CARS Bulletin 2012-05 on vehicle classes

[morrow]

A CARS Bulletin on vehicle classes has just been released.

As of January 1, 2013, national competitions will be based on four classes:.
- Open 4WD
- Open 2WD
- Production 4WD
- Production 2WD

The changes are summarized as:

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

You can get all the details here: http://www.carsrally.ca/index.php?optio ... 14&lang=en

Jeannie

[morrow]

Rallyists are already discussing this on the MLRC forum, so read up here: http://www.mlrc.ca/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1347065582

Jeannie

[martin]

I've been reading discussions on several discussions forums... I commented on Special Stage that we'd "live with it" (adding the restrictor), that was until I discovered the cost that entailed.

Basically I'm all for combinging G2 and G5, in fact we always measure oursleves against all 2WD cars. We sometime, but not often win 2WD outright, but usually G2 cars are faster than us... although all too often more delicate. I say go ahead and combine G2 and G5, but why the need to cripple G5? Why make Canadian rules so different from the US that you basically eliminate G5 cars from cross border competetion? Why force us to spend significant money so that we can continue to do 1 or 2 national rallies per year?
This goes against two of the stated goals: trying to make competing cheaper; and trying to attract more entries. It's ceratinly not cheaper for us to make a whol bunch of mods to our car to be allowed to continue entering national events. And if we don't they loose entries, not gain. Banning US G5 cars from competing - none will have restrictors, many are over 2liter - will lose entries at Tall Pines for sure, probably BDC as well.

The new 2WD open rules are a solution looking for a problem that doesn't exist. There's a saying, "if it aint broke, don't fix it" that seems pretty fitting here.
The justification I see/read is "trying to attract manufacturers"...
Yet I read the following in the CARS Board Meeting minutes:
May 2012 –
"No new progress or status change with the major manufacturer discussions and no changes expected in the near future."

Feb 2012 –
"The discussions with another manufacturer are continuing and seem to be still interested but there is still a long way to go before any full agreement is reached.
Discussions with several other manufacturers are not making any progress as these manufacturers seem to be showing little interest in the sport at present."

Presuming these references are related to trying to attract manufacturers to 2WD... we're changing the rules to make things attractive to ONE manufacturer that "seems" to be still interested... yet at the same time we're pushing away individuals, enthusiasts, who already have a lot of blood sweat and tears invested in Canadian rally, and have been regular competitors for 7 years. Where's the sense in that?

Ferdinand and I will be submitting a formal, well thought out, response to the new rules to CARS, this is just me venting.

-Martin.

[racerboy000]

Well said Martin, This should be sent to the cars board.
I

[DCotie]

I decided to get of my butt and e-mail CARS. I think there are a number of us that should get active and support what we want. Just because I don't rally, doesn't mean I am not a stakeholder. I spend hundreds of dollars and a fair chunk of time working at rallies and I think many of us should express our views. Here is what I just sent.

Dear CARS Board:

Although I am not an active competitor, I am a long time volunteer and I have an interest in the new rules. I congratulate you for taking the brave step of going to 4 classes from the current class structure.

I do however think that there may be ways to reduce costs and allow some existing vehicles to remain capable of running in the national series.

Suggestion: Alter displacement limits and restrictor requirements in 2WD Open

Rationale: Displacement limits that are slightly different would be more inclusive of existing cars in the class that although are not numerous, would remin capable of running in the national series. My suggestion is to alter the limits to 3.0L NA and 2.5L turbo/supercharged. This would allow cars such as Volvo turbos and Dodge SRT-4s to remain in the national series and increase the number of vehicles that are able to compete, considering that empirical evidence shows that traction is limiting factor in 2wd rallying. If a vehicle shows up that is exceptionally dominating in this class this rule could be revisited. This rule also will have a negative effect on vehicles at the regional level as most competitors build their cars more closely to a national level class than a regional. I think that adding restrictors to turbo/supercharged cars will simply reduce fields, as US competitors will simply not come, and increase the cost to former G5 competitors. Again traction limits play out here. Well driven 2wd cars rise to the top regardless of engine power (see Frank Sprongl in a Suzuki).

Suggestion: Allow turbochargers on engines up to 1.6L in Production 2WD

Rationale: Gives a class for the new breed of small displacement turbocharged cars. These are an emerging potential class Mini's, Fiat 500's, Chevrolet Cruze, Dodge Dart all would be allowed and if there were ANY chance of additional manufacturer involvent (other than Subaru and Misubishi), this in my opinion would be one of the most likely options.

Suggestion: Alter minimum weight in production 4WD to manufacturer advertised curb weight

Rationale: Production class has limitations on what is allowed and if I recall correctly already requires competitors to bring a Factory Service manual (or similar document) to registration. This would allow a larger number of vehicles a chance to compete. A Subaru 2.5RS (GC8) might have a chance against a Subaru WRX (GD chassis) if it can run at its curb weight, but not if it has to run the same weight as the turbo car. It also allows older AWD cars to remain competitive (DSM's, Toyota) and I know these are rare, but some do remain.

David Cotie
Tall Pines volunteer since 2000
(and a few other rallies too!)

[manotickmike]