M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[EightGear]

Do you have a link of an article? I probably missed that...

Volkswagen agrees to freeze development of WRC car - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com

[OldF]

I think the WRC can have a face lift homologation by an ET homologation with no need of a new WRC homologation.

http://www.fia.com/sites/default/fil...%282013%29.pdf

Evolution (ET)
Characterises modifications made on a permanent basis to the basic model (complete cessation of the production of the car in its original form.

[Racing Ka]

ET is for the base car. It need to be WR page for competition use if you like to change the look of WRC car.

[OldF]

I know that a WR homologation is also needed but it sounds crazy that with some small body shell modifications to the standard car, a new WR homologation would be needed if all the WRC kit parts remain the same. What’s the point then with an ET homologation?

[Racing Ka]

Not so much anymore, but previous Gp A/N cars needed them.

[Mad cat jnr]

The freeze comes in towards the end of August I believe

[navtheace]

The freeze comes in towards the end of August I believe

I think there will be no more development of the WRCars then, as it is looking more likely that once R5 comes into play in 2014, that the FIA will shift rallying towards R5 as the top category.

[makinen_fan]

I think there will be no more development of the WRCars then, as it is looking more likely that once R5 comes into play in 2014, that the FIA will shift rallying towards R5 as the top category.

Are there any interviews with team principals, FIA etc that point to that the R5 will replace the WRC? I cant remember reading something like that. R5 is meant to be a support (affordable) class, and not the primary class in WRC, so it is designed with customers in mind. Works teams can go wild on them i they become the primary class and they will no longer be affordable

[Mad cat jnr]

I think your very wrong there Nav, there will be further development.

[navtheace]

I think your very wrong there Nav, there will be further development.

It's difficult to know. It is just my thoughts, so you could well be right.

With the freeze on homologation on current World Rally Cars, and with R5 looking popular. Along with Malcolm Wilson speaking about how R5 has the potential to become the leading category.

We could well see WRC/RRC phased out as R5 cars show up in 2014 more and more.

Remember how so many made it very clear that S2000 was a category that will become the top category in rallying, yet it didn't and now has been frozen.

We will just have to see how things pan out in 2014 and wait to hear what the FIA announce about the whole situation.

Having a mix of categories at the top of rallying, like WRC, RRC, S2000 has not worked with all the WRC for works teams, RRC for this championships, and S2000 for that etc.

Wealthy privateers are done with all this, the whole sport needs one top category with very strict controls on the modifications to the top category to keep costs from going out of control.