Group Rally1
Motor racing formula
CategoryRallying
Country/RegionInternational
ChampionshipsWRC
Inaugural2022
DrivetrainFour Wheel Drive
Power to weight3.1kg/hp
AptitudeElite

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 will not 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 structures are permitted allowing for scaling of production models whilst production bodyshells will also be permitted as tradition. They will also feature common safety cell structures, centrally designed in partnership with the FIA. The existing 386 PS 1.6 l global race engine will continue to be used.

Other key features include:[3][4]

  • synthetic fuels, claimed to be sustainable and renewable[5]
  • Artificial Intelligence Safety Cameras (AISC), to monitor the special stage for safety purpose, eg. out of place spectators[6]
  • less complex suspension with reduced travel
  • a reduction from 6 to 5 speed gearboxes, in common with Rally2 cars including the removal of 'flappy-paddle' gear shifters
  • removal of the active central differential altogether
  • ban on liquid cooled brakes
  • simplified fuel tank shape
  • simplified turbo
  • removal of the fresh air valve in the anti-lag system
  • removal of some aerodynamic components

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.

Eligibility in FIA WRC Championships 2023
Class Group WRC M T WRC2 WRC3 Masters Junior
RC1 Rally1 Yes Yes Yes

Cars

Manufacturer Car Debut Chassis Image
South Korea Hyundai Hyundai i20 N Rally1[11] 2022 Tubular, Scaled[12][13]
United Kingdom M-Sport Ford Ford Puma Rally1[14] 2022 Tubular,[15] Scaled[16]
Japan Toyota Toyota GR Yaris Rally1[17] 2022 Tubular,[7] Scaled[18][19]
Source: FIA Homologations List 2022[20]

Notes

    References

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