The Australian Rally Championship will undergo a positive overhaul in 2002, with rule changes and improvements to the series predicted to boost the profile of rallying and increase the competition between existing and new manufacturers in the sport.

The most significant of these changes is the introduction of a ‘prototype’ category that will be competitive with Group N and will allow new and existing rally manufacturers freedom to build competitive outright rally cars. The ‘prototype’ category will have two sub-categories – four wheel drive and two wheel drive.

It is an exciting concept, which is endorsed by manufacturers including Subaru, Mitsubishi, Ford, Hyundai and Toyota, and it opens the door for all vehicle manufacturers to look at rallying as a viable platform to showcase their brand.

"The Championship is ready for its next big step forward. Phase One was the introduction of the Super Series concept, Phase Two the involvement of Network Ten and its commitment to regular television programming," Australian Rally Commission (ARCom) Chairman Garry Connelly explained, "and we’re now about to embark on Phase Three which will see more manufacturers, a more cohesive and marketable championship, and the potential for a fierce battle for outright victory."

The ‘prototype’ category will be introduced in 2002 and it is envisaged that a number of manufacturers will build and run cars for 2002, with increasing competition and interest in the category expected in 2003.

Whilst ARCom has not taken the step to ban World Rally Cars in 2002, ARCom has had discussions with Subaru and it is understood Subaru will commit to a Group N program for 2002 and will not to run a WRC car next season, ensuring that competition at the front of the championship will be thrilling. A formal announcement from Subaru will be made next Monday morning (17/12).

ARCom will closely control the development of the prototype concept, working with manufacturers to ensure parity of performance of new vehicles. Similarly, the new rules will ensure that competition between factory-supported drivers with Group N or prototype vehicles and privateer competitors is close and exciting.

"The prototype rules will mean that a manufacturer which does not have an homologated Group N car can now choose an affordable method of competing, on an outright basis, for the ARC. We have worked closely with a number of manufacturers to develop this concept.

"Those manufacturers believe that whereas the World Rally Car was beyond their resources, the ‘prototype’ concept will provide them with a way of accessing the ARC at an affordable price. In some cases these manufacturers may not have had a WRC car or even an homologated Group N car," Connelly said.

"We have also provided for the continuation of ‘PRC’ vehicles, but these will be restricted to genuine ‘privateers’ who are not on a list of ‘Priority’ drivers".

Other improvements to the championship include a system to decide the overall winner of a round in the event of a tie situation. It is hoped that there being one overall winner of each round will encourage media interest and simplify the reporting of event results to the media and spectators alike.

ARCom has also accepted the introduction of ‘dual status events’ to ensure that ARC rounds can continue to attract interest from state and historic competitors during the running of an ARC round by, for example, making all, or part of the event a round of the state championship.

Increased permit fees brought on by economic changes worldwide has prompted ARCom to make special considerations for state or historic competitors, who would normally compete in the ARC round but may have been put off by high entry fees. The new initiative will allow state events, run within an ARC event, to carry a lower entry fee.

ARC organisers are also pleased to have made moves toward a cohesive championship by adopting identical event standards for all rounds. The first and most significant of these changes will be the introduction of standard documentation at all ARC events. Other changes that will make team logistics easier for competitors will also be introduced.

Australian Rally Championship

Overview Of Recent Motions Passed For 2002 Championship

1) ARC Regulations Part 2 – Technical Regulations Article 1 (11-42) Rally Car Eligibility (11-51)

Amend the above regulations to allow ARCom to approve a vehicle which complies with the new "prototype" category (to be defined in a bulletin) to participate if entered by a manufacturer or team nominated by a manufacturer or vehicle importer or distributor. These vehicles will be eligible only for the Australian Rally Champion Driver/Co-Driver Championships in 2002 and for the Australian Rally Manufacturers’ Championship from 2003.

These vehicles may be either 4WD Prototypes built to be a Group N equivalent or 2WD Prototypes which will be allowed greater freedoms to allow them to increase their performance to be equal to the Group N vehicles..

2) ARC Regulations Part 1 – Sporting Regulations Article 1 (Section 3 Australian Rally Manufacturers’ Championship) Article 14.2 Awards (11-21)

Amend the above regulations so that:
(i) The Manufacturers’ Championship is open to any team nominated by a manufacturer, vehicle importer or distributor
(ii) The Manufacturers’ Championship will comprise of eight rallies, being those in the Super Series plus the Rally of Canberra and Rally Australia. The best six results will count.
(iii) Each Manufacturer may nominate three vehicles per event of which the highest scoring two vehicles will be counted. Places gained by non eligible vehicles and those additional vehicles nominated by a Manufacturer but not being counted will be disregarded and the which would have been awarded will then be allocated to the next eligible vehicle.
(iv) Nomination of vehicles must take place by close of entries

This will restrict the Manufacturers’ Championship to only those manufacturers supporting rallying in Australia and by allowing points to be scored by only two vehicles from each manufacturer should ensure a very competitive championship. Prototypes would be allowed to score points for the relevant manufacturer from 2003.

3) ARC Regulations Part 1 – Sporting Regulations Article 4 Crew (11-22)

Amend the above regulation so that ARCom may establish a list of Priority Drivers who may drive in a round of the Super Series in a Group N or Prototype vehicle. This list will consist of drivers who ARCom considers at its discretion should not drive Production Rally Cars. It will include any driver who has previously been an outright Australian Champion driver.

This will ensure that a PRC or Group A vehicle cannot be entered by one singular driver who will then dominate the series to the detriment of the manufacturers who have entered Group N or equivalent performance vehicles.

4) ARC Regulations Part 1 – Sporting Regulations Article 14.1 Australian Rally Champion Driver and Co-Driver (11-31)

Amend the above regulation to also allocate 1 additional point to the Driver & Co-Driver with the most stage wins over all of the stages of each event. If the number of wins is equal then the fastest time obtained on the first special stage (not being a Super Special) will used to break the tie, if this time is equal the subsequent stages will be taken into account until the tie is broken.

This will ensure that there will be a winner for the event and is important to the media perception of the ARC..

5) ARC Regulations Part 3 – Conditions and Requirements of Organisation

Amend the above regulation so that the total amount Organisers may impose as a financial penalty on competitors who elect not to display Event sponsors’ signage on their cars is $220 incl. GST per sponsor or $660 in total.

Currently the amount specified may not be more than $110 per sponsor, or more than $330 in total. Given increases in entry fees this year and again next year the Organisers believe that the suggested fee is in line with the entry fees to apply for 2002.

6) ARC Regulations Part 1 – Sporting Regulations Article 2 Advertising (11-21)

Amend the above regulation so that each car entered in a round of the Super Series is be required to provide an area 10cm x 10cm at the top of the windscreen on the co-drivers side which may be used for a competition number.

The Organisers believe this will help greatly in identifying cars at SOS points for safety reasons and will also assist at controls in determining which cars are left-hand drive.

7) ARC Regulations Part 1 – Sporting Regulations Article 17.3 Bulletins (11-33)

Amend the above regulation so that the Organisers may issue Bulletins, which relate only to the itinerary and route, without the need for approval. Any such Bulletins must be drawn to the attention of the Stewards at the earliest possible time.

Conforms with standard international practice.

8) ARC Regulations Part 1 – Sporting Regulations Article 13.1 Dual Status Events (11-31)

Delete the above regulation so that all competitors in each Super Series event are not required to compete in the ARC component.

Given the great difference in entry fees between ARC level and State level the Organisers wish to be able to make special arrangements if necessary to ensure a sufficient number of entries.

Note:
(I) Items 1 to 4 are as a result of discussions at the ARC Working Group, with 1,2, and 4 being unanimously supported by the working group. This group has been recently been revised with regard to its composition, and now includes representatives from ARCom, the ARC organisers, the manufacturers, and the host broadcaster
(ii) Items 5 to 8 came from the forum
(iii) All CAMS Manual page references relate to the 2001 edition

Working on the concept that all categories in the ARC should be capable of winning outright without any one being dominant, the eligibility rules for each category would then be critical to obtaining parity.

a. FIA Group N (unchanged – as per FIA rules)
b. Group 3 PRC
c. Prototype 2WD
d. Prototype 4WD

PROTOTYPE 2WD

A manufacturer or manufacturer’s representing agent who imports a make into Australia may choose any model from their range, provided that model has been produced with a minimum production of 2500 cars world-wide.

The model will be required to be recognised by CAMS. The manufacturer or agent must submit the paperwork required for recognition on the form provided by CAMS, and must also supply to ARCom a detailed plan of the vehicle to be built in compliance with the regulations for this category. Approval in principle must be obtained from ARCom before any production work is started.

Recognition in this category is not available to any manufacturer with a 2 litre turbo-charged 4WD Group N rally car with current FIA homologation.

When the first vehicle is produced, the recognition documents will be examined and if "approved" the vehicle will be formally "recognised" and approved for competition. CAMS will charge a fee for recognition.

Any alterations to the original plan must be presented for approval by the Rally Technical Committee. If approved they will be incorporated in the recognition document for that vehicle.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

1 All major components nominated for the Prototype vehicle must be detailed and recognised by CAMS.

2 The use of titanium is completely forbidden.

3 From 1 January 2004 the manufacturer or agent must make the basic vehicle available in kit form for sale to other ARC competitors. These vehicles will not, at least in the short term, be approved for use in events other than the ARC Super Series.

The manufacturer or its nominated agent must manufacture and provide the following;

a. rolling bodyshell with fully integral roll cage including all engine-transmission and suspension mounting points as per the recognition form, and

b. all bodywork panels required to complete the vehicle in accordance with the recognition form.

The manufacturer must also provide a detailed list of suppliers of all other main recognised parts (engine – transmission – suspension – brakes – steering – composite parts, etc).

4 The use of composite material (e.g. carbon-fibre) in any non-stressed components is free, but must be nominated in the recognition document.

BODYWORK - BODYSHELL

1. The bodyshell and doors must be original shape and material as used in the production vehicle, without the removal of any material (unless permitted within these rules).

2 All other bodywork such as bonnet, boot, fenders, bumper faces, etc must be the original shape; but material is free provided the components are made available by the manufacturer or agent at the same retail cost as the original panels.

3 Any aero kit, front or rear, must comply with the guidelines laid down by the FIA for World Rally Cars, and must be available at a realistic cost, as could be reproduced by a recognised composite manufacturer. The aero kit for each manufacturer must come from a nominated supplier, to be stated on the recognition documents.

4 All glass areas, windscreens and door windows must be original and operational.

5 Roof vents are permitted in accordance with Rule 3.11 of the regulation for PRC (Page 11.57).

6 Wheel-arch-opening flairs may be modified as required to cover the wheel after the allowable wheel and track changes permitted within these rules are made.

7 Alterations to the floor pan and inner wheel housing may be made, but only to the absolute minimum required to achieve the fitment of engine-transmission- suspension components.

ENGINE BAY

1 The direction of the engine may be changed from east-west to north-south or vice versa.

2 Engines must fit into the original engine bay without the removal of any main structural material.

3 Any modifications required to the bulkhead firewall must be kept to the absolute minimum.

COCKPIT

See Group A Rules 5.7.3 thru to 5.7.4 (page 11-66)

ENGINE

1 The engine block and cylinder head(s) must be from a production vehicle of the vehicle manufacturer.

2 All other engine parts and/or modifications are free except for the following.

3 Maximum number of cylinders must be the same as fitted to the vehicle model by the manufacturer.

4 Induction can be natural or forced.

5 The number of camshafts and valves may not be changed from the number fitted to the vehicle model.

6 The flywheel and clutch assembly are free provided the clutch does not use carbon-fibre parts.

7 Any supercharged/turbocharged engine must be fitted with a restrictor as specified in the rules for Group A, however the diameter of this restrictor will be determined by the Rally Technical Committee. Refer to Article 5.1.8.3 of the FIA Group A regulations. (Page 11.61)

8 Supercharging/turbocharging boost pressure is free.

TRANSMISSION

The original trans-mission, including gearbox, transfer case, differential, drive shafts, tailshafts and joints are completely free, provided their operation is not made active by way of hydraulics and/or electrics.

The only controlling factors are as follows.

a. Maximum of 5 forward speeds.

b. Must be recognised by CAMS.

c. The Rally Technical Committee will require pricing on the above parts, as it is not intended to allow costly hybrid parts such as X-trac or simular.

d. It is permitted to change the location of the driven axle from front to rear, or vice versa.

SUSPENSION

The original design type of suspension must be retained (MacPherson Strut, top and bottom arms etc), otherwise the suspension is free provided it complied with the following.

a. Total side-to-side maximum track increase - 60mm.

b. Total wheel base +/-25mm

WHEELS AND TYRES

See Rule 3.6, of the regulations for PRC, (page 11.56).

FUEL TANK

See Rule 5.9 of the regulations for Group A, (page 11.68). A minimum capacity of 75 litres is required.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

See Rule 5.8 of the regulations for Group A, (page 11.67).

WEIGHT

Free.

EXHAUST SYSTEM

a. Must exit at the rear of the vehicle.

b. Must be fitted with a muffler as nominated in the requirements for all rally cars. See Schedule R (page 11.49), Item 7.

UNDERBODY PROTECTION

See Group A Rule 5.7.2.10 (page 11.66).

Note: The use of underbody protection for the floor pan is free provided it follows the basic shape of the original material.

All other parts are totally free provided they are detailed and submitted for recognition, e.g. braking system – steering – intercooler – instrumentation – data recording – water radiators – fans – air induction system – nuts – bolts – washers – jacking points.

PROTOTYPE 4WD

A manufacturer or manufacturer’s representing agent which imports a make into Australia may choose any model from its world-wide range provided that model has been produced with a minimum production of 2500 cars world-wide.

The model will be required to be recognised by CAMS. The manufacturer or agent must submit the paperwork required for recognition on the form provided by CAMS, and must also supply to ARCom a detailed plan of the vehicle to be built in compliance with the regulations for this category. Approval in principle must be obtained from CAMS before any production work is started.

Recognition in this category is not available to any manufacturer with a 2 litre turbo-charged 4wd Group N rally car with current FIA homologation.

Any alterations to the original plan must be presented for approval by the Rally Technical Committee. If approved they will be incorporated in the recognition document for that vehicle.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. At all times it is critical to make all efforts to maintain parity of performance (speed, acceleration, Braking and cornering) on gravel between the intended prototype vehicle and the current leaders in the Group N Category, Subaru and Mitsubishi.

2. The manufacturer or agent may choose one of the following options and then add to that choice the items listed that are compulsory to be used from the donor vehicle when building the Prototype. See Appendix A.

OPTION 1

Select any 2.0 litre (maximum) engine in their range and then source parts from any of their own world cars to convert the vehicle into a Prototype 4WD Group N. Then add components in accordance with Appendix A.

OPTION 2

Select any 2.0 litre (maximum) engine in their range and then select a transmission in total (the drive-train less the engine) from a Subaru or Mitsubishi. Then add components in accordance with Appendix A.

OPTION 3

Select a complete engine (2.0 litre maximum) and transmission (ie a complete drive-train) from a Subaru or Mitsubishi. Then add components in accordance with Appendix A.

Appendix A

COMPULSORY COMPONENTS & SIZES

The use of the following components and sizes from the selected donor vehicle is compulsory in the building of a Prototype 4WD vehicle.

Components

a. Turbocharger complete including the wastegate actuator and the exhaust housing.

b. Intercooler radiator.

c. Air Intake system complete including hose, airbox, filter.

d. Engine oil cooler.

e. Clutch pressure plate.

f. Brake callipers front and rear.

g. Brake discs front and rear.

h. The actual ratios of the gearbox and differentials must be the same as the selected donor vehicle Subaru or Mitsubishi. The gears can be manufactured aftermarket provided they fit into the original housing in accordance with the current Group N rules. (This allows a dog box).

Note All the parts used to build the Prototype must be from the same donor vehicle selected (Subaru or Mitsubishi). It is not permitted to pick and choose from both vehicles.

SIZES

The following items must be the same size as fitted by the manufacturer to the selected donor vehicle:

a. Front engine exhaust pipe, from turbo housing to the first joint.

b. The internal sizes of the throttle body and butterfly.

c. Intercooler pipes size and basic design.

d. Minimum vehicle weight. BODYWORK - BODYSHELL

1. The bodyshell and bodywork panels must be original in every way.

Front and rear aerodynamic components can only be used if available from the manufacturer as original or optional equipment.

2. The absolute minimum of modification required to allow fitment of the authorised parts from the donor vehicle to the bodyshell is permitted. These modifications must be clearly detailed in the vehicle build plan presented to ARCom.

OTHER PARITY PARTS

All other items that may need to be changed will need to be detailed and homologated through the recognition document, taking the following into account.

1. Steering rack must be original type and ratio, and not a special fast rack.

2. Water radiators must not have a capacity greater than the donor vehicle.

3. Drive shafts and C.V. Joints are free.

4. Wheel bearing hubs must come from donor vehicle.

5. Tailshafts and support bearings must have the same overall weight as on the donor vehicle.

6. The vehicle must utilise the same number of electric fans as the donor vehicle.

7. Exhaust systems must comply with Group N regulations from the first joint to rear of vehicle. (2.5 inch maximum outside diameter tube).

8. The minimum permitted fuel tank capacity is 75 litres.

ALL OTHER AREAS OF PREPARATION

In all other areas of preparation refer to the FIA Group N Rules together with the CAMS Safety items and Schedule R (Page 11.48). Wheels – fuel tanks – electrical – passenger space – reinforcements – exterior – braking – seats – belts etc.

GROUP 3C PRC (INCLUDING GROUP A)

1. Pointscore

Group 3C PRC vehicles are not eligible to gain points towards the Manufacturers Championship.

2. Privateers

Entrants and crew in a Group 3C PRC vehicle must be clearly privateers.

3. Eligibility

Any genuine privateer competitor who has in good faith prepared a Group 3C PRC vehicle and is not listed in the top 10 Australian resident ARC seeded drivers at the start of the Series will be permitted to compete in Group 3C PRC category for that year.