Rallying is heading towards a crossroads as the FIA ascertains the long-term method of propulsion that will ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for the discipline.
Top-level rallying has already taken its first steps in electrification through the introduction of the Rally1 hybrid regulations to the World Rally Championship last year. The FIA is currently devising its next set of WRC regulations, with hybrid power expected to continue from 2025 before a more seismic change in 2028.
Multiple options are under consideration – as FIA rally director Andrew Wheatley says, “We’re not ruling anything out”. A new demonstration class is in development that will allow manufacturers and teams to pursue alternative propulsion methods.
One of these could be fully electric, which is becoming increasingly prevalent in the rally world – a point reflected by the FIA adding new Rally5e regulations to its pyramid last year. This development, following positive manufacturer feedback on the first all-electric one-make rally series introduced by the ADAC in 2021, suggests an EV-powered future is no pipe dream.
Based around the 100kW two-wheel-drive Opel Corsa-e Rally car, the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup embarked on its third season earlier this month and has an eight-round calendar that includes the WRC’s Central European Rally in October. The events feature approximately 130km (80 miles) of competitive stages, and this year the field has grown to 14 entries. Last year’s champion Laurent Pellier was propelled into the Junior WRC for 2023, and last month Opel underlined its commitment by extending its deal with the ADAC until the end of 2024.
Opel is among a group of marques keen to explore EV rallying. The FIA expects several manufacturers to produce cars that can be adopted for Rally5e regulations, split into two divisions, above and below the 60kW battery capacity. The cars largely based on the production-spec derivatives will feature a stock motor, inverter and battery. The category is expected to mirror the performance of the current Rally5 combustion two-wheel-drive class. The first hot hatch vehicles eligible for this tier are not expected to come online until 2024.
Source: Autosport