FIA announces cost-cutting measures for World Rallycross

The latest World Motor Sport Council meeting on December 6 announced that “several measures have been approved for the 2018 World RX to better control costs", including "new limitations on engines, turbos, tyres, gearbox ratios and aerodynamic devices.” 

Since then, the World RX championship has released more details on the points published by the FIA after they were agreed in the FIA’s rallycross technical working group. 

For 2018, the number of engine seals permitted will be reduced to two - three seals having been permitted since 2013. The number of turbo chargers permitted across the 12 rounds has also been reduced, from six to four. Prior to 2013, one engine and two turbos were permitted per event. 

While unregistered tyres have previously been allowed in practice and warm-ups, in 2018 each car will be permitted to register 12 new wet and dry tyres at the first two rounds.

From the third event and thereafter, a maximum of eight new tyres, wet and dry, may be registered, but only registered tyres can be used at all stages of events. 

An agreement for World RX Supercars to have a Technical Declaration form to accompany the technical passport [log book] has also been reached, which “will be used to identify items that are restricted to remove development opportunities and costs.” 

The make, model and location of the gearbox will now be declared, along with clarification as to whether a centre differential is used.

The transmission specification will then be locked for the year in its declared state. Gear ratios have been restricted to two sets for the year, while brakes will also have to be a declared specification for the season.

Following a number of teams, including Team Peugeot-Hansen and Mattias Esktrom’s EKS squad, making aerodynamic changes to their cars during the 2017 season, the rear aerodynamic device [rear wing] will now have to be a declared specification for the duration of the year.