WRC mainclass from 2027

[WRCStan]

I think many people are kind of missing the point of WRC27. Yes it's a replacement for the Rally1 cars but's ALSO a replacement for the Rally2 cars.

The Lancia will probably be the last ever homologated Rally2 car, they are slowly going to be phased out over the coming years in favour of the WRC27 cars.

The Ypsilon will probably be the last ever homologated production car. If there's a point people are missing about WRC27 it's that it's a replacement for production car manufacturers in special stage rallying. The touring rally sport is for historics, modern WRC is fully rally racing and it deserves rally racing cars. And even then, for all this talk of suitable, small, cars; it's all moot because you can't force these manufacturers to then

a) homologate a suitable, small, car and develop a rally car out of it
b) compete at world level

[WRCStan]

Do you know anything about this?

By WRCWings Prospeed will use Skoda’s parts. WRC27 regulations are valid for ten years but what if Skoda isn’t there for ten years.

(https://www.wrcwings.tech/2026/02/02...eds-rally-one/
“The mechanical base of the Prospeed’s Rally One will entirely come from the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.”

I've been keeping a close eye on engine talk. Early texts/interviews/pressers always said Rally2 production engines with liberation for possibilities of EV and hydrogen in the future. While it makes sense to use what's available now and kind of entices the Rally2 manufs, access to homologated production engines will throttle the number of newcomer constructors. It shits on the entire philosophy of the ruleset as I put in my previous post.

I've not seen 'production engine' used officially in the past year or so, so I'm fingers crossed they would allow the motorsport industry to produce to Rally2 spec straight away, with whatever changes to the spec in the future. If not now, they need to allow them as quickly as possible.

[WRCStan]

Also, something is lost in translation maybe with Lluis/WRCWings. "All mechanical components must be sourced from current Rally2 manufacturers". I don't think is true. Hansen only refers to the engine I think. Not sure where else it was written/said. The suspension is all change anyway but I think the remaining parts are all available off the OEM's shelves anyway. It makes zero sense to have to have anything other than engine from a production manuf from Rally2 homologation.... getting back to the question what if Skoda aren't there.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

WRC27 & Rally2 performance will be very similar says Toyota's Tom Fowler:

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/how-c...e-in-wrc-2027/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Skoda aren't going anywhere as they confirmed the other day ...

"We are looking into the new regulations,” boss Hrabánek said briefly to Motorsport aktuell.

“(Rallying is) part of the brand’s DNA. Our Fabia is fast and reliable on all surfaces and is the best-selling Rally2 model.”

“That’s why we’ll be entering the 2027 season with this model and will continue to develop it in detail,” Hrabánek said.

[WRCStan]

OK, but as no Rally2-club manufacturers are being enticed to build a WRC27 themselves, it's ridiculous to have the new ruleset written surrounding their existence into the future. If these regs are in the hope that the motorsport sector will do the promo work for the manufs which will lead them back to WRC, everyone is in for a miserable time. Let go, it's over, move on. She said no. Stop pandering to that disinterested club.

[becher]

Curious, I didn't expect that. What I've heard around here from non-car enthusiasts has usually been "I want a smaller car because it's easier to park, cheaper and more fuel efficient" (which often translates into Panda or Clio). And I live in a town where parking is always available, when I go into cities I still see plenty of Citroen C1 size cars.

I guess it's hard to make a European level ratio of liking for smaller cars vs SUVs. But if the people who prefer smaller cars are still a good number, it would be weird if no manufacturer plans to make some smaller car to get those customers and fill the void.

Well yes there are bound to be differences from one place to another.

I do have a bit of a feeling that strategies like Ford of Europe has (had?) are gonna come back and haunt them. But I can't remember the last time the automotive industry moved in the "right" direction so wouldn't bet my house on it.

[wyler]

Also, something is lost in translation maybe with Lluis/WRCWings. "All mechanical components must be sourced from current Rally2 manufacturers". I don't think is true. Hansen only refers to the engine I think. Not sure where else it was written/said. The suspension is all change anyway but I think the remaining parts are all available off the OEM's shelves anyway. It makes zero sense to have to have anything other than engine from a production manuf from Rally2 homologation.... getting back to the question what if Skoda aren't there.

i think mechanical is referring to powertrain (including driveshafts, brakes), as suspension regulation will be different from rally2. also you have to buy from the same producer, u can't have engine from skoda, trasmission from toyota and gearbox from m-sport, let's say.

on engines: you can source it from rally2 or have your own production-based, similar to rally2 spec. (same as skoda with his 2.0 "reduced" if i get it right)

[WRCStan]

you have to buy from the same producer, u can't have engine from skoda, trasmission from toyota and gearbox from m-sport, let's say.

That's not true: https://youtu.be/X-HMEQAfX04?t=740

It also makes no sense where those parts aren't even made by M-Sport, Ford, Citroen, Skoda whatever... why not buy from their suppliers? Why insist on buying from people who are disinterested in these regs? How is that helping cut costs, increase entries...? It doesn't.

If a bodywork only constructor buys a rolling chassis from another constructor, they must stick to what was used without changes. That's absolutely fine.

on engines: you can source it from rally2 or have your own production-based, similar to rally2 spec. (same as skoda with his 2.0 "reduced" if i get it right)

Is it confirmed? It makes no sense. It won't cut costs and increases barriers, regulation and scrutiny; for what?

[Kenneth]

i think mechanical is referring to powertrain (including driveshafts, brakes), as suspension regulation will be different from rally2. also you have to buy from the same producer, u can't have engine from skoda, trasmission from toyota and gearbox from m-sport, let's say.

That's something that was in older ruleset draft, but it isn't a case.