Australia | Volvo 850 | 8 * | ![]() |
Phoenix Motorsport | Toyota Camry | 10 | ![]() ![]() |
Greenfield Mowers Racing | Opel Vectra Holden Vectra | 12 | ![]() |
CPW Motorsport | BMW 318i | 13 | ![]() |
CPW Motorsport | BMW 318i | 27 | ![]() |
CPW Motorsport | BMW 318i | 64 | ![]() |
Triple P Racing | Hyundai Elantra | 14 | ![]() ![]() |
Triple P Racing | Hyundai Elantra | 57 | ![]() |
Triple P Racing | Hyundai Elantra | 58 | ![]() |
Albert Poon | Ford Mondeo | 15 | ![]() ![]() |
Albert Poon | Ford Mondeo | 20 | ![]() |
AAP Racing | Toyota Carina | 15 | ![]() |
Bob Holden Motors | BMW 318i | 16 | ![]() |
M-F Racing | Peugeot 405 Mi16 | 21 | ![]() |
Garry Rogers Motorsport | Honda Accord Nissan Primera | 34 | ![]() |
TC Motorsport | Peugeot 405 Mi16 | 37 | ![]() |
TC Motorsport | Peugeot 405 Mi16 | 38 | ![]() |
Gun Racing | Alfa Romeo 155 TS | 45 | ![]() |
John Henderson Racing | Opel Vectra | 56 | ![]() |
Warren Luff | Honda Accord | 60 | ![]() |
Robert Tweedie | Vauxhall Cavalier | 79 | ![]() |
Knight Racing | Ford Mondeo | 88 | ![]() |
Knight Racing | Ford Mondeo | 89 | ![]() ![]() |
Nigel Barclay | BMW 318i | 99 | ![]() |
Note : * indicates entry nominated by a manufacturer for the Manufacturers Championship
Race Calendar
The 1997 Australian Super Touring Championship was contested over eight rounds with two races held at each round.Rd. | Race | Circuit | Location / State | Date | Winner | Car | Team | Report |
1 | 1 | Lakeside International Raceway | Brisbane, Queensland | 3–4 May | Paul Morris | BMW 320i | Paul Morris Motorsport | |
1 | 2 | Lakeside International Raceway | Brisbane, Queensland | 3–4 May | Paul Morris | BMW 320i | Paul Morris Motorsport | |
2 | 1 | Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit | Phillip Island, Victoria | 31 May–1 Jun | Paul Morris | BMW 320i | Paul Morris Motorsport | |
2 | 2 | Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit | Phillip Island, Victoria | 31 May–1 Jun | Geoff Brabham | BMW 320i | Paul Morris Motorsport | |
3 | 1 | Calder Park Raceway | Melbourne, Victoria | 21–22 Jun | Brad Jones | Audi A4 Quattro | Brad Jones Racing | |
3 | 2 | Calder Park Raceway | Melbourne, Victoria | 21–22 Jun | Geoff Brabham | BMW 320i | Paul Morris Motorsport | |
4 | 1 | Amaroo Park | Sydney, New South Wales | 19–20 Jul | Brad Jones | Audi A4 Quattro | Brad Jones Racing | |
4 | 2 | Amaroo Park | Sydney, New South Wales | 19–20 Jul | Brad Jones | Audi A4 Quattro | Brad Jones Racing | |
5 | 1 | Winton Motor Raceway | Benalla, Victoria | 9–10 Aug | Cameron McConville | Audi A4 Quattro | Brad Jones Racing | |
5 | 2 | Winton Motor Raceway | Benalla, Victoria | 9–10 Aug | Paul Morris | BMW 320i | Paul Morris Motorsport | |
6 | 1 | Mallala Motor Sport Park | Mallala, South Australia | 23–24 Aug | Brad Jones | Audi A4 Quattro | Brad Jones Racing | |
6 | 2 | Mallala Motor Sport Park | Mallala, South Australia | 23–24 Aug | Cameron McConville | Audi A4 Quattro | Brad Jones Racing | |
7 | 1 | Lakeside International Raceway | Brisbane, Queensland | 25–26 Oct | Paul Morris | BMW 320i | Paul Morris Motorsport | |
7 | 2 | Lakeside International Raceway | Brisbane, Queensland | 25–26 Oct | Paul Morris | BMW 320i | Paul Morris Motorsport | |
NC | 1 | Mount Panorama Circuit | Bathurst, New South Wales | 5 Oct | David Brabham & Geoff Brabham | BMW 320i | BMW Motorsport Australia | Report |
8 | 1 | Amaroo Park | Sydney, New South Wales | 8–9 Nov | Geoff Brabham | BMW 320i | Paul Morris Motorsport | |
8 | 2 | Amaroo Park | Sydney, New South Wales | 8–9 Nov | Paul Morris | BMW 320i | Paul Morris Motorsport |
Results
Drivers Championship
Drivers Championship points were awarded on a 15-12-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for the first ten places in each race. One point was awarded to the driver setting the fastest qualifying time for each races.Manufacturers ChampionshipManufacturers Championship points were awarded on a 15-12-10 basis for relative positions attained in each race by the best placed car of each of the three manufacturers that had nominated cars to compete on their behalf.
Teams ChampionshipTOCA Challenge Cup - IndependentsThe TOCA Challenge Cup was open to drivers of teams which did not receive major support from a manufacturer. |