WRC mainclass from 2027

[Maui J.]

[QUOTE=WRCStan;1362564]If you think that Paddon car will be called a Hyundai then that is absolutely not going to happen without Hyundai entering as a manufacturer. There's no real distinction between HMSG and Hyundai NZ; the make will be Hyundai regardless. There's no free ride for any manufacturers and never will be.

But with the rules relaxed without the homologation part, then Paddon should be able to run Hyundai cars without Hyundai's approval. He obviously won't be able to call it the Hyundai WRC team but will have to use Paddon WRC Team, or similar, instead.
Hopefully, this new rule with encourage other tuners to do a similar thing. And who knows if these private teams do well with new brands, they might start receiving manufacturer support. We can no longer wait for the big brands to bring a new team to the WRC. This new rule is the way forward.

[WRCStan]

But with the rules relaxed without the homologation part, then Paddon should be able to run Hyundai cars without Hyundai's approval. He obviously won't be able to call it the Hyundai WRC team but will have to use Paddon WRC Team, or similar, instead.
Hopefully, this new rule with encourage other tuners to do a similar thing. And who knows if these private teams do well with new brands, they might start receiving manufacturer support. We can no longer wait for the big brands to bring a new team to the WRC. This new rule is the way forward.

However it goes with team names and FIA homologation rules; intellectual property laws in most countries say if he builds a car to his own design he cannot call it a Hyundai make car without approval and support from Hyundai.

Then, if he does end up driving a Hyundai car however and whoever built it; something significant would have to change to the WRC commercial model that's been in place since 1993(?) that says if Hyundai want exposure through the championship, they're going to have to pay for it. I don't see what the sustainable change would be or what the reason for it is.

But why are you looking to appease Hyundai and the likes? The Surveilled Urban Vehicle manufacturers and stage rallying needs are de-linking. I think more likely to happen is; Paddonsport builds the Paddonsport Rally1.5 and enters the Paddonsport WRT (investment), which are necessary steps in order to sell Paddonsport Rally1.5s into the privateer rallying market (profit). There's your manufacturer and marque - Paddonsport; there's your commercial model, incentives, rewards, reasons for relaxing homologation. What's missed? Maybe Hyundai sponsor Paddonsport WRT and stick the logo on the side and announce a "strategic partnership", that's irrelevence.

Maybe Toyota do it all themselves not to sell Rally cars but their brand. Maybe Prodrive team up with Mini and go 50:50 strategy. It is pretty open. Teams would probably be acceptable too, as somebody like Prodrive will do the minimum 1 year commitment for approval to sell. So "Team Portugal" may be driving the Prodrive Pender, that's how you'd get the double-digit number of teams.

[WRCStan]

WRC27 takes shape as regulations open to huge variety of bodywork designs



The World Council today approved one of the final pieces of the compelling puzzle that is coming together to mark the start of a brand-new era for the FIA World Rally Championship from 2027.

The WRC27 ruleset, given the green light by the World Council in December 2024, has been undergoing its final refinements and updates over the past six months, and today the confirmation of the reference volumes for bodywork cements the commitment set out by the FIA to put flexibility at the core of these regulations.

To achieve this, the rules define a zone in which all of the bodywork panels must be located, but within this volume, manufacturers and constructors have the freedom to scale and integrate almost any design.

This crucial feature of the regulations means that, without effecting performance, cars ranging from saloons to hatchbacks, cross-overs and completely bespoke designs could be entered over the ten-year regulation cycle through to 2037.

https://www.fia.com/news/milestones-...-council-macau

[skarderud]

I would prefer Rally2's, but we know the production of fiesta is already ended, and the fabia is close.

This could be a step in right direction, if they also open up for semi-or nonmanufacturer homologation.

Personally i don't think Rally2's are slow and boring, but its need to be driven in anger, everything driven in anger can be spectacular in my opinion.

Take a look at Royal rally (erc) last weekend, its really good racing!

Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

[saco0o]

"Autosport understands at least two tuners are actively working on projects."
https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/f...ons-/10731302/

[WRCStan]

Autosport also says the Rally2 engine will be used, so where are these independent tuners getting their mass-produced Group A engines?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I still dont buy it.

If M-Sport decide to build a 'Ford Puma' version of a '27 Reg car and Toyota build a version of their Yaris or Corolla to the new Regs, which new manufacturer or tuner will believe they can build a car to beat them ?

The recent top rally experience these Teams have is huge and in Toyota's case they have vast resources too. Trying to compete with them, let alone beat them, will be a thankless task for anyone.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Hyundai still not happy with the 2027 Regs and Abiteboul suggests that they're biased in favour of tuners ?!

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/h...2027/10730002/

[TypeR]

Hyundai will agree if they can keep to use rally1 cars...

while Ford and Toyota must use rally2 cars..

[WRCStan]

I still dont buy it.

If M-Sport decide to build a 'Ford Puma' version of a '27 Reg car and Toyota build a version of their Yaris or Corolla to the new Regs, which new manufacturer or tuner will believe they can build a car to beat them ?

The recent top rally experience these Teams have is huge and in Toyota's case they have vast resources too. Trying to compete with them, let alone beat them, will be a thankless task for anyone.

Don't forget this car also replaces Rally2 until 2037, that market is huge so there are other incentives.