Group Rally1 Explained

Above:
Header1:Motor racing formula
Label2:Category
Data2:Rallying
Label3:Country/Region
Data3:International
Label4:Championships
Data4:WRC
Label5:Inaugural
Data5:2022
Label6:Status
Label7:Drivetrain
Data7:Four Wheel Drive
Label8:Power to weight
Data8:3.1 kg/hp
Label9:Aptitude
Data9:Elite

Group Rally1 is a technical specification of rally car for use at the highest level of international rallying in the World Rally Championship (WRC) as determined by the FIA. Despite the use of the word 'Group' in the name, there are not multiple classes or subclasses of car and so 'Rally1' may be used alone with the same definition. Rally1 cars were used for the first time in the 2022 WRC season and replaced the outgoing World Rally Car used in the manufacturer's championship. Though they may run on any individual rally as permitted by the organiser, they are not to be used in any other championship.

The calls for new cars were made by the existing WRC competing manufacturers to reflect both changes in consumer marketing preferences, such as advancements in technology, and the need to reduce costs to make competing sustainable. The move to a new formula of car was approved in June 2018 along with a complete overhaul of cars and championships in the Rally Pyramid.[1]

Regulations

Rally1 cars are defined in Article 262 of Appendix J of the International Sporting Code.[2] The cars have two radical new features for rally cars in the World Rally Championship, the first being hybrid electric power units in use for the first time. The second, less obvious characteristic is that Rally1 cars are not needed to be homologated in Group A or N and have no series production car requirement with being 'Category II' purpose-built competition vehicles. However, they must be identifiable as being based on a series production model. Tubular space frame chassis are permitted, whereas production bodyshells are permitted as tradition. They also feature common safety cell structures, centrally designed in partnership with the FIA. The existing 386 PS 1.6 l global race engine continues to be used.

Other key features include:[3] [4]

The changes to aerodynamics remove expensive and commonly damaged parts such as the rear diffuser. Hidden ducts for cooling purposes are banned.[7]

Hybrid system

The hybrid electric power system is supplied to all teams by a third party, Compact Dynamics, incorporating a battery supplied by Kreisel Electric. It is used to power the cars in 100% electric zones on liaison sections as set in the rally roadbook by the rally organiser. On the special stages it also provides a boost of up to 100 kW or 136 PS alongside the combustion engine and recuperates kinetic energy under braking. The driver will have three options to choose from to deploy the boost, with a further three options to choose on how to recuperate energy under braking. The driver must set these options before a special stage and are not able to choose when to deploy the electric boost within the stage. The hybrid electric system adds an extra 84 kg to the cars gross weight and due to its 750 volts the cars will wear

HY identification, with white letters on a red background, on the door panel. Crews are also required to carry high voltage gloves to use in the event of an issue. [4] [6] [8] [9] [10]

FIA competition

Rally1 cars are only permitted in the World Rally Championship and when entered by the manufacturer teams. The cars may appear on other individual rallies when entered by the manufacturers but not under a championship point-scoring situation.

Cars

ManufacturerCarDebutChassisImage
HyundaiHyundai i20 N Rally1[11] 2022Tubular, Scaled[12] [13]
M-Sport FordFord Puma Rally1[14] 2022Tubular,[15] Scaled[16]
ToyotaToyota GR Yaris Rally1[17] 2022Tubular, Scaled[18] [19]
Source: FIA Homologations List 2022[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIA Rally Car Pyramid Brochure . FIA.
  2. Web site: Specific Regulations for Group Rally1 . FIA.
  3. Web site: WHAT’S BEHIND THE WRC’S NEW 2022 REGULATIONS? . WRC Promoter GmbH.
  4. Web site: WRC - FIA ANNOUNCES HYBRID SUPPLIER FOR RALLY1 FROM 2022-2024 & A SET OF ENGINE TECHNICAL FEATURES TO REDUCE COSTS . FIA.
  5. Web site: WRC SWITCHES TO 100% SUSTAINABLE FUEL; P1 EXCLUSIVE PROVIDER . WRC Promoter GmbH.
  6. Web site: World Motor Sport Council Decisions October 2021 . FIA . 15 October 2021.
  7. Web site: 2022 WRC car tech specs & regulations: what we know so far . WRCWings.tech.
  8. Web site: FIA AND WRC TAKE 360-DEGREE APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE FUTURE . WRC Promoter GmbH.
  9. Web site: AN ENGINEER’S GUIDE TO RALLY1 . DirtFish.
  10. Web site: FIA WMSC Decisions 15.12.2021 .
  11. Web site: SORDO AND SOLBERG TO SHARE THIRD HYUNDAI IN 2022 . wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH.
  12. Web site: i20 N WRC Rally1 . 2022-01-23 . 2022-10-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221010143219/https://motorsport.hyundai.com/rally/wrc/i20-n-wrc-rally1/ . dead .
  13. Web site: Hyundai i20 N tech data .
  14. News: M-Sport Ford unveils Puma Rally1 car – first pictures. wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 8 July 2021. 9 July 2021.
  15. Web site: Q&A: MALCOLM WILSON ON THE NEW FORD PUMA RALLY1 . DirtFish.
  16. Web site: + MOTOR 2021 - A FONDO CON MALCOLM WILSON . + MOTOR 2021.
  17. Web site: TOYOTA GAZOO RACING CONFIRMS 2022 LINE-UP . WRC Promoter GmbH.
  18. Web site: CAR DETAILS 2022 WRC TOYOTA GAZOO Racing .
  19. Web site: All New Toyota GR Yaris Performance Toyota Uk .
  20. Web site: LISTE DES HOMOLOGATIONS / HOMOLOGATIONS LIST – 2022 .