6 replies to this topic

[V10 Fireworks]

There seems to be bit of confusion about it.

The FIA has said that S2000 is meant to be Group N speed. Less torque than Grp N, less weight and bolt in the control transmission.

I think if the WRC is to be S2000, then it should be possible for lots of privateers to run on a very small budget (maybe not much more than a Group N budget, or maybe a few million for the bit of development needed to DIY your own unique make of S2000 car) whilst works teams can run similar cars for tens of millions... very big field in the top class?

The S2000 rules say:

- The nominal cylinder capacity of the car equipped with the kit is limited to a maximum of 2000 cm^3.
Supercharged engines are prohibited.

- It must be fitted with an engine rev. limiter, maximum engine revs
being limited to 8500 rpm.

- The minimum weight is 1150 kg with 6.5" x 15" wheels
and 1100 kg with 18" wheels or 5" x 15" (with only one spare wheel).

- All the parts homologated on the Super 2000 Rally Kit
Variant (VK-S2000-Rally) form must be used in their entirety.
These parts must not be modified.

- The use of titanium, magnesium, ceramics, composite
material or reinforced fibre is prohibited.

- Any electronic driving aid system (as well as its sensors) is
prohibited (ABS / ASR / EPS …).

- Variable timing systems are prohibited.

- Transmission: Only the ratios, the housings and final drives homologated in the
Super 2000 – Rally extension may be used. Only the housings and mechanical limited slip differentials homologated in the Super 2000 – Rally extension may be used
(without any modification). Any differential with electronic management is prohibited.

- Gear changing must be made mechanically.

- The only sensors authorised for data acquisition are the
sensors homologated on the S2000-RA extension form. Any
other sensor is prohibited.

- The transmission of data by radio and/or telemetry is
prohibited.

- Rims must be made from cast aluminium. Gravel rallies, only 6.5’’ x 15” rims are authorised.
Snow rallies, only 5’ ’ x 15’’ rims are authorised. For asphalt rallies, only 8" x 18" rims are authorised.

- The trimmings situated below the dashboard and which are not a
part of it may be removed. ?i.e. I don't think you are allowed a carbon dash board?

- Hydraulic roll bars are not allowed.

http://www.fia.com/r...04_Art_254A.pdf

[Crossa]

Travel expense could limit the field as far as entire teams are concerned.. crews could move around fairly easy though as there could be a similar car waiting for them virtually all over the world

[BRG]

I think this may be the way forward. The old Gp A became excessively expensive and limiting as you had to have a turbocharged 4WD car in your range to homologate and most manufacturers didn't. The WRC formula was meant to get around that problem, which it did, but has in turn become excessively expensive. And it remains a manufacturer only option - a private team can't develop a WRC on their own.

Super 2000 removes turbos which is a good thing IMO, and cuts out all the trick technology. It should be a lot cheaper for a few years until the manufacturers find ways to spend too much money on it.

One thing is for sure, the present WRC set-up looks doomed. Super 2000 might allow the good private teams that used to thrive in rallying to compete once again with the factory teams. Remember that the first ever WRCs were Vatanen/Richards, in a private David Sutton-run Ford Escort RS and they beat the Audi works cars. It would be good to get back to that sort of balance as it would allow far more of the best drivers to be in with a chance.

[roadie]

Those rules sound very similar to the WTCC rules, which produces great racing. Of course rallying is completely different but I think that the rules sound good. I remember seeing great footage of old MkI Escorts sliding around and it seems these rules would encourage similar rallying.

Of course the rally cars of today will be fondly remembered, like those of the 80's and 90's but this seems like a step in the right direction.

[ivanalesi]

If they can extract 300++ bhp out of these engines, then it will be fun cars!

[jokuvaan]

Rules sound like its some historic rally from 50's.

[BRG]

If you can tell me of a 1950s rally car that had 300bhp, let me know. I could win the 2006 FIA Historic Rally Championship with one of them!!

A 2,000cc n/a engine with a 8,500 rpm rev limit should easily be good for 300bhp. The Super Touring engines used a similar rev limit and they were producing 320-330 bhp, but with a very narrow powerband . But you would want a wider powerband for rallying which would you cost a few horses.