As an example, we will give two interesting ones, which explain the principle of operation of several technologies used in the creation and testing of rally cars.
The first video tells us how manufacturers test a prepared rally car using treadmill during testing in a wind tunnel. It was the use of a combination of two technical means, as experts say, that made it possible to revolutionize the process of running-in aero kit and its further tuning in various racing conditions.
Probably, for an ordinary car, this approach is clearly superfluous, but for a rally car it makes sense, because on the rally track, the sports car moves not only in the plane of the road, but also flies up on jumps, that is, the aerodynamics of flights must also be taken into account during calculations.
The combination of the "treadmill" and the aerodynamic tunnel allows you to create the effect of full presence:
1. can be blown from almost all sides by the oncoming air flow.
2. At the same time, the running belt under the wheels allows the wheels to turn, creating point zones of blowing the moving parts. For example, the same wheel rims... Why is this needed? To optimize the wheel design and ultimately stabilize the vehicle in flight.
3. The same applies to attachments. How will the air flow change if you attach an auxiliary lighting unit for night racing to the front of the hood? Experts easily recognize this in a wind tunnel.
4. But that's not all. With the help of special shock absorbers, by changing the angle of attack of the body, you can literally blow out under the bottom of the car, learning how the aerodynamics of the car will change in flight. What additional elements of the lower aero kit should be added, what needs to be changed to stabilize the car in flight on the springboard.
The whole set of measures allows you to find out how the car will behave in a real race.
Ford Performance has filmed a video briefly describing how the WRC team used the supplemented treadmill to further enhance their Fiesta rally cars this season.
This is an example of the most advanced technology in service. But there is also a more standard way to improve the car, without which a real rally car cannot be imagined. This method is used by more than one generation of rally drivers, and it is associated with a special technique of additional welding of the body, which makes the body safer and more durable.
Do you know how a monster rally is created? An ordinary production car is often taken. It is disassembled to a screw, and painstaking work begins on replacing components and assemblies, adding additional parts and revising existing ones. The front of work depends entirely on the level of the race, but in general, the main stages can be broken down into seven parts:
1. Suspension modernization.
2. Replacing brakes with more durable ones. And even for a rally brakes designed with complex road conditionsin which these machines work.
3. Powertrain changes.
4. Underbody protection.
5. Complete bulkhead for the rider's needs.
6. Installation of special wheels: tires and disks.
7. And even overcooking the body.
If we examined the first six points in detail in one of our early articles, then we will study the seventh point right now. Rally specialists from the Team O'Neil Rally School team will help us with this.
When the car is built from the ground up, the specialists have an excellent opportunity to make adjustments and the required reinforcements to the standard body. Moreover, in this case, we are talking not only about installing the so-called safety cage, but also about welding critical parts of the body with additional welding, which makes the body stiffer, stronger and even safer in case of an accident.
See for yourself, here is a photo of Thierry Neville:
WRC Argentina 2018
In a moment, the car will land on the left side at a very unfavorable angle. The suspension on the left side will work to failure. The load will be transferred to the body, and at this moment the body will begin to twist with incredible force. If it was a regular factory Hyundai or any other car mass production, after such a hard landing, he would have received serious damage to the body.
What do the masters do in this case? They take up the welding machine, put on a welding mask and start to cook ... Moreover, the welding technique is not anyhow, but precisely calculated and technically justified, otherwise at the end of the work you can get not a "candy", but a fatally ruined body: it can lead, the geometry will change, unnecessary stress, and instead of winning places will go to the dump.
It is impossible to just take and weld all the joints of the body with a solid line. Such a seam will make the body extremely rigid, which will quickly render it unusable after a couple of racing sessions. On the contrary, as they say and show in the "Team O'Neil Rally School", you need to act according to factory technology, using spot welding, with the help of it, reinforcing the joints of sheet metal joints.
Please note that although an example of spot welding is visible on the body, it does not resemble factory work. The "points" after the intervention of the guys who prepared the car for participation in the rally, turned rather into a "dash". This technology also adds rigidity to the bodywork.
And, of course, don't forget about the roll cage. All this together makes the rally car exactly a rally shell that can be flown and very hard to land on.
These two seemingly "simple" technologies allow modern architects to create real rally cars. Did you know about this?
Amateur races in cars of different classes are gaining momentum. Today, on a variety of tracks, you can see both professional prepared cars and just cars in the right class with the usual equipment. It is for drivers in last cars the information in this article is dedicated. The fact is that it is dangerous to operate a car in this mode. Rallying may not be the most pleasant and simple action for transport. You can crash a car and get hurt yourself. Often there is a car overturn. At the same time, nothing happens to the prepared rally modes of transport, after the coup they can continue to move on. But a civilian car that came from an asphalt road to a rally is simply doomed to complete destruction. And repair of a prepared machine is easier and cheaper.
The most popular cars for rallying in our time are the old VAZ 2109 and 2108. These are excellent front-wheel drive cars, which become just an excellent base for the formation of a very high-quality and reliable car for racing. Of course, almost everything will have to be redone, but the design is already ready for the installation of normal sports parts. However, hatchbacks and sedans of other classes, brands and model years are often used. You can turn into rally car almost any car, and the original transport will only answer the question in which class you will be driving. There are amateur races, and there are professional ones, and the admission of cars to each stage is individual. So the preparation of the car often takes place according to certain requirements. Today we will talk about general processes.
Strengthening the body - a measure of safety and caution
To use a car long enough and successfully, you have to turn it into a racing machine. To do this, first remove all glass, including the windshield. To avoid any problems with flying stones, a rather fine mesh is installed instead of glasses. This allows you to avoid injuries during the operation of the car. Also, such work is carried out with the body that allow it to be strengthened and prepared for trips on the track:
- the first step is to throw out everything unnecessary from the passenger compartment, as well as everything that has weight, these are door cards, a back seat, plastic panels and shelves, carpets and other details;
- the steering wheel, pedals and two front seats remain - for the navigator and the driver, normal control of instruments is also provided, more accurate sensors are installed;
- the next step will be to weld body arcs in the cabin, they pass through the entire cabin, can be arranged in a chaotic manner and are an important detail;
- all newly installed parts are necessarily treated with anti-corrosion coatings or primer, painted and brought to their normal aesthetic appearance;
- the body is restored to normal condition, any functional problems with parts are eliminated, rust is removed and potentially dangerous places are boiled.
All these works require professionalism. You can only disassemble the interior and discard unnecessary items on your own. Otherwise, you can only rely on the work of specialists. Otherwise, the processes performed will be of poor quality and will not be able to ensure the necessary reliability of the car in the most diverse and difficult conditions. That is why unprepared cars have problems.
Engine and transmission are important parts of a racing car
Before changing the power unit or gearbox, find out what exactly are the requirements for different associations and tournaments. It is quite possible to install a large turbocharged engine on a VAZ 2108 for a couple of liters and more than two hundred horse power, but such cars will not be able to exhibit at all competitions. So you should be careful with the technique. Among the important aspects of working with power unit the following features can be distinguished:
- the engine can also be left native, but it must be in the most serviceable condition, readiness for the largest loads must be present;
- the gearbox is often strengthened and refined, installed from other cars that have a shorter stroke and more flexible gearbox operation;
- all alterations must meet the requirements of the association in which you want to perform, even if at first it is just an amateur level, and the cars are not controlled;
- immediately follow the highest levels of racing competition and their requirements, so that if you are lucky, you will not convert your car back to factory settings;
- any work on the installation of the engine and gearbox must be carried out in a professional workshop, otherwise the high-quality work of these units cannot be guaranteed by anyone.
As you can see, rebuilding the engine is also a rather difficult and specific activity, which may be pleasant for your hobby, but very unpleasant for your wallet. So there are certain subtleties in each process. For someone, to purchase a used old "Eight" will already be an achievement, and someone can install in it new engine from Mazda, for example. Everything in this world is conditional and depends on the circumstances.
Suspension and important vehicle modules for rally racing
Of course, the factory suspension from no brand in the world can withstand the stresses of the rally for long. If you convert to racing car domestic car, then the suspension must be changed immediately. Otherwise, in the middle of the race, ball joints, CV joints can fly out, the suspension arms bend or the beam rattles. Then you have to stop the competition and go for repairs. It is better to immediately take care of such features, which are the minimum for racing:
- complete replacement of silent blocks in the suspension with high-quality products not made of rubber, but of more durable and reliable materials, installation of new high-quality fasteners on these nodes;
- replacement of racks with sports ones, they should not be oily, here it is better to use rigid, rebound and indestructible racks of special manufacturers for sports;
- the struts change along with the upper sports-type bearings, as well as new springs and ball bearings with a reinforced body and a movable mechanism;
- the suspension arms and the beam are examined, if necessary, they are strengthened or changed to more durable ones, the rest of the car's suspension is also examined;
- it is better to install more efficient brakes, and it is better to change them together with calipers and drums in order to get better results in all respects.
The system of bearings in the wheels on many cars lives up to 200,000 kilometers in normal mode. It is not necessary to change the hub parts in preparation for the rally. But in case of failure, it is worth replacing at least a set of two bearings, and it is better to choose not factory-made, but reinforced bearings prepared for high loads. All this will help you get the highest quality solutions with the required parameters.
How to Rally Beginner - Highlights
If you have already made a car, but do not know how to start your performances, it is worth doing some steps. First of all, you need a partner for many races. This is the navigator, who also plays the role of balancing the car on many cars. Further, it is worth looking for several championships and competitions for fans of car racing. The search principle is as follows:
anyone is accepted into the competition, your car is fully suitable for all restrictions, the name of the competition contains the word Open, which allows everyone to participate;
- you are satisfied with all the time frames of the championship, its venues, stages and conditions for choosing a winner, there are certain conditions in each competition that must be taken into account;
- you should enter the championship with a demonstration of the car, so for a start it is better to choose only the competition in your city or region, this will help to get on the path of the racer;
- further, as you gain experience, you can say exactly what conditions should be met to participate in a particular competition, so that you can declare yourself in other cities;
- pay attention to the prize fund, as well as the principles of its formation, often amateur races are arranged by investors, who are the creators of all the prizes;
- sometimes the prize fund is collected from the participants, and then distributed to the first, second and third places in each class of cars, in which case you will have to deposit your own money.
Of course, for a start, it's better to participate in sponsored races, where you do not have to contribute your own money. Winning the race against people who train and fight for a long time at different stages of the rally will not be easy. Therefore, you will simply be losing money. And in free competitions, you can always show yourself, practice and show all the qualities of a car, without spending any money at all. We suggest looking at the requirements for a car for autocross:
Summing up
It is quite difficult to become a racer in Russia. To do this, you need to take into account many important features of each competition and championship, it is worth to withstand certain conditions for the car. There are a lot of restrictions that must always be taken into account when building a car and following all the rules and regulations of the rally. If you violate the rules of participation, you will be disqualified and you will lose funds. Remember also that it is often impossible to drive a car for a rally on the road, since it does not have certain elements necessary for road traffic... In this case, you will also need a trailer, as well as a towing vehicle for transporting racing vehicles to the right places.
All this is a rather costly process, so you immediately need to decide on the amount of money that you are willing to spend on racing. Don't expect to immediately find a sponsor who will offer you incredible opportunities to compete in the highest championships. It is common for riders to establish their name in amateur racing for several years and ride at their own expense before being taken under its wing by any large corporation. So everyone should be careful with the start of such difficult and expensive competitions as rallies and any other car races. Would you like to take part in the rally in a specially prepared car?
The 2016 World Rally Championship promises to be the most exciting ever! The current season is a mixture of classic and modern. It will take place in the harshest locations, from the traditional Monte Carlo circuit to a brand new asphalt surface in China, slated to debut in September.
The harsh conditions will put drivers, navigators and their vehicles under extreme stress. Plus, the sport's recent surge in popularity has pushed many manufacturers to take on the fight as well by improving everyday city cars, turning them into super-powerful rally cars, thereby surprising and delighting millions of fans.
What if automakers were free to build what they have long wanted? We asked this question and received a very peculiar answer. Perhaps some of the cars shown in the photo will one day really find themselves on the tracks, but for now we can only dream, contemplating pictures of these fantastic and truly exclusive rally cars.
So, go ahead, global automakers - you are able to create a real miracle!
Alfa Romeo giulia
Alfa Romeo has an impressive track record of racing victories, but it is not well known for its excellent handling on snow or gravel tracks.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia was spotted in road trials at the Nürburgring in Germany and looks set to be a true rival to the BMW M3 when it goes on sale this year. We wondered, what if Alfa Romeo started this super-car off-road even before it had time to try the asphalt?
Appearance this car definitely grabbing attention: huge fenders, splitters and other parts that maximize aerodynamics. The body has always been and remains smooth, discreet and functional. Air intakes are installed on the hood of the rally car, but the most important modification (which no one can do without italian car) is the Martini emblem, inspired by the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale.
Audi TT Quattro
Audi brought all-wheel drive to the rally world with the acclaimed Quattro coupe, which debuted in 1980. Audi model The Quattro A1 was the first rally car to take advantage of the newly introduced rules allowing all-wheel drive vehicles participate in races.
Combination of trill five-cylinder turbocharged engine and unrivaled traction have transformed this sleek German coupe into a true rally car. It would be unforgivable for Audi if it doesn't return to the rally world anytime soon, as the latest TT model looks stunning after the WRC makeover.
Huge flared arches, an insane rear wing, and more holes in the hood than cheese grater holes made this powerful and compact sports car a wildly flamboyant rally monster. What's the better way to earn a TT the recognition it really deserves?
Fiat 500 Abarth
Fiat has enlisted the support of factory tuning studio Abarth, which has been successfully developing high-performance rally cars for many years. At one time, the "charged" modifications of two models Fiat 124 and Abarth 131 managed to make them the winners of numerous competitions.
The original Fiat 500, which dominated the track in the 60s, featured a rear-engined layout that contributed to better grip with the road and provided quite good accelerating dynamics.
So Fiat's return to the rally world with the latest 595 Abarth doesn't seem so unlikely. The car looks very impressive with giant wheel arches and huge movable headlights. And this championship is a great chance to prove that Fiat is a true WRC titanium both in mud and on asphalt.
Ford Mustang RS200
In 1984, when the 500-horsepower group B monsters began to appear on rally tracks, the Ford factory team decided not to develop the existing options, but to create a completely new car.
Original four-wheel drive model sports coupe The RS200 (the abbreviation RS stands for rally sport, and 200 is the number of units produced for this model) had a composite body, easily overcame rough terrain and performed colossal jumps. But, unfortunately, the changed rules did not allow this rally "beast" to realize its potential.
The Ford Mustang has developed a reputation for agility and endurance in sports cars. Although, probably, he feels much better on a flat road than in the impenetrable Finnish forests. latest model was created to prove that this is a real rally car, although in fact appearance the huge American coupe is not very suitable for this sport.
Lancia Delta Integrale
Lancia may not be as popular in the UK today as it used to be (and these cars aren't even sold in the country!), But we can't deny the tremendous success of this Italian company in the rally world.
Such famous modelslike Fulvia, Stratos, 037 and Delta have helped Lancia win 11 world championship victories, orders of magnitude more than any other manufacturer.
That is why Lancia's return to the rally seems quite natural and, moreover, absolutely the right decision. Best carthat the manufacturer can imagine is a modern version of a model called the Delta - one of the most famous sports cars ever to race.
Looking at the passing Delta in the Alitalia brand livery, one would notice that this concept looks so appropriate that it would certainly be peeped at from a considerable distance.
Mercedes S-Class - aka "Red Pig"
A rally version of the luxurious Mercedes S-Class may seem like an odd choice for motorsport competition, but Mercedes built a real one in 1971. racing car - Mercedes-Benz 300SEL, so get us right.
The car received a funny nickname "Red Pig" (translated from of English language means "Red Pig") for the characteristic roar of its engine and, frankly, was more suitable for driving on the ring European routes than for storming the sands of Australia. Nevertheless, the 300SEL managed to achieve recognition and general admiration, placing second in the prestigious 24 Hours Spa race in 1971.
The car is able to plug even some of the more prepared brothers in the belt. With the power output of the current S-Class, we have the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine from the S65 at our disposal, not to mention the tilt function that allows you to go into corners like a two-ton superbike. Also worth noting is the 300SEL's large and luxurious saloon, which makes more modest rally representatives bow their heads. Plus, there is a night vision device in the car, should the need arise.
Porsche 911
The current generation of the Porsche 911 is the latest successor to a long line of top-class vehicles. Over the past half century, the 911 has been the winner of many world races, but a separate branch of the evolution of this model - the Porsche 959 has become a truly iconic event for rallying. This all-wheel drive monster, in the outlines of which you can trace the image of the same 911, won the grueling Paris-Dakar rallies in 1986.
Our 911 looks just amazing as a true rally supercar, especially with this bumper bar, six headlights and flared wheel arches.
The blue and white (currently banned) Rothmans cigarette livery color scheme rounds out what is one of the more believable rally cars on our list.
Renault alpine
In the 60s and 70s, the original Alpine gained a large following, thanks in part to its victory in the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in 1971 and 1973. The rear-engined layout, a la Porsche 911, gave the car not only a unique visual profile, but also excellent grip on slippery road surfaces.
In recent years renault has shown several Alpine concept cars, so it is likely that the production model could go on sale as early as this year. After evaluating the design of one of the later concepts, the prospect of turning it into reality even turned our heads a little.
Rolls royce wraith
You're guaranteed to fly in the air in this crazy Rolls-Royce Wraith rally concept. Probably the craziest concept car ever created for this kind of competition! In fact, the inspiration for this car was the eccentric Rolls-Royce Corniche, which took part in the Paris-Dakar rally.
In a car as insane as this one, you're more likely to read your chauffeur's transcript than drive yourself. So there is something grossly wrong about using Rolls-Royce off-road. Plus, the built-in champagne flutes will definitely add elegance to the top spot on the podium ...
Volkswagen Touran rally car
Taking into account the unknown niches that are opening up every day in the new passenger car market, it will not be long before an all-wheel drive rally-ready minivan appears.
The Volkswagen Touran rally car is a great option if your daily commute to school passes through Timbuktu or Outer Mongolia.
Volkswagen, of course, will not be the first thought of most when trying to name an all-conquering rally car, but nonetheless sUV Touareg won the Paris-Dakar Rally in 2009 and 2010, while the Polo R has won the World Rally Championship every year since 2013.
A full-fledged Touran rally car, as crazy as it might seem, in fact, may not be such a stupid idea, because just think, you can always carry equipment with you ...
Accredited journalists are allowed a lot: they can study cars, follow the work of mechanics ... But it quickly became clear that the openness of the teams is in many ways ostentatious - the true secrets behind the broad backs of mechanics cannot be discerned. In addition, the "top" know-how is hidden inside the engines, transmission units and in electronic control units - where the prying eyes are ordered. But during the three days spent in the Cyprus Rally paddock, I managed to figure out something.
The main difference between WRC cars and ring series cars is the all-metal body and the close relationship of the design with production cars. After all, the "body" cars of the DTM or NASCAR championships are, in fact, prototypes - with composite bodies, only superficially resembling their serial progenitors. But the WRC regulations are stricter restricting alterations to the base car. For example, the position of the motor can be changed by no more than 20 mm ...
Chris Atkinson's Subaru Impreza WRC 2005 hobbled under the corporate blue tents, for which the first racing day ended with a transmission breakdown. Mechanics with hardworking ants stuck around the car and after twenty minutes they dismantled it almost completely - they removed the gearbox, suspension struts, stabilizers, propeller shaft and rear gear... All these units look exactly the same as on ordinary "civilian" cars. Sometimes it's even easier! But the highlight is that the layout and every single detail is perfected.
Excellence is primarily about materials. Lightweight and durable composites are used wherever regulations permit - even for oil pan. The wheel bearings are made of ceramics, the suspension and transmission parts are made of titanium, and the rims are made of magnesium alloy. It remains only to guess what alloys are used for the manufacture of especially loaded parts - for example, pistons of a turbo engine, in which the boost pressure reaches 2-3 bar!
The maximum power of WRC engines is officially limited to no more than 300 hp. But since the technical commission is not able to control it, real performance 10-20% higher. And this despite the fact that the block and cylinder head are made on the basis of serial ones! The 34-mm air restrictor located at the turbine inlet and condemning the engine to oxygen starvation for high revs... But the engine torque is huge. Two-liter turbo engines develop up to 600 Nm - this is more than a five-liter BMW M6 engine. By the way, the “momentary” character of the motor, unique for sports cars, predetermines specific driving tactics - with a minimum number of gear changes. The optimum moment of switching is determined by the control electronics, and the light on the instrument panel serves as a hint for the driver: if it lights up - switch "up"!
It was possible to look into the salon only at the moment when the mechanics were refilling the water tank behind the driver's seat. It feeds the water supply system to the inlet pipeline, which is now actively used in the world rally. Water is sprayed through a special nozzle at a pressure of up to 10 bar, reducing the temperature of the fuel mixture to almost atmospheric. This seemingly simple solution has a striking effect. The heat load of the engine decreases, it becomes less prone to detonation, which allows the boost pressure to rise even higher. True, a five-liter tank is enough for only one section - about 60 km.
Each stage requires special tuning of the engine. For example, before a mountain race, the boost pressure is raised in order to compensate for the drop in atmospheric pressure. Gasoline with octane number 102 all teams are supplied with the same - made by Shell The combustion products are removed by an exhaust system equipped with one or two catalysts and reliable multi-layer ceramic-aluminum thermal insulation. When the "anti-lag" is working, the fuel that turns the turbine burns out directly in exhaust system - tongues of flame burst out of the pipe, and the entire tract becomes red-hot. The exhaust pipes are positioned so as not to be removed when servicing the main units.
The gearbox is a separate story. On modern WRC cars, six- or five-speed gearboxes are used, and recently there has been a tendency to reduce the number of gears - this tactic is dictated by "torque" motors. Gears are shifted using rings or buttons located on the steering wheel hub, and moving "away from you" downshifts. Just in case, the driver has a traditional floor lever at his disposal - in case of electronics failure, it allows you to control the sequential box in "emergency" mode. But if everything is in order, and the process is monitored by the electronics, then the hydraulic actuators in just 35-50 milliseconds open the carbon three-plate clutch with a diameter of about 150 mm and change gear. On the same BMW M6, the robotic gearbox works slower - switching takes at least 60 milliseconds.
On each car, the gearbox is changed on average twice per race. The center and front differentials with electrohydraulic control are installed in the same block with it. The hydraulics regulate the compression force of discs connected to opposing shafts - much like a Haldex coupling. On all cars, except for the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC05 with its ingenuous mechanics, the differentials are controlled by electronic "brains", although the driver can force the differentials to work based on specific conditions. For example, before starting, hard block them - for the most effective overclocking, and later switch to automatic mode.
The modern WRC class car accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in just over four seconds. But the maximum speed is not impressive - 210-220 km / h. But more is not needed: on rally stages, it is not so much the maximum speed that is important as the perfection and reliability of the chassis. The regulation allows considerable freedom in the choice of the scheme and attachment points of the suspension. But over sophisticated multi-link designs, all teams prefer the simplicity and maintainability of the McPherson circuit. To simplify maintenance, sometimes not only the parts of the left and right sides, but also the front and rear suspensions are unified! On dirt rallies - like here in Cyprus - the suspension travel is adjusted to 220 mm. Any electronic systems now banned, although last year the teams used controlled anti-roll bars. Recently, on asphalt rallies, some teams, in particular Peugeot, have tried suspensions without stabilizers at all - coupled with special damper settings.
I was able to observe how the pilots adjusted the shock absorbers right on the track, before the start of the special stage. On some machines - for example, on Subaru - the number of external adjustments reaches four: you can change the resistance for compression and rebound at low and high rod speeds.
And yet the basis of all the basics is the body. The bodies of the WRC cars are made entirely of metal. Composites make only aerodynamic body kit... The body is taken as a basis serial model, more precisely, its main elements - floor, sidewalls, roof pillars ... But these details are also subject to serious revision - for example, in order to accommodate non-standard suspension units and all-wheel drive transmission. A safety cage is welded into the body, which becomes a key element of the power structure. The total length of alloy steel frame pipes reaches 50 meters. The frame not only entangles the living space of the crew, but also connects the attachment points of the suspension.
The flip side of strengthening everything and everyone - excess weight... Therefore, in parallel, designers are constantly looking for excess "fat" and try to get rid of it. For safety reasons, the FIA \u200b\u200beven introduced a limitation of the minimum weight of the body "in metal" - 320 kg, so that its excessive lightening does not compromise safety. But it is almost impossible to control the weight of the "bare" body, but the technical commission checks the curb weight of the car before each stage. According to FIA requirements, a WRC car must weigh at least 1230 kg, and all manufacturers have reached this lower threshold a long time ago. But at the same time, shedding excess "fat" continues. For example, many cars are equipped with lightweight polycarbonate glass panes. The kilograms won thanks to this solution can be used as ballast in certain places of the machine, achieving optimal weight distribution, which affects not only handling, but also tire wear. By the way, not cast iron ingots are used as ballast, but spare parts, wrenches and powerful jacks - everything that may come in handy at the stage.
Engineers think about weight distribution even when placing the crew, moving the seats to the limit back and down. A side effect is disgusting visibility from the driver's seat. And the pilot himself is almost invisible: I was not able to photograph any of the top pilots at the wheel. But the engineers take care of the working conditions of the driver and navigator tirelessly. For example, in "hot" stages like Cyprus and Greece, seat cooling systems (Ford) or even full-fledged air conditioners (Peugeot) appear in cars. In addition, additional air intakes are installed on the roof and in the exterior mirror housings, thermal insulation of the engine shield and the glass is pasted over with a mirror film.
In general wRC cars much closer to the people than the FIA \u200b\u200bGT, DTM, NASCAR or cross country championships, not to mention Formula 1. The main engineering solutions in the rally are simple and straightforward, and space technologies are mainly in the materials used. And even then not in all - after all, the basis of the "world rally car", its body, is made of the same stamped metal as our cars.
Preparing a car for an amateur rally is not as difficult, and not as expensive as it might seem. Autoportal journalists decided to investigate this issue.
Last weekend the stage of the Championship and the Cup of Ukraine in the rally "Kievskaya Rus" (rally results) took place. What needs to be finalized in a car in order to take part in competitions (or, in other words, what cars do athletes drive), and what it will cost - we analyze in the article.
To begin with, cars participating in official competitions must comply with the so-called homologation cards. These maps are approved by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) - they strictly define the allowed changes in the car design.
The main purpose of such restrictions is to create more or less equal technical conditions for different cars (within a class), as well as to comply with safety regulations.
Homologation cards provide competition in skill among pilots, and reduce the dependence of the result on the amount of money invested in the modification of the car.
In addition, the FIA \u200b\u200bstandard imposes requirements for the athlete's equipment, as well as additional equipment.
Rally car classes
In accordance with international classification, "Rally" cars are divided into two groups according to the level of training - N and A. In our country (as, indeed, in many others), a national group has also been introduced - "U"("Ukraine"), with technical requirements more loyal to the "expired homologation".
In turn, each of the groups consists of four classes, the main difference of which is the engine volume.
Cars group N are serial cars (produced with a circulation of at least 2500 copies). They are allowed to modify:
- body,
- injection system,
- adjust the suspension,
- change shock absorbers,
- reprogram the ECU.
Forbidden:
- change the design of the engine,
- suspension geometry.
Cars group A undergo significant changes. In this class, it is allowed to modify:
- body,
- injection system,
- engine design,
- install a sports suspension,
- install a sports gearbox,
- shock absorbers,
- reprogram the ECU,
- etc.
Engine - naturally aspirated up to 1.4 liters. Drive - on one axis. The minimum weight is 790 kg. |
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Engine - naturally aspirated up to 1.6 liters. Maximum power - 200 HP Drive - on one axis. The minimum weight is 880 kg. |
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Engine - naturally aspirated up to 2.0 liters. Drive - on one axis. The minimum weight is 960 kg. |
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Engine - up to 3.5L naturally aspirated or up to 2.0L turbocharged. Maximum power - 300 HP The drive is usually full. The minimum weight is 1230 kg. |
There are also a number of international rally car groups. For example, the group WRC(World Rally Car) - the "top division" of rally cars - allows maximum changes in the design of the car. Group S2000 - a less expensive alternative to the WRC - the cars have a serial body (no limit on the number of doors), a naturally-aspirated engine and a standard all-wheel drive transmission.
In Ukraine, competitions are held in groups N, A and U.
Preparing the car for the rally
To compete in Group N, a few steps are enough. It is required to install:
- roll cage, body reinforcement,
- 4-point seat belts,
- fire safety system,
- locks on the hood and trunk,
- power switch.
It is also necessary to purchase equipment for the driver and navigator: helmets, overalls, gloves.
In more detail, the necessary and permissible alterations are indicated in the homologation card for the model.
Technical requirements for production vehicles (group N).
Unfortunately, there are a number of models, which, due to certain technical features, it is not possible to prepare for the rally (a large number of useful information can be found on the forum).
Lists of valid FIA homologation for sports cars.
And an example of a homologation card for a VAZ-21083. It looks intimidating, but specialists who professionally prepare cars for competitions have the necessary homologation cards.
Now we describe in general terms necessary improvements car.
Body.The car body must be strengthened and, if possible, lightened. To strengthen the body, they install a roll cage (from $ 1500), stabilizers, reinforce the attachment points of the front struts, side members, rear beam, etc. The bottom of the car is also strengthened (especially in the area of \u200b\u200bthe gearbox), kevlar (or other) protection is installed.
The cost of such work - from $2000-5000 .
Suspension.Bringing the car into compliance with group N involves only slight changes in the suspension settings, and for group A, the suspension is completely altered (in accordance with the homologation cards).
At a minimum, they install sports CV joints, shock absorbers, ball joints.
Suspension refinement and brake system will cost $1000-20 000 (and can cost more than $ 25,000).
Transmission. Modification of the transmission depends on the intended group of the car: if in group N it is possible (and necessary) to drive to the "factory" gearbox, then for group A they are used from a shortened main pair to the installation of a sports transmission (plus it is adjusted "for asphalt" or " under gravel "). The clutch disc can be enlarged.
Reinforced highways.Be sure to change the fuel, brake lines to reinforced - reinforced. They also change the fuel tank to a sports one (about $ 800) - it does not allow fuel to flow out.
Engine.The modification of the engine in group N is somewhat limited (for example, the original injection system must be preserved), but it is permissible to reprogram the engine control unit and replace the intake nozzles with more efficient ones. If the engine is turbocharged, the turbine should remain standard.
For cars in group A, "fine-tuning" is allowed piston groups, cylinder heads and more.
Wheels and tires.On rally cars, forged wheels are used, as the most durable and lightest (for example, VILS, VSMPO), although this is not necessary.
Kits of rubber should be: for dry, for wet asphalt, for gravel and for winter.
Safety engineering.Safety requirements are regulated by Appendix J of the FIA \u200b\u200bRules. In accordance with them, it is necessary:
- strengthen the seat mountings (or better - change seats for sports ones),
- install 4-point seat belts,
- cut water holes in the bottom,
- install locks on the hood and trunk,
- install a toggle switch that disconnects the battery,
- install a fire safety system (includes a fire extinguisher and a fire extinguishing system with nozzles aimed at the manifold, fuel rail and at the feet of passengers).
It will cost from $ 500 to $ 4000 and more.
Outcome
Preparation for participation in a rally of group N, for example, a serial rally will cost $2000-5000 .
The cost of preparing a car for group A can "go off scale" well over $ 100,000.
But anyway, the main role in the competition is played not by the budget for preparing the car, but by the skill of the pilot and navigator.
The editors would like to thank Sergey Dyshkant (Shock Motorsport team) for help in preparing the material
