The 2011 season of the World Rally Championship will begin this weekend with the presentation of the Rally Sweden. Several changes mark the start of this new season.
This year marks the arrival of a new breed of World Rally cars. Starting from 2011, the WRC must be powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine instead of a 2 litres normally aspirated unit that was used before.
The new WRC cars are based on the Super 2000 regulations, with a performance kit (turbo, rear spoiler) to increase their performances, following the request of the competitors.
The two main constructors involved, Citroen and Ford, took this opportunity to launch their new cars: the Citroen DS3 R3 will replace the C4, while the new Fiesta RS will replace the Focus.
Another major change this year is the disappearance of the rule of a single tire supplier. Each team can now choose its tire manufacturer. Michelin is back in WRC and will provide tires to most of the teams, while Chinese company DMACK will make its debuts in the series as a supplier for several Junior championship cars. Pirelli left the WRC as the Italian manufacturer moved to Formula 1 this season.
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| Photo: Ford World Rally Team |
This year marks the arrival of a new breed of World Rally cars. Starting from 2011, the WRC must be powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine instead of a 2 litres normally aspirated unit that was used before.
The new WRC cars are based on the Super 2000 regulations, with a performance kit (turbo, rear spoiler) to increase their performances, following the request of the competitors.
The two main constructors involved, Citroen and Ford, took this opportunity to launch their new cars: the Citroen DS3 R3 will replace the C4, while the new Fiesta RS will replace the Focus.
Another major change this year is the disappearance of the rule of a single tire supplier. Each team can now choose its tire manufacturer. Michelin is back in WRC and will provide tires to most of the teams, while Chinese company DMACK will make its debuts in the series as a supplier for several Junior championship cars. Pirelli left the WRC as the Italian manufacturer moved to Formula 1 this season.
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| Photo: Citroën Racing |