WRC to use production-based rally cars in 2012

[togos452]

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/rally/38365/

http://www.wrc.com/page/Welcome

[Zytek_Fan]

Thanks FIA for not only ruining F1, but ruining WRC

[togos452]

What's wrong with production-based cars?

That is what makes the GT2 class such a great one.

[Ferrer]

Thanks FIA for not only ruining F1, but ruining WRC

I personally think it's great idea, if I could be bothered with rallying. Maybe after all FIA will do something positive for rallying in the end.

What made rallying great is that in a way you knew that the cars your saw flying past you in a special stage where somewhat related to the cars you could see on the street. Plus that'll mean that manufacturers will have to make hairy chested homolgation specials. I can only regard it as positive.

[Jack_Bauer]

Plus that'll mean that manufacturers will have to make hairy chested homolgation specials. I can only regard it as positive.

I don't think that will be the case. The rules will most likely stipulate that the cars will have to have sold thousands of units rather than the hundreds back in the Group B days, thus making them much more like 'normal' road-going cars. It's all designed to entice manufacturers back into the sport. They will want to be able to base their WRC cars on existing mass-produced, profitable cars for the sake of costs and to improve the marketability of the cars. If they have to produce a small amount of 'hairy chested', loss making homologation specials that bear no relevance to the mass-produced models the manufacturers won't touch it.

[Matra et Alpine]

If they have to produce a small amount of 'hairy chested', loss making homologation specials that bear no relevance to the mass-produced models the manufacturers won't touch it.

agreed ....They don't want "hairy chested" GroupB cars again.
Expect to see homologation needs in the thousands.
Personaly a GREAT idea. Rallying has been destroyed by the top tier WRC. Anyone with enough money to bring a WRC down a level in events is guaranteed to clean up. MANY of the great stages can't be used for WRC cars because (1) they're too fast, (2) they're too tiring to the driver and (3) they destroy the stages !
This will enable good clubmen to be able to compete at world class level without the need for millions of $$$ of spnsorship and backing !!!

[Ferrer]

I don't think that will be the case. The rules will most likely stipulate that the cars will have to have sold thousands of units rather than the hundreds back in the Group B days, thus making them much more like 'normal' road-going cars. It's all designed to entice manufacturers back into the sport. They will want to be able to base their WRC cars on existing mass-produced, profitable cars for the sake of costs and to improve the marketability of the cars. If they have to produce a small amount of 'hairy chested', loss making homologation specials that bear no relevance to the mass-produced models the manufacturers won't touch it.

Lancia Delta, Ford Sierra, BMW M3, Toyota Celica,... Basically Group A?

If the Japanese can do it, and the Impreza and Lancer are here to prove it, the Europeans will have to do it as well.

[pimento]

Basically, Group N. The cars already in the ARC, Asia-Pacific Rally, all that. It'd be nice if they allowed units like the Group N-P they invented here for the Corollas, but that does pretty much mean manufacturers can make one-offs again. Just even less mental ones.

[2ndclasscitizen]

Probably won't be that much change in speed. The hit in power will probably be regained by them getting back active AWD systems.

[Ferrer]

Probably won't be that much change in speed. The hit in power will probably be regained by them getting back active AWD systems.

But then what's the point in production based rally cars?

[scottie300z]

Usually i dont like step backwards in tech, but if this brings the sport back to better coverage and regains manufact. than im for it.

[Cotterik]

this is a bad idea. production-based rally is what lower-class rallying is all about. people who can only afford stock EVO's and put a rollcage in then rally them. WRC is supposed to be the pinnacle of world rallying. With these new rules it will be just like the rest. Its not exactly going to attract more audiences either. well done FIA.

[togos452]

What do WRC cars share with road cars?

[dydzi]

What do WRC cars share with road cars?

usually, a windshield, sometimes door panels are the same too...

[scottie300z]

usually, a windshield, sometimes door panels are the same too...

and the badge.