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
CategoryRallying
Country/RegionInternational
ChampionshipsWRC, Regional, National
Inaugural2019 (2008 as R1)
StatusActive
DrivetrainTwo Wheel Drive
Power to weight6.4kg/hp
AptitudeAccess

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

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Group 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.

Key Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally5[2]
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

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Rally5 cars are placed in FIA 'RC5' sporting class alone.

Eligibility in FIA WRC Championships 2023
Class Group WRC M T WRC2 WRC3 Masters Junior
RC5 Rally5    
Eligibility in FIA Regional Championships 2023
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

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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
 
  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

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References

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  1. ^ a b "FIA Rally Car Pyramid Brochure" (PDF).
  2. ^ a b c d "Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally5/Rally4/Rally3" (PDF).
  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. ^ "FIESTA RALLY5". M-Sport. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  6. ^ "Clio Trophy France - Press release - New Clio Rally makes successful debut - renaultsport.com". Renault Sport. Retrieved 2020-12-12.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "GUD-918-D (MEX) eWRC-results.com".
  8. ^ "GHN-533-D (MEX) eWRC-results.com".
  9. ^ "GHR Motorsport Aiming to Revolutionize Rally Mexico with the Mazda 2".
  10. ^ "GHR Motorsport Mazda 2 R1".
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "FIA Homologation List 2021" (PDF).
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