Red marquis at 10:39, 30 May 2010

2010-05-30T10:39:35Z

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'''World Rally Car''' is a term used to describe racing automobiles built to the specification set by the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]], the international motorsports governing body, and used to compete in the outright class of the [[World Rally Championship|World Rally Championship (WRC)]]. The WRC specifications were introduced by the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] in 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.suzukisport.com/wrc/e/whats_wrc/history/index.html |title=WRC History |publisher=Suzuki Sport}}</ref>

Technical regulations mandate that World Rally Cars must be built upon a production car with a minimum production run of 2500 units. A number of modifications may be made to the car, including but not limited to:
* Engine with [[engine displacement|displacement]] of no more than 2.0 litres
* [[Turbocharger]] with [[Anti-Lag System]]
* [[Four wheel drive]]
* Sequential [[gearbox]]
* Aerodynamic parts
* Weight reduction to a minimum weight of 1230 kg
* [[Chassis]] strengthening for greater rigidity and safety enhancement ([[rollcage]])

However, unlike [[Group A]], manufacturers are no longer required to build "Homologation Specials" in order to meet approval. The base model need not have the characteristics of the WRC car, as evidenced from cars such the [[Peugeot 206]], [[Peugeot 307|307]], [[Citroën Xsara]] and [[Škoda Fabia]], which have no road car variant with a turbocharged petrol engine or four wheel drive.

To limit power, all forced induction ([[turbocharged]]) cars are fitted with a 34 mm diameter air restrictor before the turbocharger inlet, limiting the air flow to about 10 cubic meters per minute. This air flow limits power output of the engine to 300 hp officially, although the latest WRC engines are believed to produce around 330-340 hp in spite of the air restrictor. With this technologically easy to achieve, engine development is focused towards producing an engine with a very wide [[powerband]] (or power curve). Generally speaking, a power output in excess of 300 hp is available from 3000 rpm to the 7500 rpm maximum, with a peak of 330-340 hp at around 5500 rpm. At 2000 rpm, which is the idle speed in "stage" mode, the power output is slightly above 200 hp <ref>"Subaru Rally Engine - Developing a World Rally Car power plant", page 23-30, Race Engine Technology, issue 005, 2004</ref>.

Before competing in stages (tracks) of the rally, the competing cars are tailored to the specific conditions of stages ahead. [[Suspension]] settings are adjusted, the most appropriate type of [[tyres]] are selected and fitted, the [[four wheel drive]] system's [[differential]] settings are also modified to suit the conditions of the coming stages. Stages may take place on asphalt roads, gravel and dirt roads of varying consistency and frozen snow-covered roads on some rallies held in relatively cold climates.

==World Rally Cars==
{| class="wikitable" align=center style="font-size:90%;"
|-bgcolor="#efefef"
!width=130px| Manufacturer
!width=150px| Car
! From
! To
|-
| {{Flagicon|France}} [[Citroën]]
| [[Citroën C4 WRC|C4 WRC]]
|align=center| [[2007 World Rally Championship season|2007]]
|align=center| [[2010 World Rally Championship season|2010]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|France}} [[Citroën]]
| [[Citroën Xsara WRC|Xsara WRC]]
|align=center| [[2001 World Rally Championship season|2001]]
|align=center| [[2006 World Rally Championship season|2006]]
|-
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Ford Escort WRC|Escort WRC]]
|align=center| [[1997 World Rally Championship season|1997]]
|align=center| [[1998 World Rally Championship season|1998]]
|-
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| [[Ford Focus WRC|Focus WRC]]
|align=center| [[1999 World Rally Championship season|1999]]
|align=center| [[2010 World Rally Championship season|2010]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|South Korea}} [[Hyundai]]
| [[Hyundai Accent WRC|Accent WRC]]
|align=center| [[2000 World Rally Championship season|2000]]
|align=center| [[2003 World Rally Championship season|2003]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Mitsubishi]]
| [[Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC|Lancer Evolution WRC]]
|align=center| [[2001 World Rally Championship season|2001]]
|align=center| [[2003 World Rally Championship season|2003]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Mitsubishi]]
| [[Mitsubishi Lancer WRC|Lancer WRC]]
|align=center| [[2004 World Rally Championship season|2004]]
|align=center| [[2005 World Rally Championship season|2005]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|France}} [[Peugeot]]
| [[Peugeot 206 WRC|206 WRC]]
|align=center| [[1999 World Rally Championship season|1999]]
|align=center| [[2003 World Rally Championship season|2003]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|France}} [[Peugeot]]
| [[Peugeot 307 WRC|307 WRC]]
|align=center| [[2004 World Rally Championship season|2004]]
|align=center| [[2005 World Rally Championship season|2005]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|Spain}} [[SEAT]]
| [[SEAT Cordoba WRC|Cordoba WRC]]
|align=center| [[1998 World Rally Championship season|1998]]
|align=center| [[2000 World Rally Championship season|2000]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Škoda Auto|Škoda]]
| [[Škoda Fabia|Fabia WRC]]
|align=center| [[2003 World Rally Championship season|2003]]
|align=center| [[2006 World Rally Championship season|2006]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Škoda Auto|Škoda]]
| [[Škoda Octavia|Octavia WRC]]
|align=center| [[1999 World Rally Championship season|1999]]
|align=center| [[2003 World Rally Championship season|2003]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Subaru]]
| [[Subaru Impreza WRC|Impreza WRC]]
|align=center| [[1997 World Rally Championship season|1997]]
|align=center| [[2008 World Rally Championship season|2008]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Suzuki]]
| [[Suzuki SX4 WRC| SX4 WRC]]
|align=center| [[2007 World Rally Championship season|2007]]
|align=center| [[2008 World Rally Championship season|2008]]
|-
| {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Toyota]]
| [[Toyota Corolla WRC|Corolla WRC]]
|align=center| [[1997 World Rally Championship season|1997]]
|align=center| [[1999 World Rally Championship season|1999]]
|}

==External links==
* [http://holiday.monacoeye.com/motorsport/rally/photo/07_Stohl_7.html Photos] of World Rally Cars 2006 in Monaco

[[Category:Rally cars|*]]
[[Category:World Rally Championship]]
[[Category:Rally racing terminology]]

World Rally Car - Revision history

Red marquis at 10:39, 30 May 2010