Group Rally4
AboveGroup Rally4
CategoryRallying
Country/RegionInternational
ChampionshipsWRC, Regional, National
Inaugural2019 (2008 as R2)
StatusActive
DrivetrainTwo Wheel Drive
Power to weight5.1kg/hp
AptitudePerformance

Group Rally4 is a technical specification of rally car determined by the FIA for use in its international competitions: World Rally Championship (WRC) and regional championships. National rallying competitions also allow Group Rally4 cars to compete. There are two technical subclasses of Group Rally4 however these do not affect competitive eligibility. 'Rally4' 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]

The formula for Group Rally4 cars was taken from R2 class of Group R and tweaked with the defining ruleset interchanging the terms, this meant that any existing R2 car homologated or approved since their introduction in 2008 could continue to be used in Rally4 level competition.[2] However, R2 cars homologated prior to 2019 were not required to have a turbo restrictor fitted and remain exempt. Those of R2B class cars also retain the minimum weight of 1030 kg and must use 6.5"x16" on asphalt rallies.

In July 2024, the FIA announced slightly modified Group Rally4 cars will be eligible to race in circuit touring car racing under the name of TC Lite 4 (TCL4) from 2025.[3][4]

Definition

Group Rally4 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 components and changes that make it a Group Rally4 car homologated in an extension.[2] They have a power to weight ratio of 5.1kg/hp.[1]

Key Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally4[2]
Class(Group R legacy class)DrivetrainMinimum WeightEngine CapacityAspirationFuelMaximum CylindersTurbo RestrictorWheels GravelWheels AsphaltProduction Requirement
Ra4BR2B2WD1080 kg1390-1600ccNormalPetrol630mm6"x15"

6.5"x16" or

7"x17"

2500
927-1067ccTurbo
Ra4CR2C1600-2000ccNormal7"x17"
1067-1333ccTurbo

FIA Competition

Rally4 cars are placed in FIA 'RC4' sporting class alongside R3 and Group A cars.[5]

Eligibility in FIA WRC Championships 2023
ClassGroupWRCMTWRC2WRC3MastersJunior
RC4Rally4
Eligibility in FIA Regional Championships 2023
ClassGroupALLERCERTARCMERCAPRCNACAMCODASUR
AbsoluteTeamsERC3ERC4JunJunARC2ARC3ARC4JunMERC2MERC3MERC4JunAPRC3APRC4JunNAC3NAC4JunCOD2COD3COD4
RC4Rally4

Cars

ManufacturerCarDebutHomologation BasisImage
FordFiesta Rally4[6]2019FIA - A5775
Fiesta ST-Line (Fiesta Mk7)
999cc Turbo
FordFiesta R2T2015FIA - A5762
Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost 140 PS (Fiesta Mk7)
999cc Turbo
FordFiesta R22012FIA - A5729
Fiesta 1.6 (Fiesta Mk6)
1597cc Normal
LanciaYpsilon Rally4 HF[7]2025FIA - A5789
Lancia Ypsilon
1204cc Turbo
OpelCorsa Rally4[8]2021FIA - A5781
Opel Corsa GS Line 130
1204cc Turbo
OpelAdam R22014FIA - A5752
Adam Slam 3-Door Hatchback
1398cc Normal
Peugeot208 Rally4[9]2020FIA - A5780
208 GT Line 130
1204cc Turbo
Peugeot208 R22012FIA - A5743
208 VTI 125 3 Portes
1598cc Normal
RenaultClio Rally4[10]2021FIA - A5779
Clio R.S. Line TCE 1.3EDC
1331cc Turbo
RenaultTwingo R22010FIA - A5731
Twingo "Renault Sport"
1598cc Normal
ŠkodaFabia R22011FIA - A5737
Fabia 1.6 16v
1598cc Normal
KiaRio Rally4[11]2021FIA - none Built by CRM Motorsport Approved for use in national championships[12]
Source: FIA Homologation List 2021[13][14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "FIA Rally Car Pyramid Brochure February 2021"
  2. ^ "Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally5/Rally4/Rally3"
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ Lloyd, Daniel (2024-07-23). "New Touring Car Platform to Share Regulations with Rallying". Racecar Engineering. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  5. ^ "FIA Regional Rally Sporting Regulations 2021"
  6. ^ "FIESTA RALLY4". M-Sport. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  7. ^ "Il marchio torna alle corse con la Ypsilon Rally 4 HF". quattroruote.it. quattroruote.it. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Opel Corsa Rally4 on the Start Line | Media OPEL International". int-media.opel.com. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  9. ^ "PEUGEOT 208 Rally 4… Time for action! | Media Peugeot Sport". media.peugeot-sport.com. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  10. ^ "Clio Trophy France - Communiqués de presse - Clio Rally4, née pour gagner - renaultsport.com" (in French). Renault Sport. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  11. ^ Shacki. "eWRC-results.com - rally database". eWRC-results.com. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  12. ^ "Kia Rio Rally4 regessa no Rally Vidreiro: “continuar a evoluir o carro” | AutoSport". www.autosport.pt. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  13. ^ "FIA Homologation List 2021"
  14. ^ "LISTE DES HOMOLOGATIONS / HOMOLOGATIONS LIST – 2026". fia.com