Four Class Structure - CARS Bulletin 2012-05 now online
Posted by Morison
Banned Professional Moderator Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: 03/27/2009 Age: Ancient Posts: 1,798 Rally Car: (ex)86 RX-7(built), (ex)2.5RS (bought) |
Posted today to the CARS website:
BULLETIN No.: 2012 – 05 Subject: National Rally Rule changes effective January 1, 2013 Issue Date: September 3, 2012 As many in the sport are aware, CARS embarked on a project several years ago to look into our current vehicle class structure. A committee, headed by past CARS president, Jorge Dascollas, and comprised of competitors, builders, organizers and officials was formed to complete the work. The main underlying concerns identified by the committee include low entry in many of the current classes, as well as the ever-increasing cost of competition, particularly in Open class. The committee looked into the reasons behind this and determined that the complexity and restrictions, most notably in the production classes, was a significant factor. The basic concept behind the new rules is to remove many of these restrictions and simplify the ability to build affordable cars for competition. In late 2011, the committee presented the final report and recommendations to the CARS Board of Directors. Formal discussions on adopting the class changes took place at the January 2011 meetings in Kelowna, and subsequently by several conference calls. After a lengthy process, we are now at the stage of implementing the new class structure into Canadian National Rules. Beginning in January 2013, national competitions will now be based on the four classes. They are Open 4WD, Open 2WD and Production 4WD and Production 2WD. Details of the specific rule changes are attached to this bulletin, but to summarize the changes; Open 4WD - 2500cc maximum engine displacement - 34 mm turbo restrictor - 2900 pounds minimum weight - No other significant changes to the rules - Note. The Board is considering a reduction of the turbocharger restrictor to 32mm beginning in 2014. Open 2WD - 2500cc maximum displacement for normally aspirated engines - 2000cc maximum displacement for turbocharged engines - 32 mm restrictor for turbocharged engines - No other significant changes from Group 2 rules Production 4WD - 2500cc maximum displacement for normally aspirated engines and turbo charged engines - 32 mm restrictor for turbocharged engines - 3350lb minimum weight - Variant restrictions removed. Updating and backdating of parts from models sold in North America allowed. - Various other minor changes to simplify and reduce build costs Production 2WD - 2500cc maximum displacement - Turbocharged engines not allowed. - No minimum weight - No updating or backdating of parts allowed. - Various other minor changes to simplify and reduce build costs The Board recognizes that a small number of cars currently competing will no longer fit within the rules, and a considerable amount of time was spent discussing options to minimize the impact to current competitors. The 2WD changes are significant for the future growth of the sport and there is no simple way to amalgamate large displacement engine, 2WD cars while keeping the playing field level. In the end, the difficult decision was made to move forward with the rule changes as outlined, and allow regions the option of keeping large displacement 2WD vehicles within their rules. The CARS Board hopes these changes will help promote increased competition in the Canadian Rally Championship. First, the Board believes the changes to the production rules will significantly lower the cost of competing in this class, while also making cars more reliable. Second, the Board also sees 2WD as a growth area for the future. A number of vehicles are now on the market that can be both competitive and cost effective in this class, and our Marketing Director, Keith Morison, has also been working to secure sponsorship as well as contingency programs targeted at 2WD competitors. As always, the CARS Board of Directors would like to hear from you. Comments and concerns over these changes can be addressed to any of the Region Directors, the Competitors or Organizers Representative, the Technical Director, or myself. Sincerely, Tom McGeer, President, Canadian Association of Rallysport Link to the full bulletin is available from the article on the front page at www.CARSRally.ca First Rally: 2001 Driver (7), Co-Driver (44) Drivers (16) Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4) Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0) Last Updated, January 4, 2015 
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2012 05:00PM by Morison. |
Sean Medcroft Ultra Moderator Location: Edmonds, Washington Join Date: 02/12/2009 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,802 Rally Car: Building a Merkur |
A.J. Johnson Infallible Moderator Location: Pendleton OR Join Date: 01/07/2011 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 1,381 Rally Car: 88 Audi 80 |
Andrew Frick Junior Moderator Location: Greenville, SC Join Date: 05/18/2007 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 684 Rally Car: Rally Spec Ford Focus |
Banned Professional Moderator Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: 03/27/2009 Age: Ancient Posts: 1,798 Rally Car: (ex)86 RX-7(built), (ex)2.5RS (bought) |
Understand that Group 5 never really took off in Canada (and arguably not in the US, but I won't take a strong stand there) and the Group 5 cars that have shown up generally haven't been competitive (I know, it's not the car that makes the difference in North America) as in they've typically been slower than cheaper and more reliable Gr2 cars. (Or plagued by DNFs)
More importantly, the rules were developed by a committe that included representation from the spectrum of competitors and builders and they took something like three years to get to this. Also worth noting is that Regional championships can run their own classifications so you may still see unrestricted Gr5 at Big White or the regional portions of CRC events in the west. I don't think RallyWest or RPM have considered how they are going to handle regional class structure. (adoption of the national classes is easy, but might not be the right thing for the region) First Rally: 2001 Driver (7), Co-Driver (44) Drivers (16) Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4) Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0) Last Updated, January 4, 2015
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2012 02:42PM by Morison. |
Banned Professional Moderator Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: 03/27/2009 Age: Ancient Posts: 1,798 Rally Car: (ex)86 RX-7(built), (ex)2.5RS (bought) |
only if you felt the need to turbocharge them. I don't think most of the BMWs are being turbo'ed are they? First Rally: 2001 Driver (7), Co-Driver (44) Drivers (16) Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4) Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0) Last Updated, January 4, 2015
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Chris Martin Mega Moderator Location: Toronto, Ontario Join Date: 01/15/2006 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 567 Rally Car: E-85 powered Impreza |
Chris Martin Mega Moderator Location: Toronto, Ontario Join Date: 01/15/2006 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 567 Rally Car: E-85 powered Impreza |
Patrick Darrow Godlike Moderator Location: Portland OR Join Date: 12/30/2006 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 379 Rally Car: Swedish John Deere |
Banned Mod Moderator Location: the end of the universe Join Date: 02/12/2006 Age: Ancient Posts: 1,432 Rally Car: 1980 Opel Ascona B |
Banned Professional Moderator Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: 03/27/2009 Age: Ancient Posts: 1,798 Rally Car: (ex)86 RX-7(built), (ex)2.5RS (bought) |
If I were a betting man - I'd say there is a reasonably good chance of G2/G5 remaining as they are now in the regional championship. First Rally: 2001 Driver (7), Co-Driver (44) Drivers (16) Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4) Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0) Last Updated, January 4, 2015
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Banned Professional Moderator Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: 03/27/2009 Age: Ancient Posts: 1,798 Rally Car: (ex)86 RX-7(built), (ex)2.5RS (bought) |
Make sure you communicate your (well thought out) opinions to your region rally director (Ray) and competitor representitve (Bruno.) At ANY time these guys should both be available to you for information and for your feedback. Among the motovators today is looking for a way to slow down the cars. Several events are seeing cars break 120 average, some are seeing 132 being broken. A smaller restrictor was on the table for 2013 but it was felt to be too late. (and would ideally be done in conjunction with at least RA if not NRS as well.) A spec fuel was also discussed as an option for slowing down the cars but 'pump gas' was discounted as being too variable from station to station, let alone from brand to brand. You'd be best asking Ray/Bruno directly about fuel and where things stand. First Rally: 2001 Driver (7), Co-Driver (44) Drivers (16) Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4) Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0) Last Updated, January 4, 2015
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Banned Professional Moderator Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: 03/27/2009 Age: Ancient Posts: 1,798 Rally Car: (ex)86 RX-7(built), (ex)2.5RS (bought) |
Yes First Rally: 2001 Driver (7), Co-Driver (44) Drivers (16) Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4) Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0) Last Updated, January 4, 2015
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Dave Kern Godlike Moderator Location: Centennial Join Date: 07/11/2008 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 1,085 Rally Car: Compact M3 & Evo IX |
John Vanlandingham Super Moderator Location: Ford Asylum, Sleezattle, WA Join Date: 12/20/2005 Age: Fossilized Posts: 14,152 Rally Car: Saab 96 V4 |
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