Group Rally3

Last updated
Group Rally3
2021 Barum Czech Rally Zlin - Solberg.jpg
Motor racing formula
Category Rallying
Country/RegionInternational
ChampionshipsWRC, Regional, National
Inaugural2021
StatusActive
DrivetrainFour Wheel Drive
Weight to power5.6kg/hp
AptitudeAccess

Group Rally3 is a technical specification of rally car determined by the FIA. It features four-wheel drive and a maximum weight-to-power ratio of 5.6kg/hp. The class is used in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and regional championships. National rallying competitions also allow Group Rally3 cars to compete. There are three technical subclasses of Group Rally3 however these do not affect competitive eligibility so 'Rally3' may be used alone with the same definition. The group was launched in 2021 with the homologation of the first car after the introduction of the Rally Pyramid initiative to reorganise the classes of car and championships in international rallying was approved in June 2018. [1]

Contents

The group was designed to be entry level and the cheapest way to go rallying with four-wheel drive, as existing options like Group Rally2 and Group Rally2-Kit were considered too expensive for some privateers, and too high performance for newcomers to 4WD cars.

Two-wheel-drive R3 cars from Group R were at level RC3 with the mentioned Rally2 and Rally2-Kit at level RC2 in the FIA's sporting classes. With the introduction of Rally3, R3 were reclassified to RC4. [1]

Definition

Group Rally3 cars are defined in FIA document 'Appendix J - Article 260' as Touring Cars or Large Scale Series Production Cars, petrol engine, 4-wheel drive. A production touring car with at least 2500 identical units manufactured must be homologated in Group A, with all the components and changes that make it a Group Rally3 car homologated in an extension. [2]

Cars have a 31mm air intake restrictor, a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 5.6kg/hp, and a rally-ready price cap of €100,000 plus taxes. [3] [1]

The subclasses are based on engine cylinder capacity in common with existing Group Rally4 classes, allowing for possibility of upgrade or sharing of many components with a Rally4 car.

Key Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally3 [2]
ClassDrivetrainMinimum

Weight

Engine

Capacity

AspirationFuelMaximum

Cylinders

Turbo

Restrictor

Wheels

Gravel

Wheels

Asphalt

Production

Requirement

Ra3B4WD1210 kg1390-1600ccNormalPetrol631mm6"x15"7"x17"2500
927-1067ccTurbo
Ra3C1600-2000ccNormal
1067-1333ccTurbo
Ra3D1333-1620ccTurbo

FIA Competition

Rally3 cars are placed alone in FIA 'RC3' sporting class. [4]

Eligibility in FIA WRC Championships 2023
ClassGroupWRCMTWRC2WRC3MastersJunior
RC3Rally3Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Eligibility in FIA Regional Championships 2023
ClassGroupALLERCERTARCMERCAPRCNACAMCODASUR
AbsoluteTeamsERC3ERC4JunJunARC2ARC3ARC4JunMERC2MERC3MERC4JunAPRC3APRC4JunNAC3NAC4JunCOD2COD3COD4
RC3Rally3Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg

Cars

ManufacturerCarDebutHomologation BasisImage
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ford Fiesta Rally3 [5] 2021FIA - A5782
Fiesta ST (Fiesta Mk7)
1497cc Turbo
Rally Poland 2021 Lukasz Byskiniewicz 02.jpg
Flag of France.svg Renault Clio Rally3 [6] [7] 2023FIA - A5779
Clio R.S. Line (Clio V)
1,330 cc Turbo
Renault Clio Rally3 2023 2.jpg
Source: FIA Homologation List 2023 [8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "FIA Rally Car Pyramid Brochure February 2021" (PDF).
  2. 1 2 "Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally5/Rally4/Rally3" (PDF).
  3. "FIA Rally Newsletter #4".
  4. "FIA Regional Rally Sporting Regulations 2021" (PDF).
  5. "FIESTA RALLY3". M-Sport. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  6. "Renault's Clio Rally3 almost ready to break cover". WRC - World Rally Championship. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  7. Barry, Luke (2023-04-25). "Renault Clio Rally3 passes FIA homologation". DirtFish. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  8. HOMOLOGATIONS LIST – 2023 (PDF). FIA.