2015 WRC RGT Championship

[Jim Garfield]

I'm surprised they don't go with a higher aspect ratio tire to get a little more cushion between the wheel and the ground. I know they are only doing tarmac rallies, but most of the roads are not in great condition.

More like this a/r:

[CurtEgerer]

Red Bull: The R-GT Cup Cars We Want to See in the WRC

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[Jim Garfield]

Makes you wonder how they would do if they didn't restrict the HP from 450 down to 325, and let them make the cars as light as they could .... I'm thinking they would be right there at the pointy end - at least on the tarmac stages.

[CurtEgerer]

Makes you wonder how they would do if they didn't restrict the HP from 450 down to 325, and let them make the cars as light as they could .... I'm thinking they would be right there at the pointy end - at least on the tarmac stages.

They're choked down on purpose, no question. But major suspension redesign would be needed to be competitive on gravel. And 15-inch gravel tires fitted. How cool would it be though to see a 911 GT3 on gravel at Finland getting air on the big rollers?

WRC's mass-market subcompact requirement is designed to attract major manufacturers and limit costs (i.e., all manufacturers use the same Xtrac 6-speed sequential gearbox, 15-inch wheels/tires (18" for tarmac rallies), etc.). Hard to argue their success: VW, Ford, Citroen, Hyundai, and Toyota (next year). You look at these cars and they're nearly as exotic as the Group B era, more so in many respects.
VW 2015 886x498px_vw-20150122-2497.jpg

[Jim Garfield]

But major suspension redesign would be needed to be competitive on gravel.

I'm thinking this wouldn't be a big deal for Prodrive or Tuthill.