It’s almost impossible to get through a day without hearing another opinion on what needs to happen with Rally1 and Rally2 in the next six months. The world has become obsessed. And divided. To some, the FIA is putting rallying in grave danger. To others, the governing body is staffed by visionaries who can – and will – save the world.
Forget the pointed end of the pyramid. Just for a moment. Let’s head south and go back to the pyramid’s base. This is the truly important end of the sport. This is where the Kalle Rovanperäs of the future can be found. It is the future.
And here, the FIA really is helping to save the world. We bring you the all-new Suzuki Swift Rally5-Kit.
Suzuki Swift Rally5-Kit has been developed in Spain by R-Technology
Nice, you might think, to see Suzuki getting involved in rallying again. The Japanese giant was once the only place to go for a Junior WRC title, then came the SX4 WRC… moving on.
The Swift Rally5-Kit is obviously based on a road-going Suzuki, but it’s Spanish firm R-Technology that’s done the hard yards on what looks like being one of the sport’s most exciting and potentially accessible new cars in a long time.
And the FIA has greased the wheels to make it happen. You might be aware, Suzuki pulled out of motorsport and left the Rally5 project high and dry. R-Technology had done plenty of research, development and testing. It couldn’t – and wouldn’t – let this one lie. But without Suzuki, there could be no homologation and the dream of a Rally5 car was shattered.
That was when R-Technology turned to RFEdA, the Spanish ASN. The nation’s governing body stepped in and offered to help out with the FIA. The FIA’s own Rally5-Kit regulations made it possible for private preparation firms like R-Technology to homologate cars and bring them to market.
Suzuki powered three JWRC titles, including for Aaron Burkart in 2010
All that time, effort and investment wasn’t wasted and 14 years on from Aaron Burkart becoming the third and final driver to lift a Junior title in a Swift, the car’s back. Admittedly, it’s a very different animal to the 1600cc pure-bred racer that rattled through the stages and helped P-G Andersson top the world twice. But it’s aimed at a different market. It’s aimed at the mass market.
Weighing in at an impressive 1030kg (50kg lighter than Renault’s Clio Rally5), the Swift is an exciting proposition for the ground floor of homologated rallying. Don’t be fooled by the fact that R-Technology and not Suzuki completed the homologation process, this is a proper rally car.
The turbocharged 1373cc engine is redlined at 6500rpm and delivers 170bhp and 300Nm torque. There’s a 3MO sequential gearbox, limited-slip diff, AP Racing clutch, adjustable dampers and hydraulic handbrake.
Homologated from the start of April, the Swift costs €57,000 (US$60,000) and you’re getting a lot of race car that’s actually ready to rally. That’s your price to be on the start line of an asphalt event.
So, Rally1 and Rally2 might be the question on everybody’s lips right now, but it’s R-Technology’s Rally5 that’s going to be putting a smile on faces.
