[Auto / Moto] These three categories form the backbone of the World Rally Championship (WRC). But the rules are not necessarily obvious… Auto Moto enlightens you.

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A few hours before the opening of the World Rally Championship, here are things to know about the three floors of the WRC.

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WRC
The philosophy

The elite of world rally driving the fastest cars. Sébastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak… The giant Toyota against its challenger Hyundai… The competitors go first in the stages and compete for victory in the general classification of the major rallies : Monte-Carlo, Safari, Finland, Catalonia…

The costs are high, even for the historic M-Sport team, which represents Ford in rallying. Private teams have little place among "factories". This season, only Frenchman Pierre-Louis Loubet has entered the entire championship at the wheel of a Hyundai i20 WRC, prepared in Auvergne by 2C Competition.

Cars

The current WRC regulations date from 2017. Power has increased from 310 to 380 hp and the rules governing aerodynamics have been relaxed. The approval of 25,000 copies is still required. These war machines are making their last season before giving way to hybrid Rally1s in 2022.

Data sheet: 1.6-liter turbo, 380 hp, approx. 1280 kg, 4-wheel drive

Models: Toyota Yaris WRC, Hyundai i20 Coupé WRC, Ford Fiesta WRC

2020 winners:

1st: Sébastien Ogier (Toyota)
2nd: Elfyn Evans (Toyota)
3rd: Ott Tänak (Hyundai)

=> The calendar of the 2021 World Rally Championship (WRC)

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WRC 2
The philosophy

Reserved for “factory” teams or the most highly rated private teams, this category is the antechamber of the WRC . The competitors appear just after the “big ones” in the order of performance of the world rallies. The battle is fierce between refugees from “Ligue 1” like Andreas Mikkelsen or Eric Camilli and young wolves anxious to be noticed by an elite team like Oliver Solberg or Adrien Fourmaux.

Competitors must participate in at least 8 World Championship rallies out of the 12 scheduled, including one or two outside Europe. All results count, with a view to the pilot and co-pilot title. For the first time, points will be awarded in the final power stage.

Cars

They meet the Rally2 regulations (ex-R5). We find them in this championship, but also in continental or national competitions. Sold by the manufacturers' competition departments, the machines - less sophisticated than the WRCs - are billed for around 200,000 euros.

Data sheet: 1.6-liter turbo, approx. 300 hp, approx. 1,230 kg, 4-wheel drive

Models: Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, Citroën C3 Rally 2, Ford Fiesta Rally2, Hyundai i20 N Coupé Rally 2, Volkswagen Polo GTI R5

2020 winners:

1st: Mads Østberg (Citroën)
2nd: Pontus Tidemand (Škoda)
3rd: Adrien Fourmaux (Ford)

WRC-3
The philosophy

This “third division” brings together vehicles with identical specifications as the WRC-2 . But here, the commitment - reserved for private teams - is less expensive with the International Federation. The competitors - who always fall behind the WRC-2 in the stages - therefore benefit from less media exposure for their sponsors…

Only the best six results out of seven rallies appearing in the world championships count for the driver and co-driver title. Teams are not required to participate in rounds outside Europe.

Cars

These are vehicles meeting the Rally2 regulations (ex-R5), exactly as in WRC 2.

Data sheet: 1.6-liter turbo, approx.300 hp, 1230 kg, 4-wheel drive

Models: Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, Citroën C3 Rally 2, Ford Fiesta Rally2, Hyundai i20 N Coupé Rally 2, Volkswagen Polo GTI R5

2020 winners:

1st: Jari Huttunen (Hyundai)
2nd: Marco Bulacia Wilkinson (Citroën)
3rd: Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Škoda)

Photo: Adrien Fourmaux driving his Ford Fiesta R5 during the 2020 Monza rally / Red Bull Content Pool