WRC Explained – Rally Basics

The World Rally Championship is unlike most other forms of motor-sport. Essentially, the competitors compete against the clock in a time-trial racing format. Each driver faces up to 400 kilometres of road during a rally weekend spread out over an average of 22 stages. At the end of the final stage, the driver completed the total rally distance in the shortest time wins. In 2011 the series will visit 13 destinations. View the calendar here.

The Cars

For 2011, all WRC spec cars have turbo-charged 1.6 litre engines. This is a reduction in engine size from previous seasons. For this reason, most manufacturers have adopted smaller cars, such as the Ford Fiesta and Citreon DS3. The manufacturers must use a car that shares the chassis of a mass-produced road car. For this reason, no “one-off” rally cars are designed, such as in the past during infamous Group-B era.

The cars are however much more advanced than their road-going counterparts. Excess weight is removed, a roll cage is fitted and sophisticated suspension and gear systems are implemented. This year marks the return of a manual gear lever, but the driver still changes gear sequentially without the use of a manual clutch. Modern-day rally cars are surprisingly strong and follow strict safety regulations.

Citreon DS3 | Ford Fiesta | Mini Countryman

Co-Driver

One of the most fundamental aspects of rallying is the driver’s dependence on his co-driver.  A rally may run up to 400km within 3 days, so memorising the stages is next to impossible. The co-driver helps the driver navigate through the stage by calling ‘pace-notes’. The driver and co-driver make pace-notes during the rally recce. These notes describe the road ahead for the driver. The co-driver also has the job of checking in a time-control and making sure the driver’s itinerary and maps are correct.

Scoring Points
1st place at the end of each rally receives 25 points. Second place is awarded 18 points. Points are awarded to all cars in the top ten positions. The same number of points are awarded to a drivers manufacturer. The full points order is 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-5-4-2-1 (from 1st to 10th). This system was adopted in 2010 by both Formula 1 and the WRC.

Furthermore, an additional 3, 2 and 1 point(s) are available for the three fastest drivers in the power stage. The power stage is generally the final stage of each rally and is broadcast live on television.

Running Order/Tactics

One the first full day of the rally, the drivers enter the stages in order of championship position. On the second and third day of the rally, the drivers enter the stage depending on the leadership board at the start of that day. Thus, the driver in first position at the start of the day will enter into all of that day’s stages in first position. The drivers generally enter the stage at two minute intervals.

This format has opened the door to driver and team tactics, almost exclusively on gravel rallies. On gravel, those running at the front of the pack are deemed to have a disadvantage as they sweep away loose gravel. The reduction in grip can seriously reduce the driver’s stage time. Therefore, at the end of day 1 (and day 2) of the rally, drivers may opt slow down in order to drop behind a rival and gain a better road position for the next day.

Crashes & Retirements
If a driver fails to make it through a stage within the time limit for that stage (due to a technical problem or crash) then that driver is excluded from competing in the rest of the day’s stages. He will have retired from competing. The driver can however re-enter the event on the next day of stages under the SupeRally rules, incurring a five-minute penalty for each stage missed.

ServiceDuring a stage or a loop of stages only the driver and co-driver are allowed to make alterations to the car. For example; to change a punctured wheel, remove broken bodywork etc. However, at the end of a ‘leg’ of stages the team mechanics can repair the car at the mid-day service. This is time limited, usually at 20minutes. The car can also be repaired during the end-of-day service, for 45minutes.

If drivers enter service early/late or exit service too late, time penalties will be awarded.Further penalties exist for late arrival to a stage.

Other jargon
Several days before the rally, the drivers are allowed to carry out the”recce” of the stages in order to create and fine-tune their pace notes. The recce is  a slow speed reconnaissance pass through the stages, not a trial run. The day before the rally begins, the drivers can test their car through a shakedown stage.

Drivers navigate to service and between stages on public road sections where they are subject to the local road laws.

Drivers have a choice of tyres offered by Michelin. The tyres choices range from extreme slicks for dry tarmac to studded snow tyres for ice and snow conditions. However it is rumoured that Ott Tänak will be running the whole season on DMACK tyres for the 2012 season in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Beyond the WRC, drivers in N-group rally cars compete in the P-WRC (production) and drivers with naturally aspirated 2 litre engines compete in the S-WRC (super). The J-WRC (junior) is contended by junior drivers, in addition to the WRC academy.