World Rally Cars in their current form will be banned from the world championship in less than a year, at the end of the 2009 season. They will then only be allowed to run in restricted specification through the 2010 season.

For the past three years, ever since the FIA first pencilled down ideas for a replacement formula, discussions have been going on. For a long time there was lobbying against any change but that ended on 26th March 2008 when the World Council finally stated that change would happen, anyway. If the FIA approved manufacturers' proposals they would accept them. If they didn't the world championship would fall back on the existing traditional Group N and Super 2000 under a new name. As precise details of the rules were finalised came lobbying to ensure the FIA accepted the manufacturers' proposals. So far as the manufacturers were concerned, the FIA guidelines for the future formula had been fulfilled but still they are nervous. Even more so after the World Motor Sport Council on November 5th issued a renewed warning about costs. David Lapworth, Technical Director for Subaru Wold Rally Team continued to be perplexed.

"The present situation is difficult to interpret. So far as the teams are concerned, we feel our current proposals for the new World Rally Car rules contain all the costs limitations which are possible. We just hope the World Motor Sport Council will be reassured when they are presented with the final set of rules on December 12th. It was difficult to know why the FIA issued the warning about costs at the last World Council meeting. It looks suspiciously like the FIA are trying to change the goalposts. I sincerely hope that is not the case". About the alternative Super Touring idea, Lapworth added: "We could handle that, but that is not what we want. Manufacturers have accepted the offer to devise a "S2000+ formula" within required guidelines because these cars can offer a high level spectacle, provide good brand building and offer the chance of commercial success for event organisers, exactly what was asked for".

The cost limitation factors in the Super 2000+ rules are provided for in countless ways. Major components must be acquired off-the-shelf, all at prices which are agreed by the FIA and comply with their suppliers' tender. Then there is cost saving through enabling improved longevity of components, achieved by measures such as turbo restrictor sizes which prevent high engine revolutions, and boost controls which limit the high torque outputs which create strain on the transmissions. "All the elements of the kit which can be added to create a Super 2000+ car have their own cost limit. Why is the FIA so worried?"

Less certain are the proposals for interim provisions to apply in 2010, when existing World Rally Cars will be allowed to run side-by-side with cars running to the new rules, in circumstances which ensure they do not eclipse the new cars. "At the moment we do not know when the first carsbuilt under the new rules will appear, and of course interim provisions will only be necessary if these cars will appear in 2010. At the moment, there have been brief discussions about this. Ideas revolve around boost control and minimum weight rules, but nothing has been agreed at this time".

Why are manufacturers loath to embrace the Super Touring regulations which the FIA is offering as a last resort? Lapworth again: "It is more difficult to form equivalence between Super 2000 and Group N than between Super 2000+ and Group N +. Group N does not have the same precision in regulations as Super 2000. And Super 2000 does not represent the type of car which the manufacturers want to run". Beyond the technical issues, more decisions are waiting to be made. Currently no manufacturer may homologate a world rally car unless they have already been registered as competing in the world rally championship. That commitment in many ways is
even more demanding than building a new car, and although eight manufacturers have already or are about to homologate Super 2000 cars, it is far from clear if any of them would be able to enter into a world championship commitment.

3mmm