350Z rally porn and what i'd like to see in the future

"feather-throttle-not-hair" (feather-throttle-not-hair) 09/03/2013 at 19:03 • Filed to: None

4

5

Everyone knows that RWD rally cars are straight up awesome. I came across this series a while ago, and though it appears to have ended last year I can't help but smile whenever I see one of these videos.

It got me thinking though, about how more rally organizers should emulate this series. Cheap rear wheel drive and relatively modern is a good formula for a spec series. It obviously keeps costs down, while ensuring that the cars are competitive with each other with plenty of parts availability.

The cheaper rally series' almost all utilize FWD designs, which is fine, but considerably cuts down on time spent sideways and lets face it, that's a big part of the appeal of rally racing.

I'd love to see Subaru get back into rallying on a more grassroots level. Think about how great a spec BRZ class could be. It would be great for spectators and drivers alike, while hyping their new car. It would also get Subaru back in the rally game without having to commit tons of money to beating VW, Citroen and Hyundai in the WRC scene.

Alternatively an MX-5 series could be good as well, Mazda already heavily supports grassroots racing and i'd love to see them branch into rallying as well.

Thoughts anyone?

Blondude > feather-throttle-not-hair 09/03/2013 at 19:19

1

Well, we already have a testbed.

Z_Stig > feather-throttle-not-hair 09/03/2013 at 19:19

0

Rally BRZ? Heck yea!

Dusty Ventures > feather-throttle-not-hair 09/03/2013 at 19:58

0

There are actually zero FWD-only divisions in North American rallying (well I suppose there's technically B-Spec, but there's nothing saying a RWD couldn't be added to the approved car list) and very few in the world. Most are just general 2WD classes and whether the car is front or rear is entirely up to the driver. I don't see your "cheap rear wheel drive and relatively modern" spec series taking off because you can get an old Group 2 car in good condition for $5-10k while I can't see anyone being able to get a car for your described series for under $20k, $30-35k to be competitive. For that money you could pick up a used Fiesta and go faster (they also spend waaaay more time sideways than you think).

Subaru never left grassroots rallying. In fact they've got a deal with Rally America where they pay a large portion of the entry fee for the first X number of Subarus that register for an event, regardless of whether they're running in national or regional division, turbo or NA. They also reward good finishes, especially in the SP class. They also run one of only two full factory backed teams in the States (the other being Scion) and as far as I know the only factory team in Canada. As for the spec BRZ class, again the cost of entry would be too high and the drivers who want to go as fast as possible for as little money as possible would choose a different platform. Maybe when the BRZ is 5-10 years old and you can get a used one for cheap they could become a contender.

Mazda is already in rally as well, finish top 5 in class in a Mazda and they send you a nice check. I don't foresee MX-5 rally cars becoming a popular thing because the sanctioning bodies hate convertibles. Even if you put a solid roof on it they tend to refuse it. I'm sure there's a way to build it so they'd approve, but again you'll just end up in the "there's an easier/cheaper way." Only hardcore enthusiasts of those particular cars will race them (which is why there's currently a Chevy S10, Datsun 280Z, and Plymouth Fire Arrow currently competing).

feather-throttle-not-hair > Dusty Ventures 09/03/2013 at 20:13

0

Hmm good info. I didn't realize that the 2wd classes weren't FWD specific. I wonder if FWD would still be faster on all tarmac rallies. It's also cool that there is still a bunch of factory support amongst Subaru and Mazda.

The truth is (and i'm sure you can probably see this coming) I just wish there were more RWD competitive rally cars. If that means giving them their own class, so be it. There's no denying the Renaissance amongst rear drivers thats going on right now, i'd like to see some of it translated into time spent sideways on a dirt road.

It sounds like there isn't enough money in rallying in the U.S. right now. As much as Block makes me roll my eyes, at least he's doing good things for the visibility of the sport.

Dusty Ventures > feather-throttle-not-hair 09/03/2013 at 21:37

0

RWD definitely has the advantage in tarmac rallies. The reason (I suspect) FWD has an advantage on dirt/loose surfaces is that when the back end begins to lose grip in a corner the drive wheels still have traction and are still putting full power down. And yes, it will straighten itself out quicker as well because the front of the car will pull the rear back in line.

It is possible to win in RWD. In fact the last two northwest rallies were won OVERALL by a BMW. But it takes a solid chunk of extra horsepower (unlike AWD there are no intake restrictors on 2WD cars) for RWD cars to get the advantage, and that power costs money. Nameless is doing good work with their new GT86, but a car of that caliber isn't attainable for most.

There isn't enough money in rallying period. Ford had to back out of the WRC due to lack of funds and M-Sport and Citroen are only surviving right now because of "pay-to-play" drivers (Novikov and Al-Attiyah on the M-Sport side, Al-Qasimi for Citroen).