R-Classes News

**Ouninpohja** · 22nd Jul 10, 13:55

Bouffier with Citroën DS3 R3T in Ulster Rally

http://www.autonews-magazine.com/blog/?p=12072

**johunn** · 22nd Jul 10, 14:42

I have one question though... If WRC will be based on current groupN and S2000 cars then what will PWRC and JWRC have? Bicycles? Isn't the whole point of WRC to be rally at its highest level (considering both cars and drivers). Something that group B used to be where drivers demanded less power as it was too scary to drive with 500+hp. That really showed what the guys were made of. Currently drivers like Wilslow manage to nurse the car home and get Championship Points. He would wet his pants if he had to do Ouninpohja with a groupB rally car.

**navtheace** · 22nd Jul 10, 15:08

There does not need to be any PWRC or JWRC that no one cares about.

No one outside of rallying know about these categories.

WRC will just become R1, R2, R3, R4 rally cars.

**johunn** · 22nd Jul 10, 17:07

Well this is what I am trying to say... there is no point for such classes as R1, R2 and even R3 to exist in WRC. The guys that drive a Twingo R1 should run national or regional championships. Whats the point of a cheap car if it costs you a fortune to drag it to WRC events.

And no one cares because there is not much to watch in WRC. I consider myself to be a mediocre rally fan. I run a fan club for one of the local drivers. But I do not find anything spectacular about going to a WRC event these days. If I want to see group N or S2000 cars I can see plenty at Estonian national championships. What I would like to see is something special when I go watch a World Championship event. Just like Formula1. I could watch guys compete with Formula Renault in the national championship and it is great fun, but F1 is something spectacular. Yes, there are few amazing drivers currently in WRC and I still aim to watch as many different rallies as possible. But If the worlds best drivers drive cars that are not entertaining to watch there is no way that the audience numbers would rise.

**HaCo** · 22nd Jul 10, 18:35

Originally Posted by johunn

And no one cares because there is not much to watch in WRC. I consider myself to be a mediocre rally fan. I run a fan club for one of the local drivers. But I do not find anything spectacular about going to a WRC event these days. If I want to see group N or S2000 cars I can see plenty at Estonian national championships. What I would like to see is something special when I go watch a World Championship event. Just like Formula1. I could watch guys compete with Formula Renault in the national championship and it is great fun, but F1 is something spectacular. Yes, there are few amazing drivers currently in WRC and I still aim to watch as many different rallies as possible. But If the worlds best drivers drive cars that are not entertaining to watch there is no way that the audience numbers would rise.

I totally disagree. Look at IRC: local drivers can compete with top drivers in their home event. With your system (which is almost the current in WRC) only rich boys can take their chance to compete in WRC. Still complaining there is so less competition in WRC?

**Mirek** · 22nd Jul 10, 19:14

Dani Sordo + DS3 R3T = very spectacular for 2WD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyfARyHvcsU

**navtheace** · 22nd Jul 10, 22:10

Originally Posted by Mirek Fric [Cze]

Ok, but from which stock cars would You make them? Impreza, Lancer and?

Audi S3

**Mirek** · 22nd Jul 10, 22:15

First there is no interest from VW Group to enter Audi to rally and than Audi S3 is too simple 4x4 for rally use. It uses Haldex viscous clutch which is too cheap solution. VW group doesn't have any better 4x4 stock system for cars with transversal engine (everything small enough).

**navtheace** · 22nd Jul 10, 22:25

Lets wait till the official news come out from the FIA. Rallying could even move to just 2WD.

Who knows?

**navtheace** · 1st Aug 10, 13:03

Originally Posted by ProRally

Hope to have more news after Rally Finland

Hi ProRally.

Do you have any update on R4 cars now?

**ProRally** · 1st Aug 10, 13:11

Originally Posted by navtheace

Hi ProRally.

Do you have any update on R4 cars now?

Spoke to several people including FIA, there is progress albeit slow progress, will be hard to get everything confirmed and rules written and accepted before next season.
More in 2 weeks in Germany. But R4 is still very much a live....

Next World Council meeting is 10 September so not so much time left.

**RICARDO75** · 1st Aug 10, 14:54

Skoda Fabia R2

**navtheace** · 1st Aug 10, 19:00

What is the spec of that R2 Fabia?

As in engine size, and no turbo I take it? as in 1.6 no turbo means R2, 1.6 turbo would put it to R3 class?

**Mirek** · 1st Aug 10, 19:04

Yes, this one has 1.6 naturally aspirated engine, FWD, 5-speed seqential gearbox and Reiger suspension. It was developed by Impromat Motorsport and Škoda only provides homologation.

**navtheace** · 1st Aug 10, 19:17

Excellent stuff. Is there a road car Fabia with 1.6 petrol engine?

So basically anyone can buy the 1.6 road car and self make the R2 car yes?

**Mirek** · 1st Aug 10, 19:33

If the car is used in any FIA competition, it must have a homologation which can be provided only by manufacturer (who developed the car doesn't matter). In this particular case the base model with 1.6 engine is now on sale in Russia. That is also a reason why the premiere was delayed by few months because this model isn't sold anywhere else.

**navtheace** · 1st Aug 10, 19:54

If the FIA can make the world rally championship just R1, R2, R3, R4

this will be what the sport needs as anyone will be able to self build their rally cars. ie like the Fabia, Clio, Evo, Impreza, Civic etcetc.

We have to wait till September if the FIA can announce the cancelling of S2000 after 2011.

**Gordini** · 3rd Aug 10, 09:26

The Renault Twingo R2 is impressing in the UK, being a new car.

**Sulland** · 4th Aug 10, 11:53

Originally Posted by Mirek Fric [Cze]

Yes, this one has 1.6 naturally aspirated engine, FWD, 5-speed seqential gearbox and Reiger suspension. It was developed by Impromat Motorsport and Škoda only provides homologation.

Has it been tested against other R2s, if so how did it perform ?
Prices for kit or car ?

**MJW** · 4th Aug 10, 12:46

[QUOTE=navtheace;826647j

We have to wait till September if the FIA can announce the cancelling of S2000 after 2011.[/QUOTE]

IF FIA cancel S2000 in Sept, does that mean they cancel the 1.6T S2000 based WRC car as well? If so I guess David Richards / Prodrive BMW Mini wont be too pleased, neither should Citroen and Ford. Also these whispers about R4 might be de-stabilising to VW and Toyota.