WRC to use production-based rally cars in 2012

[Ferrer]

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

and the badge.

Nothing important though...

[Cotterik]

which is what makes it so special. anybody who's nobody can buy an Sti WRX, buy some livery and install a rollcage then take it to the welsh hills to rally. WRC is supposed to represent the highest class rally cars. The inspiring days of Group B obviously mean nothing to the FIA. ugh..

[2ndclasscitizen]

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

Reducing costs. The active AWD systems help a lot. Though I could be wrong about the speed, it just depends how much modifications they allow to the cars.

which is what makes it so special. anybody who's nobody can buy an Sti WRX, buy some livery and install a rollcage then take it to the welsh hills to rally. WRC is supposed to represent the highest class rally cars. The inspiring days of Group B obviously mean nothing to the FIA. ugh..

Not really. A full World GrpN car is fairly different to a street STi or Evo. I've been in a Prodrive-built World GrpN STi, it was mental. And don't you remember that the WRC used to be GrpA, with stuff like the Evo6 running rampant across the world's forests?

[Zytek_Fan]

Not really. A full World GrpN car is fairly different to a street STi or Evo. I've been in a Prodrive-built World GrpN STi, it was mental. And don't you remember that the WRC used to be GrpA, with stuff like the Evo6 running rampant across the world's forests?

If they go back to Group A type cars, I'll be fine with it, but Group N is too slow.

[fpv_gtho]

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.

The Corollas are also running under Super 2000 locally, along with the Fiestas, and ive heard that there'll be something like that in the new rules. That should allow more manufacturers than Subaru and Mitsubishi to be competitive.

[Ferrer]

which is what makes it so special. anybody who's nobody can buy an Sti WRX, buy some livery and install a rollcage then take it to the welsh hills to rally. WRC is supposed to represent the highest class rally cars. The inspiring days of Group B obviously mean nothing to the FIA. ugh..

Luckily. Group B was simply too dangerous. A return to 70's style of rallying would be just perfect.

Reducing costs. The active AWD systems help a lot. Though I could be wrong about the speed, it just depends how much modifications they allow to the cars.

I think you meant standarized four wheel drive systems, not active ones which are lot more complicated and therefore expensive. I see your point then.

[Matra et Alpine]

which is what makes it so special. anybody who's nobody can buy an Sti WRX, buy some livery and install a rollcage then take it to the welsh hills to rally. WRC is supposed to represent the highest class rally cars. The inspiring days of Group B obviously mean nothing to the FIA. ugh..

yeah but what built Rallying STRENGTH that the GroupB stemmed from and WRC is under-pinned by ARE the cars that were the "same" as you bought and gave everyone a chance to rally them. Back then MILLIONS would go to see the RAC rally !! LOTS of enthusiasts. Every university would have a very large and active rallying club. Each district woudl have many local rally clubs. There were rally events every weekend and often mid week too !
You lose that when it costs £200,000 to have a chance of competing
Those were the "inspiring" days of rallying

[2ndclasscitizen]

I think you meant standarized four wheel drive systems, not active ones which are lot more complicated and therefore expensive. I see your point then.

No, I meant the active ones. While they may be more complicated, they're not more expensive on a production-based rally car, as they all already have them stock.

[Ferrer]

No, I meant the active ones. While they may be more complicated, they're not more expensive on a production-based rally car, as they all already have them stock.

But then why go the production way for rally cars and then grace them with complicated four wheel drive systems? It doesn't make much sense, does it?

Anyway, what we need is rear wheel drive back in rallying...

[Matra et Alpine]

No, I meant the active ones. While they may be more complicated, they're not more expensive on a production-based rally car, as they all already have them stock.

The active front and rear diffs were banned in WRC.
Only the centre is allowed ... these are STILL very expensive to develop and setup ( fullly computer controlled )
I'd prefer to see NO control on the diffs in competition as I think it woudl go someway to levelling the 2WD v 4WD differential (pun intended)

[Mustang]

yeah but what built Rallying STRENGTH that the GroupB stemmed from and WRC is under-pinned by ARE the cars that were the "same" as you bought and gave everyone a chance to rally them. Back then MILLIONS would go to see the RAC rally !! LOTS of enthusiasts. Every university would have a very large and active rallying club. Each district woudl have many local rally clubs. There were rally events every weekend and often mid week too !
You lose that when it costs £200,000 to have a chance of competing
Those were the "inspiring" days of rallying

Bring it back look at the crowds here, shows how much people loved it back then

vatenan in '81 i think round dolby

[Matra et Alpine]

and not just large crowds in one place ... BUT smaller groups many miles into a stage

[JRodrigues]

Bring it back look at the crowds here, shows how much people loved it back then

vatenan in '81 i think round dolby

WRC - 2000 - thousands of people..

[togos452]

WRC used to have 6 different cars, but now has 3. Were the events in the wrong locations for teams and sponsors?

FIA World Rally Championship - Socio-Economic Impact

[Matra et Alpine]

WRC used to have 6 different cars, but now has 3. Were the events in the wrong locations for teams and sponsors?

The research will be interesting but the answer is simpler
Toyota ... focus on F1
Mitsubishi ..... losing revenue
Hyundai ..... never really had the revenue
Citroen .... no point having two from the same company
Renault ..... focus on F1
Saab/Volvo .... motorsport not seen as representing the new company image
Chrysler ..... yeah RIGHT
GM ..... oh dear call a doctor I need someone to stich my sides up
M-B ..... focus on F1
BMW ..... focus on F1

Jeez I think I'll apply to the FIA for a research grant and sit on my ass for a year