Rally To Become Cheaper
[ June 26th, 2008 ] By: Charles Smith Posted in » Ramblings
The FIA cleared up rule changes for the 2010 World Rally Championship. They decided that the WRC will adopt rules similar to Super2000 (aka S2000) in an attempt to make the WRC cheaper and easier to enter.
One of the new rules is that they will impose a price limit on the car. However I think big teams will still be able to get around this. The Subaru World Rally Team (SWRT), for example, is handled by Prodrive and they could absorb much of the design cost of the car and not “charge” as much as they should for parts. Even so, I think the lower priced cars will draw more manufacturers and competitors alike, so that is a good thing.
Hopefully, they do not ban forced induction, ie turbochargers, as that is one of the rules in S2000. I am fond of turbochargers, but I do understand that adding a turbocharger and making a reliable setup can be expensive, but I just love them too much. I seem like a giddy schoolgirl around turbochargers and will giggle uncontrollably when hearing them spool. However this rule may make sense if the FIA also introduces a lower power limit (280HP for S2000 vs 300HP for WRC).
One rule that is present in S2000 and not the WRC is the transmission requirements. In S2000 you must buy an official gearbox (sequential duhhh) while in the WRC the top teams make their own. It will be interesting to see if and how this rule is implemented. I doubt that it will make entering the WRC any cheaper and could pose a problem if teams are not allowed to redesign a mediocre sequential gearbox that they must buy.
Im glad that the rule changes are going to be less drastic than people thought at first (Front-Wheel Drive Only, 1600cc limit, etc…). It is bringing the WRC back to the “Real Cars, Real Roads, Real Fast” that rally is so often described as.
June 27th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Question: regarding the S2000 gearbox, are the gear ratio’s are also standardized? I’m assuming that limits top speed and pushes for more efficient use of the engine, right?
Also, Would a standard gearbox/ratios pose a problem for a rally car expected to compete on differing terrain?
June 27th, 2008 at 3:18 am
Also also,
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June 27th, 2008 at 3:41 am
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Regarding the S2000 gearbox. I am not sure, but there are 3 official producers of the gearboxes so they are all probably a tad different. There used to be only one producer but the FIA wanted to LOWER costs not give someone a monopoly. I hope hope hopeeeeeeeeee they are customizable, because different rallies require different gearing. Although I guess you could get away with standard gears. This is def something to look into. Thanks yo.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:53 am
They have to buy a specific gearbox? But what about things like how different engines have different transmission mounts and housings?! That is going to be a logistical nightmare, trying to make more or less equivalent gearboxes for all the different engines and drivetrain setups.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
What is it going to take to get Rally to become more popular in the US? I know that the XGames is a good venue to start, but can anything pry NAS[yawn]CAR from the fans?
I’m not talking about NBA or NFL type coverage, but it seems Rally racing is really only catching on in the NE US… what gives?
June 27th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Ive noticed that rally has been growing out in the North West too. Which is great, and the west coast has a ton more space for things like RallyX which has been good. Getting Rally to be as popular as NASCAR will take support from the Manufacturers too and I’m pretty sure only Subaru has really been pushing for it. Mitsubishi sponsors one or two teams but we really need more manufacturer support.
June 29th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
As for the north east thing, I guess it has something to do with how driving on the roads up here are like driving through a rally course; obstacles, ruts, bumps and generally crazy terrain no matter where you go. :P