R-Classes News

[HaCo]

Some toyota info: we've been to TMG HQ in Cologne to see Toyota's new... on Twitpic

[Barreis]

It seems that R classes are waste - very expensive and not that quick as A/N cars.

[Gordini]

Agree. But still new classes,,and few used cars yet. Hope for R5 to be success on price.

[Mirek]

It seems that R classes are waste - very expensive and not that quick as A/N cars.

That's nonsense. Gr.R cars can be seeded in gr.A/N as well. There is very little difference between full A7/R3C, A6/R2B, N2/R1B etc. They are not more expensive than comparable modern cars. In comparison of R3C/S1600 it is exactly opposite. For example C2R2 is less expensive to run than Felicia Kit Car or Saxo Kit Car. Clio R3 is also less expensive to run than Clio S1600.

Agree. But still new classes,,and few used cars yet. Hope for R5 to be success on price.

Maybe few models but it's hundreds of cars built to date under Gr.R regulations. For example there around 300 of Clios R3, maybe even more C2R2. Sure more than hundred of Fiestas R2, Twingo R2 and R1. Dozens of 207 R3T, DS3 R3T (maybe close to hundred already) or Civics R3 (I believe over 50 built). Than some Puntos R3D, 500 R3T, Fabia R2, Fiesta R1. I probably forgot some.

[Barreis]

Price of evo 9 group N is up to 50k euros and ds3 r3 costs 90k?! N4 is quicker and cheaper to run.

[N.O.T]

Price of evo 9 group N is up to 50k euros and ds3 r3 costs 90k?!

difference is that those 50K euros have a lot of slack depending the parts you use.... the 90K of the R are somewhat standard.

[Barreis]

Didn't see anywhere results where r3 won infront of n4 evo 9. Especially on gravel.

[Mirek]

Price of evo 9 group N is up to 50k euros and ds3 r3 costs 90k?! N4 is quicker and cheaper to run.

Again the same stupid comparison of old car non-competitive in its class (for 50 thousand it will be far from top condition) with a new car which can win its (completely different) class. It's meaningless. Plus You don't compare maintenance and running cost which is far more important.

[cut full]

I agree with Mirek. There are cars for nearly every budget. One advantage is that r classes cars are nicely developed from factory departments or other specialist. so you get a car that works perfect in every detail. If you wish that, there are also special option parts available like protection or lightweight parts. imo the costs are justified.

another advantage is the marketing. spectators and fans (=customers) look at rallyecars that look equal to roadcars that they are able to buy. no wide body and spoilers as on s1600 cars for example.

the only thing to criticise is, that there are no cars that are equal (performance/cost) to former n3 class. there are only r3/r2 for A7/A6 and r1 for n2. am I rigth?

[Mirek]

Yes, You are right. The philosophy of gr.R classes is a bit different than of gr.A/N. Basically in old system for all capacity there was both gr.A and gr.N option (N1/A5, N2/A6, N3/A7) but in new classes it is made that the higher the capacity the more competition upgrades so some of old classes are not included in the new system - A5 or N3. Equivalents would be R3A and R1C but these doesn't exist in regulations.

The closest to A5 is therefore R2B but it makes little sense to homologate 1400 ccm car in 1600 ccm class. The closest to N3 is R2C but no such car was homologated to date.