FIA introduces Rally6 class: rallying at a competitive price

The FIA is targeting the high entry costs in rallying. With the new Rally6 category, the world motorsport governing body is creating a class of cars that deliberately avoids expensive specialist technology. Rather than increasingly complex designs, the regulations focus on simple, robust and, as far as possible, cost-effective solutions.

France serves as a model. There, the national motorsport federation, the FFSA, has already laid the foundations for an affordable rally class with entry-level models based on the Peugeot 208, Opel Corsa, Lancia Ypsilon and Renault Clio through its FR6 regulations. The FIA is adopting key technical specifications and applying the concept at an international level.

FIA-Pyramide des Rallyesports

Foto: FIA

Technically, Rally6 is based on a straightforward concept. Four-seater production cars with two-wheel drive are permitted. Under the bonnet are turbocharged engines with a maximum capacity of 1.6 litres or naturally aspirated engines with a capacity of up to 2.0 litres. The target power-to-weight ratio is 7.5 kilograms per PS. With a kerb weight of 1,050 kilograms, this corresponds to an engine output of 140 PS. The focus is therefore not on maximum power, but on affordable competition.

The FIA has also set clear cost limits for the other components. Production-spec brakes and tyres are intended to reduce costs, as are conventional manual gearboxes with an H-pattern shift. Added to this are non-adjustable competition shock absorbers, which are intended to eliminate the need for complex set-up work and expensive specialist solutions.

No corners are cut when it comes to safety, however. The prescribed standards – particularly for the chassis and safety cell – are modelled on those of the significantly more sophisticated Rally5 and Rally4 cars. With official FIA homologation, Rally6 now has a uniform technical foundation. This makes the class attractive not only to private drivers and teams, but also to manufacturers and national motorsport federations.

Rally6-Opel in Aktion

Foto: Stellantis

On this basis, they can develop their own one-make cups, junior series and grassroots programmes without having to create different sets of technical regulations. The ADAC is leading the way with the ADAC Junior Cup, which is being held for the first time this season featuring the Opel Corsa Rally6. To keep running costs as low as possible, road-legal tyres on steel rims are mandatory.

However, the FIA is not limiting itself to the introduction of a new vehicle class. In parallel, the world governing body has decided on a comprehensive overhaul of the regulations for national rally championships. Sporting and organisational procedures are to be simplified and standardised more closely at an international level.

According to the FIA, this is the most extensive reform of these regulations in nearly ten years. With Rally6, the FIA is sending a clear message: getting started in rallying should once again become more affordable.