Group Rally1

Within the motorsport discipline of rallying, Group Rally1 is a formula of rally car specifications for use at the highest level of international rallying in the World Rally Championship (WRC) as determined by the FIA. Despite the use of the word 'Group' in the name, there are not multiple classes or subclasses of car and so 'Rally1' may be used alone with the same definition. Rally1 cars were used for the first time in the 2022 WRC season and replaced the outgoing World Rally Car used in the manufacturer's championship. Though they may run on any individual rally as permitted by the organiser, they will not be used in any other championship.

The calls for new cars were made by the existing WRC competing manufacturers to reflect both changes in consumer marketing preferences, such as advancements in technology, and the need to reduce costs to make competing sustainable. The move to a new formula of car was approved in June 2018 along with a complete overhaul of cars and championships in the Rally Pyramid.^[1]

Regulations[]

Rally1 cars are defined in Article 262 of Appendix J of the International Sporting Code.^[2] The cars have two radical new features for rally cars in the World Rally Championship, the first being hybrid electric power units in use for the first time. The second, less obvious characteristic is that Rally1 cars are not needed to be homologated in Group A or N and have no series production car requirement with being 'Category II' purpose built competition vehicles. However, they must be identifiable as being based on a series production model. Tubular space frame structures are permitted allowing for scaling of production models whilst production bodyshells will also be permitted as tradition. They will also feature common safety cell structures, centrally designed in partnership with the FIA. The existing 380hp 1.6L global race engine will continue to be used.

Other key features include:^[3][4]

• synthetic fuels, claimed to be sustainable and renewable^[5]
• Artificial Intelligence Safety Cameras (AISC), to monitor the special stage for safety purpose, eg. out of place spectators^[6]
• less complex suspension with reduced travel
• a reduction from 6 to 5 speed gearboxes, in common with Rally2 cars including the removal of 'flappy-paddle' gear shifters
• removal of the active central differential altogether
• ban on liquid cooled brakes
• simplified fuel tank shape
• simplified turbo
• removal of the fresh air valve in the anti lag system
• removal of some aerodynamic components

The changes to aerodynamics remove expensive and commonly damaged parts such as the rear diffuser. Hidden ducts for cooling purposes are banned.^[7]

Hybrid system[]

The hybrid electric power system is supplied to all teams by a third party, Compact Dynamics, incorporating a battery supplied by Kreisel Electric. It is used to power the cars in 100% electric zones on liaison sections as set in the rally roadbook by the rally organiser. On the special stages it also provides a boost of up to 100 KW or 134 hp alongside the combustion engine and recuperates kinetic energy under braking. The driver will have three options to choose from to deploy the boost, with a further three options to choose on how to recuperate energy under braking. The driver must set these options before a special stage and are not able to choose when to deploy the electric boost within the stage. The hybrid electric system adds an extra 84kg to the cars gross weight and due to its 750-volts the cars will wear HY identification, with white letters on a red background, on the door panel. Crews are also required to carry high voltage gloves to use in the event of an issue. ^{[4][6][8][9][10]}

FIA Competition[]

Rally1 cars are only permitted in the World Rally Championship where entered by the manufacturer teams. The cars may appear on individual rallies where entered by the manufacturers but not under a championship point-scoring situation.

In new Global Rally Rankings for drivers and co-drivers being introduced in 2022, Rally1 cars have a Group Co-efficient of 1.0.^[11]

Eligibility in FIA Championships 2022 • Main article: Rally Pyramid

Class	Group	WRC					R-GT Cup	Regional Championships
								ALL	ERC		ERT		ARC			MERC			APRC		NACAM		CODASUR
		Open	M	T	WRC2	WRC3	RGT	Open	ERC3	ERC4	ERT3	ERT4	ARC2	ARC3	ARC4	MERC2	MERC3	MERC4	APRC3	APRC4	NAC3	NAC4	COD2	COD3	COD4
RC1	Rally1

Cars[]

The FIA have not published details of homologated Rally1 cars, although Toyota Gazoo Racing, M-Sport and Hyundai Motorsport have all developed and entered cars into the 2022 WRC season.^[12][13][14]

Manufacturer	Car	Debut	Chassis	Image
Hyundai	Hyundai i20 N WRC Rally1[15]	2022	Tubular, Scaled[16][17]
M-Sport Ford	Ford Puma Rally1[18]	2022	Tubular,[19] Scaled[20]
Toyota	Toyota GR Yaris WRC Rally1[21]	2022	Tubular,[7] Scaled[22][23]

Notes[]

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rally1.

• Official website