Post by Mitch on Dec 6, 2005 0:44:49 GMT -5
The Australian Rally Commission (ARCom) has announced a series of radical and exciting changes aimed at ensuring the continued growth of the Globalstar Australian Rally Championship.
The most far reaching of the changes is the introduction of the new FIA Super 2000 formula into the ARC from July 1st, 2006.
This follows the move the FIA has made in introducing Super 2000 as an eligible category alongside Group N in the Production Car World Rally Championship.
The Super 2000 category allows the use of manufacturer homologated vehicles with 2000cc naturally aspirated engines with significant modification, and a control four wheel drive transmission.
ARCom Chairman Garry Connelly said the move is fully supported by all parties involved, including representatives of all the manufacturers in the ARC.
"We expect that current Group N (P) manufacturers Ford and Toyota will look to adopt the international rules in coming years, and this will also provide an opportunity for European car makers to enter the ARC." ARCom Chairman Garry Connelly said.
"Although Group N and Super 2000 are comparable in terms of overall performance the Super 2000 cars will sound much better and will be able to be driven more aggressively, and they will certainly add an exciting dimension to the sport."
The raft of other changes is designed to increase competitor numbers and reduce competitor costs. These changes have been made after extensive consultation with competitors at all levels of the sport.
For 2006, ARCom will introduce a second tier of competition for privateers. Level One privateers will be determined by ARCom as those who wish to compete at an outright level, and will be eligible for the current Privateer's Cup class.
The yet-to-be-named second-tier competition allows entrants on a reduced budget to nominate, prior to their first contested round, the four events in which they will score points which will count towards a new "stand alone" series. They will also be eligible to contest the overall championship if they wish.
Competitors in the second-tier will be limited to 12 tyres for each event, and will use a control fuel. ARCom is currently in negotiations for official fuel suppliers for both levels of competition and it is anticipated that there will be a significant reduction in fuel costs for the second-tier competitors.
In order to reduce costs and minimise the time spent away from a team's home base, events will be compacted into four days commencing with reconnaissance on Thursday and finishing with prizes being presented at the Official Finish on Sunday.
A ban has been placed on testing during the week of the event. Separate testing activities are to be provided in each state during the year.
Changes for Level One competitors include:
- A limit of 2 engines for the 6 Super Series events. Use of an additional engine will incur a one minute penalty unless a change is required due to crash damage (as deemed by the Stewards).
- One gearbox per Super Series event (both heats) will be imposed. A 30-second penalty will apply for a gearbox change unless it is required due to crash damage (as deemed by the Stewards).
- The competitive distance of each ARC Super Series event will be no less than 170, and no more than 200 kilometres. No single day may have less than 80km competitive distance.
- Tyre restrictions will remain, and will be limited to one tyre per 10 kilometres of competitive distance. For example, a 200 kilometre event will allow 20 tyres to be used, whereas a 172km event will allow 17 tyres
Copied from rally.com.au
The most far reaching of the changes is the introduction of the new FIA Super 2000 formula into the ARC from July 1st, 2006.
This follows the move the FIA has made in introducing Super 2000 as an eligible category alongside Group N in the Production Car World Rally Championship.
The Super 2000 category allows the use of manufacturer homologated vehicles with 2000cc naturally aspirated engines with significant modification, and a control four wheel drive transmission.
ARCom Chairman Garry Connelly said the move is fully supported by all parties involved, including representatives of all the manufacturers in the ARC.
"We expect that current Group N (P) manufacturers Ford and Toyota will look to adopt the international rules in coming years, and this will also provide an opportunity for European car makers to enter the ARC." ARCom Chairman Garry Connelly said.
"Although Group N and Super 2000 are comparable in terms of overall performance the Super 2000 cars will sound much better and will be able to be driven more aggressively, and they will certainly add an exciting dimension to the sport."
The raft of other changes is designed to increase competitor numbers and reduce competitor costs. These changes have been made after extensive consultation with competitors at all levels of the sport.
For 2006, ARCom will introduce a second tier of competition for privateers. Level One privateers will be determined by ARCom as those who wish to compete at an outright level, and will be eligible for the current Privateer's Cup class.
The yet-to-be-named second-tier competition allows entrants on a reduced budget to nominate, prior to their first contested round, the four events in which they will score points which will count towards a new "stand alone" series. They will also be eligible to contest the overall championship if they wish.
Competitors in the second-tier will be limited to 12 tyres for each event, and will use a control fuel. ARCom is currently in negotiations for official fuel suppliers for both levels of competition and it is anticipated that there will be a significant reduction in fuel costs for the second-tier competitors.
In order to reduce costs and minimise the time spent away from a team's home base, events will be compacted into four days commencing with reconnaissance on Thursday and finishing with prizes being presented at the Official Finish on Sunday.
A ban has been placed on testing during the week of the event. Separate testing activities are to be provided in each state during the year.
Changes for Level One competitors include:
- A limit of 2 engines for the 6 Super Series events. Use of an additional engine will incur a one minute penalty unless a change is required due to crash damage (as deemed by the Stewards).
- One gearbox per Super Series event (both heats) will be imposed. A 30-second penalty will apply for a gearbox change unless it is required due to crash damage (as deemed by the Stewards).
- The competitive distance of each ARC Super Series event will be no less than 170, and no more than 200 kilometres. No single day may have less than 80km competitive distance.
- Tyre restrictions will remain, and will be limited to one tyre per 10 kilometres of competitive distance. For example, a 200 kilometre event will allow 20 tyres to be used, whereas a 172km event will allow 17 tyres
Copied from rally.com.au
