WRC mainclass from 2027

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Originally Posted by EstWRC

I remember certain members here repeating all the time “the top drivers will make the cars look interesting by pushing them to the limit”

So guys, we have many videos by now with one of the fastest guys testing the Toyota and are you still saying the same?

For me it’s just painful to watch

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The car now also had quite some testing, it can't be the still the very first iteration. Or with other words: It most likely will not be that much different in Monte (Body shell excluded).

I can understand the reasoning that the competition will make it exciting, but Rally is a audio-visual sport. Having this kind of boring cars must have an inpact.

For example: Even as a super fan I will go from yearly WRC+ payment to monthly, since I expect to cancel mid season. Watching that is not worth nearly 150€ a year

It's cheaper if you go monthly. Monthly full price is 12,99 and you do it exactly when the rally starts and have until that day next month. So if a rally begins on 22 january and subscribe it on that day, subscription is valid until 22 february. If you look on WRC calendar 2026, almost all rallies are linked by two, so even if you would do that for a whole year, you would pay only 8 times and it gets you around 20 cheaper than (even with 25% save as 9,99 month). It's a thing for many years now. I do it simply because I don't subscribe for all year, but just some events and get 2 for one.

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Originally Posted by deephouse

It's cheaper if you go monthly. Monthly full price is 12,99 and you do it exactly when the rally starts and have until that day next month. So if a rally begins on 22 january and subscribe it on that day, subscription is valid until 22 february. If you look on WRC calendar 2026, almost all rallies are linked by two, so even if you would do that for a whole year, you would pay only 8 times and it gets you around 20 cheaper than (even with 25% save as 9,99 month). It's a thing for many years now. I do it simply because I don't subscribe for all year, but just some events and get 2 for one.

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Many thanks for the information <3

Doesn't surprise me that there are such kinds of loopholes. WRC+ was and is a mess. At one year I got a whole year for free to keep me as a customer, since I had problems with payment and had to deal with the customer service for many weeks

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Originally Posted by deephouse

Do Rally2 cars have budget cap? I know that they vary in prices. I'm afraid that with WRC27 the story will be different. All of them will go to the absolute maximum, 345,000. But the performance could be very different. And we could end up with Toyota having huge sales and everyone else nothing.

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It used to be 168 000 euro from the beginning of R5. For 1 car with either gravel or asphalt setup and no spares.
This sum was at some stage allowed to be index adjusted.

I think I saw a used Toyota Rally2 for sale for 270 000. Not sure how much spares or both undertrays was included.
So wuth both undertrays and a spares pack, it will get close to 345 000 Euro here as well.

Here we have one above 345k; https://rallycarsforsale.net/ads/toy...is-rally2-006/

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Originally Posted by Ferranis

Many thanks for the information <3

Doesn't surprise me that there are such kinds of loopholes. WRC+ was and is a mess. At one year I got a whole year for free to keep me as a customer, since I had problems with payment and had to deal with the customer service for many weeks

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i'm a bit confused. i pay 89,99€ a year

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Originally Posted by Sulland

It used to be 168 000 euro from the beginning of R5. For 1 car with either gravel or asphalt setup and no spares.
This sum was at some stage allowed to be index adjusted.

I think I saw a used Toyota Rally2 for sale for 270 000. Not sure how much spares or both undertrays was included.
So wuth both undertrays and a spares pack, it will get close to 345 000 Euro here as well.

Here we have one above 345k; https://rallycarsforsale.net/ads/toy...is-rally2-006/

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the cap for the basic version is 200k. conversion kit, spare parts, upgrades & gadgets raise to 300-350.

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Originally Posted by wyler

i'm a bit confused. i pay 89,99€ a year

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In Germany it's 119.99€ a year. Exaggerated a bit, but it gets closer and closer to 150€ over the years

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Originally Posted by EstWRC

I remember certain members here repeating all the time “the top drivers will make the cars look interesting by pushing them to the limit”

So guys, we have many videos by now with one of the fastest guys testing the Toyota and are you still saying the same?

For me it’s just painful to watch

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All it needs is sound.

if they went to screaming atmospheric v6 engines it would look a lot faster despite it most likely being a lot slower.

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Originally Posted by Ferranis

and why should one buy a RallyOne when one could buy a Toyota

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maybe because they will be in short supply. toyota seems to build only about 30 rally2 cars a year.

What if they play fair game and don't want to lure out the remaining brands of the market. I mean probably Skoda can't be beaten, but Lancia have crisis to even survive as brand. Hyundai and M-Sport are not very active on that sector, Peugeot, Citroen and Volkswagen are no longer making those cars, so if Toyota would take all it would be bad. They are the real players, also it's nice to see many variants of those cars.

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Originally Posted by denkimi

maybe because they will be in short supply. toyota seems to build only about 30 rally2 cars a year.

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Most likely in short supply, but dishing out 400k for an unproven und un-competitive RallyOne / RMC, I don't see it. Then I would stay with my Rally2 (if I had one :D)

This week's Rally Scandinavia willl be excellent preview of 2027 WRC - massive competition on beautiful gravel roads - worth to watch as R2 is expected to be faster than 2027 model cars.

Absolutely devestating comments below each WRC27 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbo2I-n_r30

I hope those commenters didn't vote for it. A universal customer class car was what the people wanted, and it's what they will get. It shows though why RC1 will return down the line.

However, a car in development is not always going to be ran flat out. Sometimes it's just hours and Kms, though more likely at validation and not needing Tanak. Don't read too much into it. The real judgement will come on the stages in competition.

Ogier's decision for next year will speak volumes about the WRC27 Car.

If I were Toyota (or the WRC Promoter) I'd do everything to convince him to continue. That would do a huge amount for the image of the new cars.

If he retires and gives his main reason as the new cars that will be quite an indictment.

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Originally Posted by EstWRC

I remember certain members here repeating all the time “the top drivers will make the cars look interesting by pushing them to the limit”

So guys, we have many videos by now with one of the fastest guys testing the Toyota and are you still saying the same?

For me it’s just painful to watch

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Tanak may be a different story, given he has such a lot still to gain in terms of WDCs. As long as the new car can win him the Title he will be in it regardless of how it looks and sounds.

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Originally Posted by Ferranis

Most likely in short supply, but dishing out 400k for an unproven und un-competitive RallyOne / RMC, I don't see it. Then I would stay with my Rally2 (if I had one :D)

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rally2 will end its homologation cycle in a few years (around 2030). then there will be a need for a replacement that will be wrc27, with some mileage under the belt.

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Originally Posted by WRCStan

I hope those commenters didn't vote for it. A universal customer class car was what the people wanted, and it's what they will get. It shows though why RC1 will return down the line.

However, a car in development is not always going to be ran flat out. Sometimes it's just hours and Kms, though more likely at validation and not needing Tanak. Don't read too much into it. The real judgement will come on the stages in competition.

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it's just the standard complaining about novelty. it happens every time. then as the season approach and development goes one, with a bit of real bodywork and colours, the excitement grows.

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Originally Posted by wyler

it's just the standard complaining about novelty. it happens every time. then as the season approach and development goes one, with a bit of real bodywork and colours, the excitement grows.

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I doubt that. WRC27 are Rally2 cars with extra steps. They won't suddenly get more powerful or audio-visually more exciting.

WRC27 might be good regs for Rally2, but for the top class its as if F1 would drive with F2 cars

This is what (most) people wanted.
Since the Rally1 era started many on this forum, and other comments on all platforms have been calling for Rally2 to become the top class because of the equal machinery, lower cost and (supposed) more competition. Well WRC27 is the follow on from Rally2 so what people have been calling for is now going to become reality.

I was never fully sold about it, if I am honest, but I did understand the argument. I do really hope some of the other cars being built turn out to sound nicer than the Toyota, as this would help immensely, the 3 cylinder just sounds so flat to me.

I will really miss the drama of the Rally1 cars which were a follow on from the most exciting cars ever IMO (WRC17) but things must move on. I just hope it is in the right direction.
I actually feel for the rule makers (I know most people do not) as I feel they had to try something and they were damned no matter what way they went about it.

Anyway here we are and I will continue to follow rallying until my dying breath. I'm not so sure about others.

I have a really hard time to be objective around next years rules to be honest, since I am a WRC17 super-fan. Hope it turns out well, but I expect it will be a hard sell for new fans. Old fans will stay more or less no matter what

its going to be fine, fellas.
ask the ERC fans here. its totally ok, no joke.
cars may be slower but you get over it once theres other stories to pay attention - and there will be.
its like when f1 change stuff. people go crazy and talk & complain for months but then the focus shift to whats happening in the championship. its not a dramatic change like "we are going Evs, theres only 7 cars, 6 rounds and nobody can watch it"

Let's just hope that there are not that many people that think like me. High powered cars are a major part of WRC excitement for me and when I look in the past: Group B is so much loved for a reason.

But be it as it may: Currently there is no alternative anyway. WRC got devalued by the promoter / fia that much, that this is the only way forward

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Originally Posted by Ferranis

Let's just hope that there are not that many people that think like me. High powered cars are a major part of WRC excitement for me and when I look in the past: Group B is so much loved for a reason.

But be it as it may: Currently there is no alternative anyway. WRC got devalued by the promoter / fia that much, that this is the only way forward

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It will never be a big a change as 1987 was, with the switch to Gp A after the Gp B monsters. Plus they were banned for safety, not changed because they needed more Manufacturers!

Look at the Monte Carlo entry list for the cars we had to 'enjoy' ...

https://ewrc-results.com/event/1576-...o-1987/entries

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

It will never be a big a change as 1987 was, with the switch to Gp A after the Gp B monsters. Plus they were banned for safety, not changed because they needed more Manufacturers!

Look at the Monte Carlo entry list for the cars we had to 'enjoy' ...

https://ewrc-results.com/event/1576-...o-1987/entries

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1987 was rough. The RAC rally was poor, made worse by the fact that the only team that had any hope of challenging Lancia, Mazda, didn’t turn up.

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Originally Posted by doubled1978

1987 was rough. The RAC rally was poor, made worse by the fact that the only team that had any hope of challenging Lancia, Mazda, didn’t turn up.

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Also in the '87 BRC, Jimmy McRae started the season in a Lancia Delta HF owned by Lancia UKs director, with just a roll-cage fitted ! What a come down from the Group B beasts he'd had before.

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Originally Posted by Ferranis

I doubt that. WRC27 are Rally2 cars with extra steps. They won't suddenly get more powerful or audio-visually more exciting.

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Wrong. There's only engine and powertrain in common. IF there's a flush new promoter than they could announce a RC2+ tune up in performance immediately for Rally1, and possibly full step up coming in a few years. In safety the chasses and cells are designed for a higher performance.

This level was set to immediately get more competition and as a back stop for life without a flush promoter.

I expect (hope) that this will be the case. That we only have to suffer a year or two and then the new promoter ups the performance

^ Agree.

Brand new cars to last for decades and the Rally2 or Rally2 sourced - whatever it is - engine is not the long term sole solution.

They wanted to open the power train anyway with hybrid / electric. Hope its power too they want to increase at some point.

Now the crucial part is actually retaining the new teams (tuners), allowing them to grow to make this financially viable

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Originally Posted by AndersX

This week's Rally Scandinavia willl be excellent preview of 2027 WRC - massive competition on beautiful gravel roads - worth to watch as R2 is expected to be faster than 2027 model cars.

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I'm skipping it this year, was always left wanting some more, it's just like a Norwegian event with a few more fast cars, YT views are not great either

I remember. I forget what happened with the supposed Lancia deal, but he obviously ended up with Ford.

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Originally Posted by Ferranis

I doubt that. WRC27 are Rally2 cars with extra steps. They won't suddenly get more powerful or audio-visually more exciting.

WRC27 might be good regs for Rally2, but for the top class its as if F1 would drive with F2 cars

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I do remember the first test of the rally1, people were complaining about this and that (hybrid, weight, less aero, less damper, etc). time of the monte they were okish, time the next monte they were normal. now we are complaining about leaving them! : )

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Originally Posted by wyler

I do remember the first test of the rally1, people were complaining about this and that (hybrid, weight, less aero, less damper, etc). time of the monte they were okish, time the next monte they were normal. now we are complaining about leaving them! : )

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A lot of complaining was valid though. Hybrid implementation was stupid, leading to them being too heavy among other things. Aero was valid, since they made the cars look much more boring (in my oppinion. Toyota was ok, Hyundai and Ford were not - let's also not talk about the hybrid inlets here, horrible). Damper was pretty inconsequencial.

The hybrid and weight problem got fixed and the Aero got also a bit better on the Hyundai and in general without the hybrid inlets

I personally would not miss the Rally1 that much if we would still have a 100 hybrid failures each rally. Imagine this with the 100 tire failures now :D

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Originally Posted by AndersX

This week's Rally Scandinavia willl be excellent preview of 2027 WRC - massive competition on beautiful gravel roads - worth to watch as R2 is expected to be faster than 2027 model cars.

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Massive competition? Really?

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Originally Posted by EstWRC

Massive competition? Really?

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Well, should be around 15 teams aiming for top5, in the "holy" rally1 its 5 toyotas in the same place.
Much better in all means.

This weekends rally in sweden is what i think i rally2 based wrc would be like, so if you dont think it would be cool, just watch the rally and jugde after.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Ferranis

A lot of complaining was valid though. Hybrid implementation was stupid, leading to them being too heavy among other things. Aero was valid, since they made the cars look much more boring (in my oppinion. Toyota was ok, Hyundai and Ford were not - let's also not talk about the hybrid inlets here, horrible). Damper was pretty inconsequencial.

The hybrid and weight problem got fixed and the Aero got also a bit better on the Hyundai and in general without the hybrid inlets

I personally would not miss the Rally1 that much if we would still have a 100 hybrid failures each rally. Imagine this with the 100 tire failures now :D

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maybe, in details, but that wasn't the point.
the general mood is that nobody really left the sport because of the new regs, even if it started with lots of negative (by fans & drivers)

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Originally Posted by EstWRC

Massive competition? Really?

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Definitely and worth a watch with your guy Vaher who has just gone fastest so far in FP1.

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Originally Posted by skarderud

just watch the rally and jugde after.

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

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i'm not so optimistic, so let's keep this in mind also if we have the same top10 all around the race!

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

Definitely and worth a watch with your guy Vaher who has just gone fastest so far in FP1.

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Second pass also quickest
https://ewrc-results.com/event/98087...akedown?tab=fp