Group Rally4

Last updated
Group Rally4
2021 Barum Czech Rally Zlin - Laszlo.jpg
Motor racing formula
Category Rallying
Country/RegionInternational
ChampionshipsWRC, Regional, National
Inaugural2019 (2008 as R2)
StatusActive
DrivetrainTwo Wheel Drive
Power to weight5.1kg/hp
AptitudePerformance

Group Rally4 is a technical specification of rally car determined by the FIA for use in its international competitions: World Rally Championship (WRC) and regional championships. National rallying competitions also allow Group Rally4 cars to compete. There are two technical subclasses of Group Rally4 however these do not affect competitive eligibility. 'Rally4' may be used alone with the same definition. The group was launched in 2019 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 formula for Group Rally4 cars was taken from R2 class of Group R and tweaked with the defining ruleset interchanging the terms, this meant that any existing R2 car homologated or approved since their introduction in 2008 could continue to be used in Rally4 level competition. [2] However, R2 cars homologated prior to 2019 were not required to have a turbo restrictor fitted and remain exempt. Those of R2B class cars also retain the minimum weight of 1030 kg and must use 6.5"x16" on asphalt rallies.

In July 2024, the FIA announced slightly modified Group Rally4 cars will be eligible to race in circuit touring car racing under the name of TCL4 from 2025. [3] [4]

Definition

Group Rally4 cars are defined in FIA document Appendix J - Article 260 as Touring Cars or Large Scale Series Production Cars, supercharged Petrol engine (including rotary engines), 2-wheel drive (front or rear 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 Rally4 car homologated in an extension. [2] They have a power to weight ratio of 5.1kg/hp. [1]

Key Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally4 [2]
Class(Group R

legacy class)

DrivetrainMinimum

Weight

Engine

Capacity

AspirationFuelMaximum

Cylinders

Turbo

Restrictor

Wheels

Gravel

Wheels

Asphalt

Production

Requirement

Ra4BR2B2WD1080 kg1390-1600ccNormalPetrol630mm6"x15"6.5"x16"

or

7"x17"

2500
927-1067ccTurbo
Ra4CR2C1600-2000ccNormal7"x17"
1067-1333ccTurbo

FIA Competition

Rally4 cars are placed in FIA 'RC4' sporting class alongside R3 and Group A cars. [5]

Eligibility in FIA WRC Championships 2023
ClassGroupWRCMTWRC2WRC3MastersJunior
RC4Rally4Yes check.svgYes check.svg
Eligibility in FIA Regional Championships 2023
ClassGroupALLERCERTARCMERCAPRCNACAMCODASUR
AbsoluteTeamsERC3ERC4JunJunARC2ARC3ARC4JunMERC2MERC3MERC4JunAPRC3APRC4JunNAC3NAC4JunCOD2COD3COD4
RC4Rally4Yes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svg

Cars

ManufacturerCarDebutHomologation BasisImage
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ford Fiesta Rally4 [6] 2019FIA - A5775
Fiesta ST-Line (Fiesta Mk7)
999cc Turbo
Rally Poland 2021 Amaury Molle 01.jpg
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ford Fiesta R2T 2015FIA - A5762
Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost 140 PS (Fiesta Mk7)
999cc Turbo
Ford Fiesta R2 - Roland Poom.jpg
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ford Fiesta R2 2012FIA - A5729
Fiesta 1.6 (Fiesta Mk6)
1597cc Normal
WRCweekend2011 (5569785631).jpg
Flag of Germany.svg Opel Corsa Rally4 [7] 2021FIA - A5781
Opel Corsa GS Line 130
1204cc Turbo
Rally Poland 2021 Lukasz Lewandowski.jpg
Flag of Germany.svg Opel Adam R2 2014FIA - A5752
Adam Slam 3-Door Hatchback
1398cc Normal
Rally Poland 2021 Damian Lata.jpg
Flag of France.svg Peugeot 208 Rally4 [8] 2020FIA - A5780
208 GT Line 130
1204cc Turbo
Rally Poland 2021 Norbert Maior.jpg
Flag of France.svg Peugeot 208 R2 2012FIA - A5743
208 VTI 125 3 Portes
1598cc Normal
Rajd Polski - 2018 Catie Munnings 02.jpg
Flag of France.svg Renault Clio Rally4 [9] 2021FIA - A5779
Clio R.S. Line TCE 1.3EDC
1331cc Turbo
Rally Poland 2021 Ola Nore Jr.jpg
Flag of France.svg Renault Twingo R2 2010FIA - A5731
Twingo "Renault Sport"
1598cc Normal
2013 Rallye Sunseeker (10366877384).jpg
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Škoda Fabia R2 2011FIA - A5737
Fabia 1.6 16v
1598cc Normal
2014 Rally Bohemia - Triner.jpg
Flag of Portugal.svg Kia Rio Rally4 [10] 2021FIA - none

Built by CRM Motorsport Approved for use in national championships [11]

Flag of Italy.svg Lancia Ypsilon Rally 4 HF [12] 2025
Source: FIA Homologation List 2021 [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Rally Championship</span> Rallying championship series, highest level of rallying competition

The World Rally Championship is an international rallying series owned and governed by the FIA. Inaugurated in 1973, it is the second oldest of the FIA's world championships after Formula One. Each season lasts one calendar year, and separate championship titles are awarded to drivers, co-drivers and manufacturers. There are also two support championships, WRC2 and WRC3, which are contested on the same events and stages as the WRC, but with progressively lower maximum performance and running costs of the cars permitted. Junior WRC is also contested on five events of the World Rally Championship calendar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junior WRC</span> Rallying competition for drivers under 29

The FIA Junior WRC Championship, is an international rallying series restricted to drivers under 29 years old, running within the framework of the World Rally Championship. The series is governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and promoted by M-Sport Ltd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Group N</span> 1982–2013 FIA racing car classification for series-production cars

In relation to international motorsport governed by the FIA, Group N refers to regulations providing "standard" large-scale series production vehicles for competition. They are limited in terms of modifications permitted to the standard specification by the manufacturer making them a cost effective method of production vehicle motorsport. Often referred to as the "showroom class", Group N contrasts with Group A which has greater freedom to modify and tune the cars to be more suitable to racing. Both groups may have the same or similar models homologated by a manufacturer.

The FIA WRC2 is a support championship of the World Rally Championship (WRC). The calendar consists of the same rallies and stages as the parent series and crews usually compete immediately after Rally1 class crews. WRC2 is limited to production-based cars homologated under Group Rally2 rules. There are separate specific championship titles awarded to Teams, Drivers and Co-Drivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Group R</span> FIA racing car classification for production-derived cars

In relation to motorsport governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, Group R refers to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for rally competition. The Group R regulations were gradually introduced from 2008 as a replacement for Group A and Group N rally cars.

The FIA WRC3 is a support championship of the World Rally Championship. The calendar consists of the same rallies and stages as the parent series and crews usually compete immediately after WRC2 entrants. Entry into WRC3 is limited to cars that are based on production models and homologated under Group Rally3 rules, although prior to 2022 Group Rally2 cars were used. There are championship titles awarded to drivers and co-drivers. The series began in 2013 and was limited to production-based cars homologated under the R1, R2 and R3 rules, until its cancellation at the end of 2018. The current format of the series began in 2020.

The 2021 European Rally Championship was the 69th season of the FIA European Rally Championship, the European continental championship series in rallying. The season was also the ninth following the merge between the European Rally Championship and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Alexey Lukyanuk was the reigning champion. Andreas Mikkelsen won the championship after 2021 Rally Hungary, using a Toksport WRT prepared Škoda Fabia R5 Evo. Mikkelsen therefore became the only driver to win the ERC and WRC-2 championship in one year and the first Norwegian to win ERC.

The FIA Rally Pyramid is the collective description and organisation of championships, car performance classes and driver aptitude in international rallying. In 2019 the FIA rally commission presented a radical overhaul to the rally pyramid to introduce common nomenclature and structure of the international championships and car classes used across the sport in a similar way to terminology used in formula racing. At the top of the pyramid, Rally1 describes elite level of driver aptitude and car performance in the World Rally Championship (WRC). At the foot of the pyramid is Rally5, designed for cost effective introductory rallying competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Fiesta Rally4</span> Ford Rally4 rally car

The Ford Fiesta Rally4 is a rally car developed and built by M-Sport and Ford Performance to FIA Group Rally4 regulations and designed for competition in the fourth tier of the Rally Pyramid. It is based upon the Ford Fiesta road car and is the updated version of the Ford Fiesta R2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Fiesta Rally3</span> Ford Rally3 rally car

The Ford Fiesta Rally3 is a rally car developed and built by M-Sport to FIA Group Rally3 regulations for use at tier 3 of the FIA Rally Pyramid. It is based upon the Ford Fiesta road car and debuted in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Clio Rally4</span> Renault Rally4 rally car

The Renault Clio Rally4 is a rally car developed and built by Renault Sport for the Rally Pyramid regulation of the Rally4 category. It is based upon the Renault Clio road car and used by the crews competing the European Rally Championship-3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Clio Rally5</span> Renault Rally5 rally car

The Renault Clio Rally5 is a rally car developed and built by Renault Sport for the Group Rally5 specification of the Rally Pyramid. It is based upon the Renault Clio road car and made its WRC debut at the 2020 Rally Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peugeot 208 Rally4</span> Renault Rally4 rally car

The Peugeot 208 Rally4 is a rally car developed and built by Peugeot Sport for the Rally Pyramid regulation of the Rally4 category. It is based upon the Peugeot 208 road car and was launched in 2020 and is a successor to Peugeot 208 R2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Group Rally2</span> FIA rally car formula

Group Rally2 is a technical specification of rally car determined by the FIA. It features 1.6L turbo engines, four-wheel drive and a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 4.2kg/hp. Rally2 cars are used in the World Rally Championship and continental championships; a few national rallying competitions also allow Group Rally2 cars to compete. The group was launched in 2019 with other similarly named groups after the introduction of the Rally Pyramid initiative to reorganise the classes of car and championships in international rallying was approved in June 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Group Rally3</span> FIA rally car formula

Group Rally3 is a technical specification of rally car determined by the FIA. It features four-wheel drive and a maximum power-to-weight 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Group Rally5</span> FIA rally car formula

Group Rally5 is a technical specification of rally car determined by the FIA for use in its international rallying competitions: World Rally Championship (WRC) and regional championships. National rallying competitions also allow Group Rally5 cars to compete. There are no subclasses of the group therefore all Group Rally5 cars can compete in the same category. 'Rally5' may be used alone with the same definition. The group was launched in 2019 after the introduction of the Rally Pyramid initiative to reorganise the classes of car and championships in international rallying was approved in June 2018.

In international rallying, the Groups Rally are the collective name given to formulae of rally car as defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile for use in the World Rally Championship and the FIA's regional championships. The names were approved in June 2018 and began being used in 2019 in conjunction with promotion of the Rally Pyramid, a reorganisation of rallying nomenclature, car specifications and championships. As of 2020, the groups' names are officially defined as replacing Group R in the FIA's competitions. The numbering used in the names of the new groups align with the FIA sporting classification, Rally1 is in RC1, Rally2 in RC2, and so on. From 2022 the championships will also align to these numbers, WRC2 shall use Rally2 cars whereas ERC3 for example, will Rally3 cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 European Rally Championship</span>

The 2022 European Rally Championship is the 70th season of the FIA European Rally Championship, the European continental championship series in rallying. The season is also the ninth following the merge between the European Rally Championship and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Andreas Mikkelsen was the reigning champion. Javier Pardo Siota is the reigning champion of ERC 2, now renamed as ERC Open, while Jean-Baptiste Franceschi is the reigning champion of ERC 3 - now renamed as ERC 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Clio Rally3</span> Renault Rally3 rally car

The Renault Clio Rally3 is a rally car developed and built by Alpine Racing to FIA's Group Rally3 regulations. It is based upon the Renault Clio road car and debuted in 2023.

The 2024 European Rally Championship is the 72nd season of the FIA European Rally Championship, the European continental championship series in rallying. The season is also the eleventh following the merge between the European Rally Championship and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Hayden Paddon is the defending drivers champion.

References

  1. 1 2 "FIA Rally Car Pyramid Brochure February 2021" (PDF).
  2. 1 2 3 "Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally5/Rally4/Rally3" (PDF).
  3. "FIA announces TC Lite, technical ruleset for accessible low-cost touring car racing". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  4. Lloyd, Daniel (2024-07-23). "New Touring Car Platform to Share Regulations with Rallying". Racecar Engineering. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  5. "FIA Regional Rally Sporting Regulations 2021" (PDF).
  6. "FIESTA RALLY4". M-Sport. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  7. "Opel Corsa Rally4 on the Start Line | Media OPEL International". int-media.opel.com. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  8. "PEUGEOT 208 Rally 4… Time for action! | Media Peugeot Sport". media.peugeot-sport.com. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  9. "Clio Trophy France - Communiqués de presse - Clio Rally4, née pour gagner - renaultsport.com". Renault Sport (in French). Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  10. Shacki. "eWRC-results.com - rally database". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  11. "Kia Rio Rally4 regessa no Rally Vidreiro: "continuar a evoluir o carro" | AutoSport". www.autosport.pt. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  12. "Il marchio torna alle corse con la Ypsilon Rally 4 HF". quattroruote.it. quattroruote.it. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  13. "FIA Homologation List 2021" (PDF).