Beating the Clock

Rallying.

A form of motorsport respected all across the world. It involves race-spec street cars ripping through forests, over mountains, across desserts, and in snow in a race against the clock. The Professional level of this sport is called The World Rally Championship, or the WRC. This series takes the best rally drivers in the world to the most difficult roads in the world, in an all out battle against the clock, and overall, against each other.

The cars usually average over 80mph on the most difficult roads in the world, but that speed is about to get higher. All Rally cars are mandated by the governing body of the WRC. The cars are only allowed to produce a certain amount of power, and a certain amount of downforce. This limits the speed, and regulates the safety of the sport.

For the 2017 WRC Season, the limits on power and downforce is being loosened. The cars will now be able to produce up to 380bhp (Up from 320), and will be allowed to be 55cm wider. This leaves more space for more wing, adding more downforce, making the car go faster. On top of this, cars will also be 25 kg (about 55lbs) lighter, again, increasing speed.

The Difference

The difference is seriously noticeable. Through 9 tests that the Citroen WRC Team has conducted so far, the cars are about 5 seconds faster per mile.

With this new speed, comes increasing concern in the safety of the sport. The cars today are already drifting and jumping at dangerous speeds  on roads only as wide as the cars themselves are long.

One thing is for sure, the 2017 WRC season will be something to see.

Writer: Pat Wilkinson

wrc.com