WRC Testing

[smsgrafica]

It starts to look like a proper rally car.

[Grundo Farb]

I could call myself Janet Jackson if I wanted ... even tattoo it on my forehead. It doesn't make me Janet Jackson. I'm the wrong colour, haven't got the right bits and can't sing.




AP4 is a NZ initiative which was adopted by the Australians quite late in the piece. It is a technical specification for a category of car which is very detailed and contains a controlled build process and a number of controlled components.

This following passage is lifted directly out of the regulations;

"An AP4 Rally Car may be built in New Zealand or Australia to the specifications detailed in PART TWO of these regulations or purchased in part or as a complete car
(refer below). Cars built locally are subject to the bodyshell platform and safety cage being fabricated by an ‘approved constructor’ and common ‘control parts’ being
supplied through the nominated companies as detailed in PART THREE of these regulations. "

The regulations require that a substantial part of the car is built on an authorised jig, of which there is presently only one anywhere in the world, and by an approved builder, of which none are in Japan.
Unless the initial stages of construction of that car occurred in NZ, the car is not an AP4.

Or you are just wrong.

The FIAPRC website quotes the team, quoting the AP4 regulations in their press release. If your only call on it to be a 'hybrid' is that the jig in question wasn't one in NZ in an AP4 'approved' builder then that's being pedantic.

If they build to the regs, its an AP4.

For Rally Whangarei this year.

"Of the few eligible AP4 cars already running is a Peugeot 208 Maxi Rally imported in to Australia by Racetorque from Argentina, which is fitted with a 34mm turbo restrictor (R5 cars are limited to 32mm) while another car is in preparation and due to appear at the Rally of Queensland in Australia (APRC round 2, middle of June)."

[RICARDO75]

Hänninen test in Corsica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSIC...em-uploademail

[Thousandlakes]

Sounds and bangs good. Some nice flames also. Maybe new generation of engine?

[sollitt]

Or you are just wrong.

I would be the first to admit if I was wrong. However I'm not.

It's not about being pedantic. It's simply whether the regulations and correct processes are applied/adhered to. If not, the car cannot be what it is purported to be.

Page 2 - STEP 3: Decide upon which of the ‘approved constructors’ (detailed in PART THREE) you wish to use. From here you will discuss with them directly, the mandatory
modification / fabrication work (which must be entrusted with them)...

The only exception is, as you raised in your quoted press release, the Argentinean Maxi car, either built by Racetorque or their authorized agent.

To quote the regulations again - "The basis of the AP4 Rally Car is a Series Production Vehicle, meaning a vehicle (model) that has been manufactured in a certain number of identical examples using series production methods destined for public road use"

[Mk2 RS2000]

Being that there are no copyright or patent laws effective in Asia, they could copy a VW WRC car and call it a VW WRC car but it would not be the real deal. It is like the people who advertise Group 4 Escorts for sale then further down in the advert you find that it has a Vauxhall engine fitted to it



AP4 is the regulations that many would like to see gain regional homologation which would then allow it to compete not only in the APRC but also in the WRC events conducted within the region. There will be a significant number of AP4 cars built from a variety of vehicle manufactures products competing in the NZ Rally Championship during the 2017 season.

[Essaj]

I am pretty sure that none of the cars look the same as they are going to be at Monte, Toyota at the moment seems to be closest to it. Teams are waiting as long as possible to hold their final aero secrets which have been tested at wind tunnels.

[rallyfiend]

I am pretty sure that none of the cars look the same as they are going to be at Monte, Toyota at the moment seems to be closest to it. Teams are waiting as long as possible to hold their final aero secrets which have been tested at wind tunnels.

They've all had to submit their homologation documents, that's why they're all able to now make their announcements and publicly display their cars.

There are no secrets anymore compared to what they have to turn up to Monte with.

[Essaj]

They've all had to submit their homologation documents, that's why they're all able to now make their announcements and publicly display their cars.

There are no secrets anymore compared to what they have to turn up to Monte with.

But that dosent mean they revealed the final versions of the cars, both Hyundai and M-sport seems bit too tame on aero compared to Toyota.
Also is the homologation made for 100% finished car that they can't change in anyway or just the necessary parts so they can keep developing slightly through out the season?

[pantealex]

Show cars are always bit different than real ones...

rallyfiend and Essaj, you both got it right.