New R4 Car - Think Tank

[PLuto]

That makes more sense but I fail to see why it shall attract more drivers than today when the eligible car would be twice more expensive than today. Take into account that there were only four competitors in ERC2 who did at least four events this year - even though they could use cheap gr.N cars and fight for an official ERC champion title.

The main reason why there were only four regulars were that FIA introduced that stupid rule about mandatory racing fuel tanks. I know about other 3-4 crews which were planning to do. Which is not so bad for dying category of cars...

[pantealex]

In Finland R4 compete in same class with "N4" beginning 2019. (we have 2 different classes for 4wd)

R4 is probably faster but same thing was when S2000 replaced "N4" and again when R5 replaced S2000.

[Mirek]

The main reason why there were only four regulars were that FIA introduced that stupid rule about mandatory racing fuel tanks. I know about other 3-4 crews which were planning to do. Which is not so bad for dying category of cars...

It wasn't any better in the years before. ERC2 and ERC3 have never been popular.

[Sulland]

Not that it matters in the big picture but I got my guestimate on money a bit wrong.
Taken from thos website: http://www.evolve-motorsport.com/yarisr4evolve/ +
http://www.evolve-motorsport.com/r4kitqa/

RUNNING COSTS

"While the price of the Yaris R4 is 20% lower than any R5 car, the running costs are something to look for. Designed with a focus on reliability and serviceability Yaris R4 provides up to 40% cheaper driving than the R5."
Buy cost R4 from 180 000 €.
If you get a local tuner to build it, even less than that.
But 40% lower running cost, and that "FIA is not planning performance upgrades to R4 kit for the next 7 years, so we expect, that all cars will be very close in terms of speed."
So no expensive jokers.

So in principle a 7 year old car will have the same spec as a new one. If they keep this plan, this might be a good car class, both for national series and also regional series.

The numbers given by ASM and Evolve are slightly different on buying price, while both say tha running cost is 40% less vs R5.

[tommeke_B]

Well, the kit has been out since this summer. The fact that nobody in Europe bothers to buy it, means a lot... Running cost "up to 40% cheaper" is not enough for having less than half of the exposure you would get in an R5 car. Also for 180 000 euros you have a proper (used) R5 car...

[Rally Power]

Well, the kit has been out since this summer. The fact that nobody in Europe bothers to buy it, means a lot... Running cost "up to 40% cheaper" is not enough for having less than half of the exposure you would get in an R5 car. Also for 180 000 euros you have a proper (used) R5 car...

€180k was the initial estimation; since then the kit got a 20k reduction and competition between tuners may also help taking R4’s final price down, wich now won’t be far from €150k.

Btw, if manus importers get involved in R4, these cars would be perfect for a national monotype Cup, allowing Adam or 208 Cup drivers to get into the 4wd field in an affordable way.

[Sulland]

Nobody have bought, but people need to see it, hear it, see results, and feel it.

Osian Pryce debut showed that the concept has potential.

Lets give it some more practical tests in rallies, and then judge. But as of now I feel R4 has potential.
For national series it should fit. Especially due to 40% less budget for running it, and that regulation is stable for 7 seasons.
So a youngster in a few years could buy a 3 years old car, and can compete with same level equipment, for a ok startprice.

Lets give it a chance, and hopefully the ewrc will keep track of them for us!

[PLuto]

I think we will see some R4 cars in ERC next year

[Fast Eddie WRC]

They have to do something to replace the old Evos and make (4WD) rallying more affordable. Otherwise it's going to die out except for factory teams and rich guys in the big events.

[Mirek]

They have to do something to replace the old Evos and make (4WD) rallying more affordable. Otherwise it's going to die out except for factory teams and rich guys in the big events.

Why should it die out when there is more and more R5 around every year?