The FIA’s Rally2 (the category formerly known as R5) has been a resounding success, with manufacturers such as M-Sport and Skoda selling hundreds, if not thousands, of cars to customers since the cost-capped rule set arrived in 2012. However, at one step down from the top of the current rally pyramid, Rally2 can hardly be described as accessible, with contemporary machines coming in north of €200,000 (approx. $219,500) after tax. A bargain for what they are, but a significant jump from the 2WD vehicles present in the Rally4 class.
Since the effective demise of Group N4 (think Evos and Imprezas) there hasn’t been a logical stepping stone into 4WD competition. Enter Rally3, the new middle rung of the FIA’s much-vaunted progression pyramid.
Rally3 cars are cost capped at just over €100,000 (approx. $110,000), a significant saving over a Rally2, and compared to the few Group N4 cars still available.
‘The technical regulations are quite open, which makes it interesting for us as engineers to work’
Yann Paranthoen, chief engineer and project manager on the Clio Rally3
By ensuring commonality of many parts with Rally2 cars, but with the addition of a four-wheel-drive system and some extra power, cost can be kept bearable
The idea is that by ensuring commonality of many parts with Rally2 cars, but with the addition of a four-wheel-drive system and some extra power, cost can
