Brief history background

WRC class cars where introduced in 1997 following a FIA decision. These cars have to be produced to very limited numbers in order to get the FIA homologation. Production numbers can be kept below 50 units (better still than back in the old Group B days where 200 units had to be produced). The typical WRC class car is based on a large volume production model on which a manufacturer can modify or add the following:

• Modified front and rear suspension layout and attachment points
• Add-on turbo even if the production car does not have one
• Modified transmission and additional transmission tunnels in order to fit a 4x4 transmission even if the production car is 2 wheel drive. Consequently differentials and gear box are free.
• Modified engine intake and exhaust systems
• Modified engine position (the engine can be relocated by a maximum of 2 cm compared to its original position)
• Modified wheelbase and tracks
• The maximum width allowed is 1770 mm

These new regulations allowed Subaru to produce the WRC version of the Impreza, Ford to produce the WRC Escort and Toyota to produce the Corolla WRC. Subaru was at the origin of the new FIA regulations. David Richards (in charge of Prodrive the company that produces the rally versions of the Subaru Impreza) pressured to get the new car homologated arguing that these cars would attract more people (spectators, TVs, etc.) to the World Rally Championship since the new cars were (are they?) much more impressive. This argument proved invalid later in the season. However one has to note that Subaru had already developed the WRC Impreza and this situation took the other teams by surprise. A better argument in favor of WRC cars is the fact that manufacturers have to produce only 50 units to get the FIA homologation hence less financial involvement is required. This fact has led numerous new manufacturers to produce WRC cars. Among them Seat with the Cordoba WRC, Peugeot with the 206 WRC, Ford with the Focus WRC and Huyndai.

While Mitsubishi and Ralliart, wisely, preferred not to produce a WRC version of the Lancer and stick with the Group A car, Ford Motorsport saw the new regulations, as soon as they where introduced, as a launching pad. The Ford Escort RS Cosworth suffered from a "weak" engine in its Group A version. Ford decided to junk the Garrett turbo charger and replace it with a lighter hybrid IHI model (like the one used in the >Impreza). The company also heavily modified the suspension layouts, engine intake, exhaust and management in order to produce the WRC version of the Escort. Note that very few parts made their way from the Escort WRC car to the Focus WRC. Toyota introduced the Corolla WRC in the 1000 Lakes rally 1997. Toyota had not take part in the WRC, officially, since their exclusion for cheating in 1995 when they raced the Celica GT4 in Group A.

The limited production numbers of WRC class cars reserves them solely to competition. No street legal "homologation specials" are needed anymore which means, of course, that you cannot buy one. Additionally each works team will not sell its WRC class contender to a private rally team in the first year of the car's existence for obvious reasons. Starting from the second year of WRC class car's life, private teams can order WRC class models which are not as competitive or evolved as their works counterparts.

The cost of running with such a car is prohibitive to all but the top racing teams. A privately owned WRC car will be charged more than 350000 US$ to the buyer, the running costs are twice that amount for 1 season...engines are replaced after 1000Km of special stages, gearboxes are dismounted and verified after every race and most parts are replaced regularly but at least once every season.

Only time will tell if the WRC class is here to stay or if it will be replaced by another type of car be it Group A, F2 or who knows what.

Next