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.[1]
| Group Rally5 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Motor racing formula | |
| Category | Rallying |
| Country/Region | International |
| Championships | WRC, Regional, National |
| Inaugural | 2019 (2008 as R1) |
| Status | Active |
| Drivetrain | Two Wheel Drive |
| Power to weight | 6.4kg/hp |
| Aptitude | Access |
The formula for Group Rally5 cars was taken from R1 class of Group R with the defining ruleset interchanging the terms, this meant that any existing R1 car homologated or approved since their introduction in 2008 could continue to be used in Rally5 level competition.[2] The subclasses defined in R1 however have effectively merged and capacity of permitted turbocharged engines have increased to 1333cc.[2]
In July 2024, the FIA announced slightly modified Group Rally5 cars will be eligible to race in circuit touring car racing under the name of TCL5 from 2025.[3][4]
Definition
editGroup Rally5 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 requirements that make it a Group Rally5 car homologated in an extension.[2] They have a power to weight ratio of 6.4kg/hp.[1]
Rally5 rules are relaxed in comparison to the other Groups Rally formulae making it the most cost efficient and accessible. Only the bodyshell (with safety cage), the seat mountings and the harness need to be homologated, the latter two already having their own Appendix J ruleset outside of Rally5. Bodyshells homologated under Group Rally4 regulations are also permitted in Group Rally5 therefore potentially expanding the range of cars available. Most components of the original Group A model can be used and in many cases are free to replace, however in such cases the performance criteria of Rally5 must always be met.
| Drivetrain | Minimum
Weight |
Engine
Capacity |
Aspiration | Fuel | Maximum
Cylinders |
Turbo
Restrictor |
Wheels
Gravel |
Wheels
Asphalt |
Production
Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD | 1030 kg | Up to 1600cc | Normal | Petrol | 6 | As manufactured | 6"x15" | 6.5"x16" | 2500 |
| Up to 1067cc | Turbo | ||||||||
| 1080 kg | 1067-1333cc |
FIA Competition
editRally5 cars are placed in FIA 'RC5' sporting class alone.
| Class | Group | WRC | M | T | WRC2 | WRC3 | Masters | Junior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC5 | Rally5 | 
|
|
| Class | Group | ALL | ERC | ERT | ARC | MERC | APRC | NACAM | CODASUR | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute | Teams | ERC3 | ERC4 | Jun | Jun | ARC2 | ARC3 | ARC4 | Jun | MERC2 | MERC3 | MERC4 | Jun | APRC3 | APRC4 | Jun | NAC3 | NAC4 | Jun | COD2 | COD3 | COD4 | ||
| RC5 | Rally5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Cars
edit| Manufacturer | Car | Debut | Homologation Basis | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Citroën
|
DS3 R1 | 2012 | FIA - A5739 DS3 VTI 120 So Chic 1598cc Normal |
|
 Ford
|
Fiesta Rally5[5] | 2020 | FIA - A5775 Fiesta ST-Line (Fiesta Mk7) 999cc Turbo |
|
| Ford
|
Fiesta R1 | 2012 | FIA - A5729 Fiesta 1.6 (Fiesta Mk6) 1597cc Normal |
|
| Renault
|
Clio Rally5[6] | 2020 | FIA - A5779 Clio R.S. Line TCE 1.3EDC 1331cc Turbo |
|
| Renault
|
Twingo R1 | 2010 | FIA - A5731 Twingo "Renault Sport" 1598cc Normal |
.jpg)
|
 Toyota
|
Vitz | 2012 | FIA - A5742 Vitz (NCP131) 1501cc Normal |
|
| Mazda
|
2 R1 | 2020 | FIA - no homologation Approved for use in FIA NACAM Built by GHR Motorsport[7][8][9][10] |
|
| Suzuki
|
Swift Rally5 | - | FIA - no homologation
Project of Suzuki Motorsport[11] |
|
| Source: FIA Homologation List 2021[12] | ||||
In addition to the above, bodyshells (and safety cage) homologated in Group Rally4 since 2020 would also be accepted subject to meeting Rally5 criteria elsewhere. For example, where original parts must be used, or power and weight limits met:
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "FIA Rally Car Pyramid Brochure" (PDF).
- ^ a b c d "Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally5/Rally4/Rally3" (PDF).
- ^ "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.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (2024-07-23). "New Touring Car Platform to Share Regulations with Rallying". Racecar Engineering. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ^ "FIESTA RALLY5". M-Sport. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
- ^ "Clio Trophy France - Press release - New Clio Rally makes successful debut - renaultsport.com". Renault Sport. Retrieved 2020-12-12.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "GUD-918-D (MEX) eWRC-results.com".
- ^ "GHN-533-D (MEX) eWRC-results.com".
- ^ "GHR Motorsport Aiming to Revolutionize Rally Mexico with the Mazda 2".
- ^ "GHR Motorsport Mazda 2 R1".
- ^ Equipo Suzuki [@suzukimsport] (2022-10-20). "Swift Rally5 nuestro nuevo proyecto. Our new project #rally5 #Suzuki #Swift #SwiftSport #ERC #ERCLive #PoweredByMotul @rallycarsl https://t.co/U7wwNehH9b" (Tweet). Retrieved 2022-12-21 – via Twitter.
- ^ "FIA Homologation List 2021" (PDF).
External links
edit