PRODRIVE / MOTORSPORT / WORLD MOTORSPORT SERIES / WRC

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

The FIA World Rally Championship was the second FIA global series created after Formula One. First contested in 1973 its format has remained similar over the decades with competitors tackling timed special stages over three days of competition. With events taking place on closed public roads on tarmac, gravel or snow, each has a unique character and is a different test for car and driver.

Global manufacturers like Ford, Toyota, and Hyundai use the series to promote their brands and the individual models of cars they compete with. In 2022 new regulations will open up the championship to manufacturers of larger cars as well as seeing the introduction of hybrid technologies.

CARS

World Rally Cars foundation are small family hatchbacks like the Hyundai i20, Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris. From 2022 larger cars, like SUVs make be scaled down proportionally to compete against these B segment vehicles.

Keeping the base road car chassis and base engine, the cars are bespoke engineered for the rigours of the rally stage. The 2 litre turbo charged engines produce close to 400 bhp, while the wheels, tyres and suspension allow the cars to travel over rough surfaces at up to 120 mph, conditions that would destroy a standard car in seconds.

Each car has a driver and co-driver a partnership which sees the co-driver read 'pace-notes' to the driver describing the road ahead beyond what is visible enabling them to tackle the stage at much higher speeds.