The World Motor Sport Council has delivered more detail on the sporting structure of the 2027 World Rally Championship – including confirmation that a constructors’ series will replace the current race for the manufacturers’ title.
While the FIA had offered a high-level view of the series’ next generation, Wednesday’s meeting in Uzbekistan confirmed those homologation regulations and brought more detail on the definition of Constructors permitted to build and run those cars.
In its communication following WMSC, the FIA stated: “This introduces a formal definition for Constructors – bringing the Manufacturer and Tuner entrants under a singular umbrella as entrants in FIA World Rally Championship.
“A Constructor is the entity responsible for designing and building the WRC27-type car, preparing and submitting the vehicle for FIA homologation, and commercialising the car and its associated components.”
WRC27 regulations will be based on current Rally2 technology
Putting numbers around the requirement of a Constructor, the FIA added: “The homologation conditions for WRC27-type cars mandate the production of at least ten units within twenty-four months of the homologation date.
“Constructors must also be capable of supplying at least ten race-ready WRC27-type cars per calendar year to customers. Where a Constructor supplies a second Constructor for partial homologation, the minimum production of the base car or car variant may be reduced relative to the supply to the second Constructor. In addition, the regulations confirm that the homologation of a WRC27-type car is valid for a ten-year period.”
As expected, the FIA also confirmed a staggered entry to a full WRC commitment for new constructors.
The statement added: “In line with the FIA’s target to increase the number of competitors in the top category of the WRC, the requirements for entry and participation have been updated. The regulations stipulate that homologation may only be granted once a constructor has officially registered for the championship, and participation requirements have been introduced so that a homologated car must contest at least fifty per cent of WRC events in its first year with a minimum of two cars per rally, increasing to full participation across all events from the second year.
“With the homologation regulations now confirmed, the foundations are in place for the championship’s new era in 2027, providing stability, clarity and long-term direction for Constructors, Teams and Competitors, setting the stage for a spectacular rally competition brought to fans all around the world.”
The 2027 season will, of course, mark the start of new technical regulations. Current-specification Rally1 cars will be replaced by what’s currently known as WRC27. These cars will retain a spaceframe chassis, but they will employ engines, suspension, running gear and brakes from the current Rally2 category.
