Rally Cars

I'm a big F1 fan but I catch a bit of rally racing here and there, what I don't understand is why are 90% of the cars FWD compact based cars? It is due to FIA regulations, traction issues, or compacts being lighter in weight and shorter in length to fit in those tight roads? Do FWD compacts really have an advantage over say mid size AWD/RWD? Yes, I know there's the odd Evo and Wrx but they don't seem to be winning, at least the times I've watched. Someone explain this to me, thnx.

FWD have better handling that RWD cars. Remember those cars are putting about ~400bhp to the wheels. However the main reason that a lot of cars in WRC are FWD is due to the fact that FIA dictates that production models are to be used. That means u cannot take a FWD car and replace its drivetrain, making it AWD. If it is sold as FWD, then it competes as FWD.

My favorite is Peugot 206. That car looks so sweet.

Presumably you are talking about catching coverage of a domestic rally, such as the Rally of the Tall Pines, Baie de Chaleur or any of the western Canadian rallies? The top level cars in the Canadian rally championship are 4WD modified rally cars, such as Subie WRX, Mitsu EVO, the Sprongl's old Audi (retired the car now though), etc. However, the cars are separated into classes (i.e. categories). The categories range from Open (not quite anything goes, but almost -- generally 4WD with modified engine, suspension, etc.) all the way down through production classes that are essentially, grab a cheap car, pop in a roll cage and way you go...

Why so many 2WD cars? $$$$ There's not a lot of sponsorship in domestic racing, so it's a case of buying a car, modifying it, buying tires, getting transportation to and from, etc... buying a cheap old 2WD car and racing in that category makes the sport more accessible and competitive.

Now... WRC... that is a whole different ballgame. 4WD Open cars -- they're not even stock frames or anything. The cars just have the skin of the production car. I'm sure there are some regulations about sharing some parts with the production model, but overall, they're purpose built race cars and all 4WD.

It is a WAY COOL sport to watch! I love the WRC coverage on Speed - enjoy it far more than any other type of racing.
Enjoy!

Sorry dude... there are NO 2WD cars in the WRC, front or rear wheel -- every WRC car is 4WD. Even in the Junior WRC series, its all 4WD. Citroen, Peugeut, Subie, Mitsu, Skoda, Ford -- all their WRC cars are 4WD.

2WD cats are generally only in domestic rallies, and these cars are in production based classes and modifications are limited... ergo, no 400hp cars in these classes.

Exceptions? There are high HP 2WD cars in adventure rallies such as the Paris-Dakar.

Originally Posted by djpharoah

FWD have better handling that RWD cars. Remember those cars are putting about ~400bhp to the wheels. However the main reason that a lot of cars in WRC are FWD is due to the fact that FIA dictates that production models are to be used. That means u cannot take a FWD car and replace its drivetrain, making it AWD. If it is sold as FWD, then it competes as FWD.

My favorite is Peugot 206. That car looks so sweet.

Originally Posted by djpharoah

FWD have better handling that RWD cars. Remember those cars are putting about ~400bhp to the wheels. However the main reason that a lot of cars in WRC are FWD is due to the fact that FIA dictates that production models are to be used. That means u cannot take a FWD car and replace its drivetrain, making it AWD. If it is sold as FWD, then it competes as FWD.

My favorite is Peugot 206. That car looks so sweet.

Wow... you clearly have no idea. I feel sorry for you that has been misformed so much

I miss WRC on Speed since i now have only basic cable(not paying for it or have control of it to upgrade so not complaining) .

The peugeots kick ass. They are smaller than WRX and evo and so fit well into the sharp corners which they take so well.

Yep did see some front wheel drive types in rallies but as Ride - On pointed out, these are the less prestigious and possibly local Canadian ones.

Did see a Hyundai Accent in a Rally but not sure if it was front wheel drive or modified to 4 wheel drive with other rally type modifications. It did perform well and took the jamming quite well though.

Aren't the Citroen Xsara and Suzuki Ignis S1600 both FWD?

Originally Posted by Taiphun

Aren't the Citroen Xsara and Suzuki Ignis S1600 both FWD?

I believe all the Citroens and Peugeots in EDM form over the past few years, come only in FWD yes. Don't know about the Suzuki.


The WRC iterations are nothing like the production cars though.

Even the AWD street cars (ie. WRX, EVO) are nothing like the WRC cars styled to look like them.

FWD handles better then RWD...sure

Yes, I think it was the top pines rally. They (the host) were talking about the world championship being already decided but the north amerian one was still open; I had no idea and just assumed it was the WRC.

So, the WRC cars are basically econo car skins but totally different drivetrain, suspensions, etc...got it, thanks. Agree, it's an awesome motorsport but it's usually on at odd hours.

the reason is because in rally terrain, you want more understeer than oversteer to control the car hence you use a FWD car. It's similar to snow driving, you want more understeer so you can control you car better.

Originally Posted by Mr.Universe

FWD handles better then RWD...sure

Yes, I think it was the top pines rally. They (the host) were talking about the world championship being already decided but the north amerian one was still open; I had no idea and just assumed it was the WRC.

So, the WRC cars are basically econo car skins but totally different drivetrain, suspensions, etc...got it, thanks. Agree, it's an awesome motorsport but it's usually on at odd hours.

are you calling a Subraru Impreza STi an econo car? Or countless Audis that are used as rally cars in the past?

Originally Posted by fast_typeR

the reason is because in rally terrain, you want more understeer than oversteer to control the car hence you use a FWD car. It's similar to snow driving, you want more understeer so you can control you car better.

Are you talking about "you" as in the OP of this thread?

I most certainly would NOT want an FWD car, even if you paid me... but well maybe if the price were right.

The STi and Lancer are econo cars in my mind. What? No leather?


Gravel/dirt rally suspension is pretty soft. To that extent, there's more weight transfer ability fore and aft. If you have FF rallycar, it would not have at its disposal nearly the amount of traction an AWD car or even a RWD would have. Though overall in a rally, a FF would probably be a better choice than an FR.

Understeering is not a property unique to FF's; MR's, AWD's, FR's can all plow like pigs if not setup or engineered correctly.

Originally Posted by fast_typeR

are you calling a Subraru Impreza STi an econo car? Or countless Audis that are used as rally cars in the past?

Yes, it's an Impreza with a factory performance mods, the interior is the same as the 24k Impreza with minor cosmetic changes. Just because it cost $45+k doesn't not hide the fact that it originated as an econo box. If someone swapped a V8 into an Hyundai Accent and charged $40k for it, is it still not an econo box?

Originally Posted by Mr.Universe

Yes, it's an Impreza with a factory performance mods, the interior is the same as the 24k Impreza with minor cosmetic changes. Just because it cost $45+k doesn't not hide the fact that it originated as an econo box. If someone swapped a V8 into an Hyundai Accent and charged $40k for it, is it still not an econo box?

STi is Impreza with factory performance mods.... RIGHT!

lol search b4 you say such. They have diff engine, suspensions, pretty much everything except the body panels.

I dont know what to say but you clearly dont know anything about STi.

ps. somehow you related the term "economy box" to comestic looks of the car? You misunderstood econobox then lol

oh wait so EVO VIII is economy box then cause it looks like lancer!!! ROFLMA hahahhahaha

Originally Posted by MameXP

STi is Impreza with factory performance mods.... RIGHT!

lol search b4 you say such. They have diff engine, suspensions, pretty much everything except the body panels.

I dont know what to say but you clearly dont know anything about STi.

ps. somehow you related the term "economy box" to comestic looks of the car? You misunderstood econobox then lol

oh wait so EVO VIII is economy box then cause it looks like lancer!!! ROFLMA hahahhahaha

Yes, maybe I don't get the STi. Yes, I know it's about the driving experience, the handling, the power, etc, etc, etc. But at the end of the day, when you sit inside the car, it's has the same cheap interior as the regular Impreza - hard plastic, dated layout, faux aluminum trims. I like performance as much as the next guy but $45k for that interior, I just don't get it. For me cheap interior = econo regardless of performance.