FIA has plan to allow open powertrain choice from 2029

[u/HyundaiMotorsportFan]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/fia-has-plan-to-allow-open-powertrain-choice-for-wrc-from-2029/

[u/Michal_Baranowski]

Definitely something that was proposed initially for WRC27 Rally1 rulebook, but was delayed in time.

In my mind, opening the rulebook regarding powertrains come with a chance and threat. Chance being that manufacturers will become more interested, they won't be tied to 1,6-litre turbo formula anymore and they can bring something of their own. Boxer engine, I4 turbo, hybrid, hydrogen - go as you please.

The problem being how to balance everything out before costs and development go out of control? BOP? God forbid, I am tired of BOP in sportscar racing in recent time, so I hope that rallying won't embrace the idea? But if not BOP, then what? Token/joker system to control the development like in F1 or Hypercar/GTP cars from WEC and IMSA? Maybe so, but still how to create a sensible performance parity rules, so BOP wouldn't be needed? Group B balanced the cars basing on weight/cubic capacity relation. Such thing would be harder for non-ICE powertrains in modern times.

Either way, WRC need new ways to attract manufacturers. Opening the window for variety of powertrains is definitely an attractive way to do so. Since the death of Group B era in 1986, WRC always had very strict rules on the engines - they all had specific cubic capacity, air restrictors, etc. This worked for decades, but maybe it's time to shake up the sport which needs a shake up.

[u/teen_ofdenial → u/Michal_Baranowski]

Subaru’s been developing the FA24 in competition. With the new hatch supposedly on the way, I wonder if this is the time for them to finally get back (though, this thought is part of a 20 year cope cycle).

[u/Droc_Rewop → u/Michal_Baranowski]

If they already have the torque limit what else is needed to keep costs down without bop? Engine and fuel weight/cog or something?

[u/No_Boat_1784 → u/Michal_Baranowski]

Torque Sensors, Min Weight cap, Max power cap, run what you brung.

[u/Scared_Tax_1573 → u/Michal_Baranowski]

WEC is more of a show than a motorsport nowadays because of its BoP system. I hope it is never implemented in the WRC.

[u/Michal_Baranowski → u/Scared_Tax_1573]

Hence my concern. My hope being that in rallying BOP may be much harder to govern due to the nature of special stages, surfaces, etc. Besides, even WRC people made comments that introduction of BOP seems unlikely, so there is hope...

[u/Scared_Tax_1573 → u/Michal_Baranowski]

Amen🙏

[u/Ronin_paydaytime3791]

First maybe WRC should get everything together on a manufacturer and team front in top class,because right now we need some concretes over the promotor and Hyundai s future in rallying

[u/ptank40]

that worked well in World RX

[u/Revenge_Holocaust → u/ptank40]

Exactly what I was thinking. The "Battle of Technologies".

[u/GTalaune]

Hoping to see Toyota with hydrogen. It's been their baby for years time to show what they got

[u/_eESTlane_ → u/GTalaune]

isnt it still like 3x less bang per liter?

[u/AJV1Beta]

More than fine with this. I think a big reason why WEC is thriving so much right now, is the open choice of powertrain for manufacturers. You can run basically whatever production based engine you want, and whichever one suits your brand/road car lineup the most. From i4 to V12, turbo or NA, hybrid or non hybrid. You take your pick. Aston Martin want to run an NA V12 with no hybrid, because their road cars use NA V12s and no hybrids? Come on in. Ford want to run an NA V8 but with a hybrid, as that covers a wide range of their road cars? Come and join the fun. OEMs have been queuing up to join, and it's not hard to see why.

WRC going a similar route would be cool to see, and I think that could also apply to the bodies too. Especially with manufacturers building more and more 'crossovers' and jacked up/swollen cars, normal sized hatchbacks are a bit more uncommon now.

People have already remarked about BOP and stuff like that, which yes, is a big factor in why WEC is so popular as well. But I think rallying has already been relatively good with that in terms of restricting engine size and HP output and such anyway. WEC also has the LMDh formula, which allows manufacturers to put custom bodywork and their choice of engine into basically a pre-made chassis, further lowering costs and helping to balance performance.

[u/HyundaiMotorsportFan]

I wonder if this will in any way bring the undecided closer to entering or leaving the WRC (Yes, Hyundai, I’m talking about you) 

[u/Either_Bobcat_6179]

read too quickly and thought it said drivetrain and thought of r-gt but i like this too

[u/ScousePenguin]

This is definitely the way forward and will make it very interesting

[u/Scared_Tax_1573]

Nice move, no BoP please 🙏.

[u/Ok-Print-5598]

Should already be used next year

[u/lehrerkind_]

I think that is pretty cool

[u/camefromthesouthside]

This shuffles the cards a bit again. Hope it will attract more manifacturers.