Group R

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 created in 2008 as a gradual replacement for Group A and Group N rally cars.[1][2] To comply with Group R regulations, a car must 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 RGT.[3][4][5]

An Abarth 500 Rally R3T.

Classes

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]

Teams and drivers are sorted into a specific championship based on the class their car fits into.[8] Cars classified as R1, R2 and R3 contest the World Rally Championship-3 for two-wheel drive cars; especially-prepared R3T cars were also used in the Junior World Rally Championship. Cars classified as R4 and R5 compete in the World Rally Championship-2 alongside existing Super 2000 and Group N Production Cars. Cars classified as RGT compete in the R-GT Cup.

Summary
Category Class Engine
capacity		 Engine type Fuel Minimum
weight		 Drivetrain Homologation
requirement		 Championship
eligibility		 Example
RC1 WRC 1600cc Turbocharged Petrol 1230 kg Four-wheel drive 2500 per year WRC Citroën C3 WRC
RC2 R5 1600cc Turbocharged Petrol 1230 kg Four-wheel drive TBA WRC-2, WRC-3[lower-alpha 1] Škoda Fabia R5
R4 Over 2000cc Turbocharged Petrol 1300 kg[9] Four-wheel drive[9] n/a none[lower-alpha 2] Subaru Impreza R4
RC3 R3T Up to 1620cc Turbocharged Petrol 1080 kg Two-wheel drive 2500 per year none[lower-alpha 3] Citroën DS3 R3T[10]
R3C 1600cc to 2000cc Naturally aspirated Petrol 1080 kg Two-wheel drive 2500 per year none[lower-alpha 4] Renault Clio R3C
1067cc to 1333cc Turbocharged none
R3D Up to 2000cc Supercharged Diesel 1150 kg Two-wheel drive 2500 per year Fiat Grande Punto R3D
RC4 R2B 1390cc to 1600cc Naturally aspirated Petrol 1030 kg Two-wheel drive 2500 per year J-WRC Ford Fiesta 1.6 R2[11]
927cc to 1067cc Turbocharged Ford Fiesta Ecoboost R2
R2C 1600cc to 2000cc Naturally aspirated Petrol 1080 kg Two-wheel drive 2500 per year none none
1067cc to 1333cc Turbocharged none
RC5 R1A Up to 1390cc Naturally aspirated Petrol 980 kg Two-wheel drive 2500 per year Toyota TMG Yaris R1A[2]
Up to 927cc Turbocharged none
R1B 1390cc to 1600cc Naturally aspirated Petrol 1030 kg Two-wheel drive 2500 per year Renault Twingo RS R1
927cc to 1067cc Turbocharged none
R-GT No limit Turbocharged or supercharged Petrol TBA Two-wheel drive TBA R-GT Cup Lotus Exige R-GT[4]

Models

The following models have been homologated by the FIA under Group R regulations:[12]

R1

R2

R3

R4

Based on Group N

New vehicles under the FIA R4 project in partnership with Oreca:[15][16]

R5
Škoda Fabia R5

Cars approved for competition in the World Rally Championship-2:

Cars approved for competition in Regional Championships (European Rally Championship, Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, Codasur South American Rally Championship) and national competitions:

  • Mitsubishi Mirage R5[26]
  • Opel Corsa R5[27]
  • Toyota Etios R5[28]

RGT
Lotus Exige R-GT

Notes
  1. Previously eligible to compete in the World Rally Championship-2 Pro.
  2. Previously eligible to compete in the World Rally Championship-2.
  3. Previously eligible to compete in the World Rally Championship-3 and Junior World Rally Championship.
  4. Previously eligible to compete in the World Rally Championship-3.

References
  1. "Specific regulations for cars in Groups R" (PDF). FIA.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  2. 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. 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. Retrieved 1 Oct 2012.
  9. "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. "81e Rallye Monte Carlo 2013 Entry List" (PDF). rallye-magazin.de. Monte Carlo Rally. 20 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  11. "Junior WRC is where it's at, says top rally man". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  12. Fernischumi (3 April 2013). "Las categorías de los rallyes: Grupo N, RGT, R4, R3, R2 y R1 (2/2)".
  13. "Citroen DS3 R3 rally car for FIA Group R3T regulations". Paultan.org.
  14. Carlos Argüelles-Meres Cueto. "El Renault Clio R3T progresa adecuadamente". Archived from the original on 2013-11-29.
  15. https://www.oreca.com/en/manufacturer/fia-r4-kit/
  16. https://tererenelpaddock.wordpress.com/2018/02/21/rally-fia-r4/
  17. "Signed Streets Motorsport". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  18. https://www.diariomotor.com/competicion/noticia/oreca-presenta-un-dacia-sandero-r4-y-el-proceso-para-homologar-su-kit/
  19. https://www.diariomotor.com/competicion/noticia/fiat-500x-de-rallyes-kit-r4/
  20. http://www.evolve-motorsport.com/fiesta/
  21. https://www.diariomotor.com/competicion/noticia/despues-del-dacia-sandero-oreca-presenta-su-propio-lada-kalina-r4/
  22. http://revistascratch.com/wrc/noticia/dytko-sport-prepara-un-nissan-micra-r4-con-el-kit-fia-39914
  23. https://www.oreca.com/en/manufacturer/fia-r4-concept/
  24. http://www.evolve-motorsport.com/yarisr4evolve/
  25. http://www.revistascratch.com/wrc/noticia/el-proton-iriz-r5-recibe-la-homologacion-48721
  26. http://www.mitsubishir5.com/
  27. http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/may-2017/corsa-r5/page/4571--12-12-.html
  28. https://autoblog.com.ar/2017/05/02/toyota-r5-nos-subimos-al-etios-mas-rapido-del-mundo/
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