In relation to motorsport governed by the
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA; ) is an international organisation with two primary functions surrounding use of the automobile. Its mobility division advocacy, advocates the interests of motoring organisations, the automot ...
, Group R refers to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for
rally
Rally or rallye may refer to:
Gatherings
* Political demonstration, a political rally, a political demonstration of support or protest, march, or parade
* Pep rally, an event held at a North American school or college sporting event
Sport ...
competition. The Group R regulations were gradually introduced from 2008 as a replacement for
Group A
Group A is a set of motorsport regulations administered by the FIA covering production derived touring cars for competition, usually in touring car racing and rallying. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, Group A vehicles wer ...
and
Group N rally cars.
To comply with Group R regulations, a car must first be homologated in Group A (or in some cases Group N) and receive one or more VR extensions. Each VR extension is a set of homologated parts and modifications, designed and sold (as a kit or as a complete car) by the manufacturer.
As part of its structure, the Group R regulations have a provision for
GT cars, known as
R-GT.
Classes
Group R consists of six classes, designated R1, R2, R3, R4,
R5 and R-GT; some of these groups contain their own sub-groups, with cars allocated to each group based on their weight, engine size and powertrain.
The first batch of rules, which were introduced in 2008, featured the R1, R2 and R3 classes. These were restricted to two-wheel drive cars with atmospheric engines up to 2000cc. Supercharged engines were allowed only in R3T (petrol) and R3D (diesel) sub-classes. Since 2015 the R1, R2 and R3 classes allow supercharged engines with a 1.5 equivalency factor for displacement.
Additional regulations were issued in 2011 which covered the R4 and R-GT classes; the R4 was conceived as an evolutionary step for previously-homologated Group N4 cars, turbocharged, all-wheel drive cars based on production models. The R4 class is for cars competing under
Group N regulations for production cars prior to
2013
2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years).
2013 was designated as:
*International Year of Water Cooperation
*International Year of Quinoa
Events
January
* January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
. No new models would be homologated under R4 regulations, with the FIA taking the long-term view that these would be replaced by bespoke kit cars. The R4 Kit cars have a standard engine, four-wheel drive powertrain and suspension. In January 2017, French racecar manufacturer
Oreca was selected as supplier.
R-GT was introduced to allow
Grand Touring cars that competed in
sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of motorsport road racing that uses sports cars with two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be either purpose-built Sports prototype, sports prototypes, which are the highest level in sports car racing; or grand to ...
to enter rallies. The R5 class was designed to replace
Super 2000
Super 2000 is an Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA powertrain specification used in the World Rally Championship, the British Touring Car Championship, the World Touring Car Championship, and other touring car racing, touring car ...
cars, and its regulations were introduced in 2013. Prior to 2014, there was no specific championship for cars entered under R-GT regulations, and R-GT cars were ineligible to score points in any existing championship outside the
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship (abbreviated as WRC) is an international rallying series owned and governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA. Inaugurated in 1973, it is the oldest FIA world championship after Formula One. E ...
. The FIA R-GT Cup for R-GT cars started in 2015, sharing some events from the
WRC and
ERC events.
The World Rally Championship has historically had specific support championships that each class has been eligible for.
Cars classified as R1, R2 and R3 contested the
WRC3 for two-wheel drive cars between 2013 and 2018; specially-prepared R3T, later R2B cars, were also used in the
Junior WRC. Cars classified as R5 compete in
WRC2
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA WRC2 is a support championship of the World Rally Championship (WRC). The calendar consists of the same rallies and stages as the parent series and crews usually compete immediately after Rally ...
; and WRC3 in 2020 and 2021, whilst regional championships may allow R5 alongside existing
Super 2000
Super 2000 is an Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA powertrain specification used in the World Rally Championship, the British Touring Car Championship, the World Touring Car Championship, and other touring car racing, touring car ...
and
Group N Production Cars. Cars classified as R-GT competed in the
R-GT Cup until it ceased at the end of the 2022 competition.
Summary
Models
The following models have been
homologated by the FIA under Group R regulations:
R1
R2
R3
R4
Based on Group N
New vehicles under the FIA R4 Kit project in partnership with
Oreca:
R5
Cars approved for competition in the
WRC2
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA WRC2 is a support championship of the World Rally Championship (WRC). The calendar consists of the same rallies and stages as the parent series and crews usually compete immediately after Rally ...
and other R5 based championships:
Cars that are homologated with national ASNs may compete at national level, or with FIA approval may compete in FIA Regional Championships (
European Rally Trophy,
African Rally Championship,
Asia-Pacific Rally Championship,
Codasur South American Rally Championship and
NACAM Rally Championship), as per Article 12.3 of the FIA Regional Rally Sporting Regulations:
R-GT
Notes
References
{{Class of Auto racing
*Group R
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
Rally groups