Formula Pacific was a motor racing category which was used in thePacific Basin area from 1977 to 1982. It specified a single-seat, open-wheeler chassis powered by a production-based four-cylinder engine of under 1600cc capacity.[1] The formula was based onFormula Atlantic, with provision made for the use of Japanese engines. The category was superseded in 1983 byFormula Mondial, which was devised by theFIA to replace both Formula Atlantic and Formula Pacific.
The Formula Pacific category was created at a meeting of representatives from Pacific Basin countries (Australia,New Zealand,Canada andJapan) in 1976.[2] The formula was based onFormula Atlantic, with provision made for the use of Japanese engines.[2] The first races to be held under the new formula were staged in New Zealand in January 1977.[2]
New Zealand staged its first Formula Pacific races in January 1977[2] having abandonedFormula 5000 and moved to the new formula in that year.[3]The category continued there until Formula Mondial was introduced in 1983.[4]
Formula Pacific was adopted as part of Australian Formula 1 alongside the 5-litreFormula 5000 class in 1979 and it became the sole component of Australian Formula 1 in 1982.Formula Mondial was adopted as the new Australian Formula 1 in 1983 however cars complying with Formula Pacific would continue to compete alongside the new cars until the end of that year.[5]
The Japan Automobile Federation ran a Formula Pacific championship from 1978 to 1982.[6]
TheMacau Grand Prix used Formula Pacific regulations from 1977[7] untilFormula 3 rules were adopted for the 1983 event.[8] Winners of the race include eventual F1 driversRiccardo Patrese andRoberto Moreno.
% : The 1976 series was open toFormula Atlantic cars.[11]
+ : From 1983 to 1986 theAustralian Drivers' Championship was contested by cars complying withFormula Mondial regulations.
