Group Rally3

Group Rally3
Motor racing formula
Category	Rallying
Country/Region	International
Championships	WRC, Regional, National
Inaugural	2021
Status	Active
Drivetrain	Four Wheel Drive
Power to weight	5.6kg/hp
Aptitude	Access

Group Rally3 is a technical specification of rally car determined by the FIA. It features four-wheel drive and a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 5.6kg/hp. The class is used in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and regional championships. National rallying competitions also allow Group Rally3 cars to compete. There are three technical subclasses of Group Rally3 however these do not affect competitive eligibility so 'Rally3' may be used alone with the same definition. The group was launched in 2021 with the homologation of the first car after the introduction of the Rally Pyramid initiative to reorganise the classes of car and championships in international rallying was approved in June 2018.^[1]

The group was designed to be entry level and the cheapest way to go rallying with four-wheel drive, as existing options like Group Rally2 and Group Rally2-Kit were considered too expensive for some privateers, and too high performance for newcomers to 4WD cars.

Two-wheel-drive R3 cars from Group R were at level RC3 with the mentioned Rally2 and Rally2-Kit at level RC2 in the FIA's sporting classes. With the introduction of Rally3, R3 were reclassified to RC4.^[1]

Definition

Group Rally3 cars are defined in FIA document 'Appendix J - Article 260' as Touring Cars or Large Scale Series Production Cars, petrol engine, 4-wheel drive. A production touring car with at least 2500 identical units manufactured must be homologated in Group A, with all the components and changes that make it a Group Rally3 car homologated in an extension.^[2]

Cars have a 31mm air intake restrictor, a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 5.6kg/hp, and a rally-ready price cap of €100,000 plus taxes.^[3][1]

The subclasses are based on engine cylinder capacity in common with existing Group Rally4 classes, allowing for possibility of upgrade or sharing of many components with a Rally4 car.

Key Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally3^[2]

Class	Drivetrain	Minimum Weight	Engine Capacity	Aspiration	Fuel	Maximum Cylinders	Turbo Restrictor	Wheels Gravel	Wheels Asphalt	Production Requirement
Ra3B	4WD	1210 kg	1390-1600cc	Normal	Petrol	6	31mm	6"x15"	7"x17"	2500
			927-1067cc	Turbo
Ra3C			1600-2000cc	Normal
			1067-1333cc	Turbo
Ra3D			1333-1620cc	Turbo

FIA Competition

Rally3 cars are placed alone in FIA 'RC3' sporting class.^[4]

Eligibility in FIA WRC Championships 2023

Class	Group	WRC	M	T	WRC2	WRC3	Masters	Junior
RC3	Rally3

Eligibility in FIA Regional Championships 2023

Class	Group	ALL	ERC				ERT	ARC				MERC				APRC			NACAM			CODASUR
		Absolute	Teams	ERC3	ERC4	Jun	Jun	ARC2	ARC3	ARC4	Jun	MERC2	MERC3	MERC4	Jun	APRC3	APRC4	Jun	NAC3	NAC4	Jun	COD2	COD3	COD4
RC3	Rally3

Cars

Manufacturer	Car	Debut	Homologation Basis	Image
Ford	Fiesta Rally3[5]	2021	FIA - A5782 Fiesta ST (Fiesta Mk7) 1497cc Turbo
Renault	Clio Rally3[6][7]	2023	FIA - A5779 Clio R.S. Line (Clio V) 1,330 cc Turbo
Source: FIA Homologation List 2023[8]

See also

• Rally Pyramid
• Groups Rally
• Group Rally1
• Group Rally2
• Group Rally4
• Group Rally5
• Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile

References

1. "FIA Rally Car Pyramid Brochure February 2021" (PDF).
2. "Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally5/Rally4/Rally3" (PDF).
3. "FIA Rally Newsletter #4".
4. "FIA Regional Rally Sporting Regulations 2021" (PDF).
5. "FIESTA RALLY3". M-Sport. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
6. "Renault's Clio Rally3 almost ready to break cover". WRC - World Rally Championship. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
7. Barry, Luke (2023-04-25). "Renault Clio Rally3 passes FIA homologation". DirtFish. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
8. HOMOLOGATIONS LIST – 2023 (PDF). FIA.

External links

• Official website