Group R

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An Abarth 500 Rally R3T.

In relation to motorsport governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, Group R refers to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for rally competition. The Group R regulations were gradually introduced from 2008 as a replacement for Group A and Group N rally cars.[1][2]

To comply with Group R regulations, a car must first be homologated in Group A (or in some cases Group N) and receive one or more VR extensions. Each VR extension is a set of homologated parts and modifications, designed and sold (as a kit or as a complete car) by the manufacturer.

As part of its structure, the Group R regulations have a provision for GT cars, known as R-GT.[3][4][5]

Classes[edit]

Group R consists of six classes, designated R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R-GT; some of these groups contain their own sub-groups, with cars allocated to each group based on their weight, engine size and powertrain.

The first batch of rules, which were introduced in 2008, featured the R1, R2 and R3 classes. These were restricted to two-wheel drive cars with atmospheric engines up to 2000cc. Supercharged engines were allowed only in R3T (petrol) and R3D (diesel) sub-classes. Since 2015 the R1, R2 and R3 classes allow supercharged engines with a 1.5 equivalency factor for displacement.

Additional regulations were issued in 2011 which covered the R4 and R-GT classes; the R4 was conceived as an evolutionary step for previously-homologated Group N4 cars, turbocharged, all-wheel drive cars based on production models. The R4 class is for cars competing under Group N regulations for production cars prior to 2013. No new models would be homologated under R4 regulations, with the FIA taking the long-term view that these would be replaced by bespoke kit cars. The R4 Kit cars have a standard engine, four-wheel drive powertrain and suspension. In January 2017, French racecar manufacturer Oreca was selected as supplier.[6]

R-GT was introduced to allow Grand Touring cars that competed in sports car racing to enter rallies. The R5 class was designed to replace Super 2000 cars, and its regulations were introduced in 2013. Prior to 2014, there was no specific championship for cars entered under R-GT regulations, and R-GT cars were ineligible to score points in any existing championship outside the World Rally Championship. The FIA R-GT Cup for R-GT cars started in 2015, sharing some events from the WRC and ERC events.[7]

The World Rally Championship has historically had specific support championships that each class has been eligible for.[8] Cars classified as R1, R2 and R3 contested the WRC3 for two-wheel drive cars between 2013 and 2018; specially-prepared R3T, later R2B cars, were also used in the Junior WRC. Cars classified as R5 compete in WRC2; and WRC3 in 2020 and 2021, whilst regional championships may allow R5 alongside existing Super 2000 and Group N Production Cars. Cars classified as R-GT competed in the R-GT Cup until it ceased at the end of the 2022 competition.

Summary[edit]

FIA
Sporting Class 		Group R
Class 		Engine
capacity 		Engine type Fuel Minimum
weight 		Drivetrain Homologation
requirement 		Championship
eligibility 		Example
RC2 R5 1600cc Turbocharged Petrol 1230 kg Four-wheel drive 2500 per year WRC2[a] Škoda Fabia R5
R4 Over 2000cc Turbocharged Petrol 1300 kg[9] Four-wheel drive[9] none[b] Subaru Impreza R4
RC4[c][10] R3T Up to 1620cc Turbocharged Petrol 1080 kg Two-wheel drive none[d] Citroën DS3 R3T[11]
R3C 1600cc to 2000cc Naturally aspirated Petrol 1080 kg none[e] Renault Clio R3C
1067cc to 1333cc Turbocharged none
R3D Up to 2000cc Supercharged Diesel 1150 kg Fiat Grande Punto R3D
RC4 R2B 1390cc to 1600cc Naturally aspirated Petrol 1030 kg none[f] Ford Fiesta 1.6 R2[12]
927cc to 1067cc Turbocharged Ford Fiesta Ecoboost R2
R2C 1600cc to 2000cc Naturally aspirated Petrol 1080 kg none none
1067cc to 1333cc Turbocharged none
RC5 R1A Up to 1390cc Naturally aspirated Petrol 980 kg Toyota TMG Yaris R1A[2]
Up to 927cc Turbocharged none
R1B 1390cc to 1600cc Naturally aspirated Petrol 1030 kg Renault Twingo RS R1
927cc to 1067cc Turbocharged none
R-GT No limit Turbocharged or supercharged Petrol 3.4 kg/hp n/a R-GT Cup Lotus Exige R-GT[4]

Models[edit]

The following models have been homologated by the FIA under Group R regulations:[13]

R1[edit]

Manufacturer Model Image
France Citroën Citroën DS3
United Kingdom Ford Ford Fiesta Mk 6
France Renault Renault Twingo II
Japan Suzuki Suzuki Baleno
Suzuki Swift Italian homologation
Japan Toyota Toyota Vitz
Toyota Yaris

R2[edit]

Manufacturer Model Image
France Citroën Citroën C2
United Kingdom Ford Ford Fiesta Mk 6
Germany Opel Opel Adam
France Peugeot Peugeot 208
France Renault Renault Twingo II
Czech Republic Škoda Škoda Fabia
Japan Suzuki Suzuki Swift

R3[edit]

Manufacturer Model Image
France Citroën Citroën DS3 R3T[14]
Italy Fiat Fiat Abarth 500 R3T
Fiat Grande Punto R3D
Japan Honda Honda Civic R3C
France Peugeot Peugeot 207 R3T
France Renault Renault Clio III R3C
Renault Clio IV R3T[15]
Japan Toyota Toyota GT86 R3C

R4[edit]

Based on Group N

Manufacturer Model Image
Japan Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Japan Subaru Subaru Impreza WRX STI 3rd Gen.
Subaru WRX STI 4th Gen.

New vehicles under the FIA R4 Kit project in partnership with Oreca:[16][17]

Model Developer Image FIA Registered[18]
Audi A1 SSM R4 Signed Streets Motorsport[19] Yes
Dacia Sandero R4 [20] (digital concept by Oreca)[20] Yes
Fiat 500X R4 (digital concept by Oreca)[21] Yes
Ford Fiesta R4 Offered by Rally Technic[22]
Hyundai i20 R4 Rally Technic[22] [23]
Lada Kalina R4 (digital concept by Oreca)[24]
Mazda 2 R4 Rally Technic[22] [25]
Mini One F56 Rally2-Kit[26][18] Yes
Nissan Micra R4 (digital concept by Dytko Sport)[27]
Škoda Fabia R4 Proracing Engineering[28][18] Yes
Suzuki Swift R4LLY S[29][18] R-Technology[30] Yes
Toyota Etios R4 Rally Technic[22] [31] Yes
Toyota Yaris R4 Evolve Motorsport[32]
Victor Cartier[33]
Offered by Rally Technic[22] 		Yes
Volkswagen Polo R4 Offered by Rally Technic[22]

R5[edit]

Cars approved for competition in the WRC2 and other R5 based championships:

Manufacturer Car Debut Image
France Citroën Citroën DS3 R5 2012
Citroën C3 R5 2018
United Kingdom Ford Ford Fiesta R5 2013
South Korea Hyundai Hyundai i20 R5 2018
France Peugeot Peugeot 208 T16 R5 2014
Malaysia Proton Proton Iriz R5[34] 2017
Czech Republic Škoda Škoda Fabia R5 2015
Germany Volkswagen Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 2018

Cars that are homologated with national ASNs may compete at national level, or with FIA approval may compete in FIA Regional Championships (European Rally Trophy, African Rally Championship, Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, Codasur South American Rally Championship and NACAM Rally Championship), as per Article 12.3 of the FIA Regional Rally Sporting Regulations:[35]

Manufacturer Car Debut Image
Japan Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Mirage R5[36] 2014
Germany Opel Opel Corsa R5[37] 2017
Japan Toyota Toyota Etios R5[38] 2016

R-GT[edit]

Manufacturer Car Image
Italy Abarth Abarth 124 Spider
France Alpine Alpine A110 Rally
United Kingdom Aston Martin Aston Martin Vantage V8 R-GT
United Kingdom Lotus Lotus Exige R-GT
Germany Porsche Porsche 911 GT3
Porsche Cayman GT4 (Typ 981c)

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Previously eligible to compete in the WRC 2 Pro and WRC3.
  2. ^ Previously eligible to compete in WRC2.
  3. ^ R3 cars were originally RC3 but were reclassified to RC4 in 2021.
  4. ^ Previously eligible to compete in WRC3 and Junior WRC.
  5. ^ Previously eligible to compete in WRC3.
  6. ^ Previously eligible to compete in Junior WRC.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Specific regulations for cars in Groups R" (PDF). FIA.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  2. ^ a b Elizalde, Pablo (13 August 2012). "Toyota unveils entry-level WRC Yaris". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 23 August 2012. Toyota said the car will be able to compete in the World Rally Championship under the R1A regulations once it is homologated by the FIA before the end of the year.
  3. ^ "Specific Regulations for GT Production Cars" (PDF). FIA.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  4. ^ a b Paur, Jason (23 December 2011). "Lotus Shakes Down Its Rally-Spec Exige". Autopia. Wired. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  5. ^ Holmes, Martin (19 December 2011), The Return of the Rallying Sports Car, archived from the original on 26 April 2012, retrieved 23 August 2012
  6. ^ R4 Kits for regional and national rally cars - FIA, 27 January 2017
  7. ^ "WRC welcomes FIA R-GT Cup". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Exciting changes for 2013 WRC". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 21 Sep 2012. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 1 Oct 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Article 260 (2014) - Specific Regulations for Group R Cars - published on 11.04.2014" (PDF). fia.com. Federation Internationale de l'automobile. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  10. ^ "FIA WRC Sporting Regulations 2021" (PDF).
  11. ^ "81e Rallye Monte Carlo 2013 Entry List" (PDF). rallye-magazin.de. Monte Carlo Rally. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  12. ^ "Junior WRC is where it's at, says top rally man". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 6 December 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  13. ^ Fernischumi (3 April 2013). "Las categorías de los rallyes: Grupo N, RGT, R4, R3, R2 y R1 (2/2)".
  14. ^ "Citroen DS3 R3 rally car for FIA Group R3T regulations". Paultan.org.
  15. ^ Carlos Argüelles-Meres Cueto. "El Renault Clio R3T progresa adecuadamente". Archived from the original on 2013-11-29.
  16. ^ "FIA R4 - the Kit EN".
  17. ^ "Rally Spec 101 ¿Qué es el Kit FIA R4?". 21 February 2018.
  18. ^ a b c d "Specific Regulations for Cars fitted with R4 KIT" (PDF).
  19. ^ "Signed Streets Motorsport". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  20. ^ a b "ORECA presenta un Dacia Sandero R4 y el proceso para homologar su kit".
  21. ^ "¿Un Fiat 500X de rallyes? El Kit FIA R4 lo ha hecho posible y se espera su debut para 2019".
  22. ^ a b c d e f "Services, Rally Technic".
  23. ^ "Gallery - Hyundai i20 R4".
  24. ^ "Después del Dacia Sandero, ORECA presenta su propio Lada Kalina R4".
  25. ^ "Gallery - Mazda 2 R4".
  26. ^ "MINI One F56 Rally2+kit". 14 November 2022.
  27. ^ "Dytko Sport prepara un Nissan Micra R4 con el kit FIA".
  28. ^ "R4 rally cars and Rally2 Kit". Archived from the original on 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  29. ^ "SUZUKI MOTOR IBERICA ENTERS ERC2 WITH SWIFT R4LLY S". 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  30. ^ "Suzuki Swift R4LLY S - R-Technology". 17 December 2019.
  31. ^ "Gallery - Toyota Etios R4".
  32. ^ "Yaris R4 EVOLVE – EVOLVE MOTORSPORT".
  33. ^ "French talent Cartier heads to ERC in a Toyota Yaris- whatever next?".
  34. ^ "El Proton Iriz R5 recibe la homologación".
  35. ^ "FIA Regional Rally Regulations 2021" (PDF).
  36. ^ "Mitsubishi R5". www.mitsubishir5.com. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
  37. ^ "R5 Corsa breaks cover".
  38. ^ "Toyota R5: Nos subimos al Etios más rápido del mundo". 2 May 2017.
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