The
FIA WRC2 is a support championship of 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 ...
(WRC). The calendar consists of the same rallies and stages as the parent series and crews usually compete immediately after Rally1 class crews. WRC2 is limited to production-based cars homologated under
Group Rally2
Group Rally2 is a technical specification of rally car determined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA. It features 1.6L turbo engines, four-wheel drive and a maximum weight-to-power ratio of 4.2kg/hp. Rally2 cars are used in t ...
(or previous
R5) rules. There are separate specific championship titles awarded to Teams, Drivers and Co-Drivers (including titles for ''Challengers'' in 2023, previously for Juniors under 30 years old).
WRC2 began in 2013, replacing the
Super 2000 World Rally Championship
The FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship (also SWRC) was a support championship of the World Rally Championship (WRC) that ran for three seasons from 2010 to 2012.
It was introduced to provide a series for the Super 2000 (S2000) specification ...
(SWRC) as the series performance car based championship in a rearrangement of the WRC support categories that also saw the existing
Production car World Rally Championship
The FIA Production car World Rally Championship, or PWRC, was a companion rally series to the World Rally Championship, contested mainly by Group N rally cars.
History
The series started in 1987 as ''FIA Cup for Production Rally Drivers'' and ...
(PWRC) and WRC Academy make way for WRC3 and Junior WRC.
History
In early 2012, the FIA annulled the contract in place with WRC's promotor ''North One Sports'' following its owners collapse into administration. After a tender process, the
FIA World Motor Sport Council
The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) is a part of the governance structure of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. It has responsibility for all aspects of international motor sport. It meets at least three times a year to decide on r ...
approved a new promotor in September of that year, a collaboration between Sportsman Media and Red Bull, with responsibility for all commercial matters of the championship, with power to assist in forming the calendar and proposing new rallies, and suggesting altering of rules and regulations and structure of the championships. It was also announced that another WRC tenderer,
Eurosport Events, then the promotor and owner of the
Intercontinental Rally Challenge
The Intercontinental Rally Challenge was an Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA-sanctioned rallying series organised by SRW Events and Eurosport, Eurosport Events, and aimed to "give new opportunities to young or amateur rally drivers ...
(IRC), would become the promotor of a revamped
FIA European Rally Championship from 2013. The IRC was a challenger series to the WRC in global rallying and ceased at the end of 2012.
At the same September WMSC meeting, the FIA announced changes to the WRC's support championships in order "''to reflect the interests and demands of the competitors",'' with WRC2 and WRC3 replacing SWRC and PWRC. Unlike the old, the new support championships were not ''world championships'' in their own right, beholden to
FIA International Sporting Code rules applicable to championships including the word ''world'' in their titles. These rules influenced the make up of the calendar and commitment from the entrants. For this reason it is asserted that WRC2 cannot be an acronym for ''World Rally Championship 2'' and its champions are not ''world'' champions. Indeed, in 2013 and 2014, ''World Rally Championship 2'' was officially used only once in the sporting regulations, and since 2015 has not been used by either the FIA or its promotor.
WRC 2 (2013–2018)
In the new WRC2 of 2013, entrants could nominate round-by-round for the first time which rallies they would be competing in and could choose any rally included in the WRC calendar with no minimum commitment or any requirement to compete in rallies outside Europe. By the end of the first season, it was noted by the FIA that the support championships were more popular than ever. Thirteen drivers scored championship points in
2012's SWRC, compared to 36 in
2013's WRC2.
With the introduction of the R5 in
Group R
In relation to motorsport governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, Group R refers to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for Rallying, rally competition. The Group R regulations were gradually introduce ...
in 2013, the eligibility of the SWRC was extended to allow R5 and four wheel drive Group N cars into WRC2, alongside Super-2000, Regional Rally Cars (RRC) and R4. This essentially merged the four-wheel drive and performance cars of PWRC and SWRC back into one competition whilst WRC3 championship was for two wheel drive cars. Between 2013 and 2015 two additional cup titles were also contested by those driving Group N cars, WRC 2 Production Car Cup for Drivers and Co-Drivers.
Overhaul of the WRC support championships (2019–2021)
Changes to the structure of the WRC support championships were made by the FIA ahead of the 2019 season, coinciding with approval and implementation of a new
rally pyramid
The FIA Rally Pyramid is the collective description and organisation of championships, car performance classes and driver aptitude in international rallying. In 2019 the FIA rally commission presented a radical overhaul to the rally pyramid to in ...
that emphasised tiers of corresponding numbers of classes, cars and competitions.
The eligibility rules of WRC 2 were changed so that only R5 cars could enter in 2019. Further, Super-2000, Group N and R4 could no longer enter the WRC at all. Simultaneously, the R5 class was renamed ''Rally2'', which appeared in official regulations from 2020.
Meanwhile, the existing WRC 3 championship for two-wheel drive cars ceased after 2018, and WRC 2 was split into a championship for manufacturer teams called WRC 2 Pro; and a championship for privateer driver entries, which retained the name WRC 2.
WRC 2 Pro (2019)
WRC 2 Pro was introduced in
2019
This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year.
Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...
as a means of encouraging manufacturer entries to join the category and in response to complaints that privateers could not compete with the resources of the factory teams.
Entirely separate manufacturer, driver and co-driver championships were created. Competing in cars built to R5 specifications, manufacturer teams were permitted to enter up to two crews per event. Entries had to contest a minimum of eight rallies, including one outside Europe. Only the eight best results would contribute to the championship.
The WRC 2 Pro series was abandoned after only one year following criticism that the structure was too difficult to understand. Also, no new manufacturers had been attracted as desired. Of the three 2019 entrants, M-Sport Ford and Citroën had free entry courtesy of being in the WRC Manufacturer's championship. Somewhat against the intentions of the two championships, M-Sport Ford nominated customer owner-drivers whilst Citroën nominated an independent team,
PH Sport
PH Sport is a motorsport services company based in Langres, France, established in 1990. The company has a history of entering national and international rallies and championships such as the World Rally Championship, often in close cooperation ...
, to run their entry with a customer driver. Conversely, M-Sport Ford and Å koda were supporting Eric Camilli and Fabian Kreim respectively as privateer entries in the privateer oriented WRC 2.
Å koda, the only paying entrant and victor, withdrew from entering WRC from 2020, instead supporting
Toksport
Toksport WRT is a motorsport preparation and race team based at the Nürburgring in Quiddelbach, Germany. The team has prepared cars for, and entered events in 26 motorsport championships around the globe and has won notable FIA championships ...
entries. However, it is not clear if Å koda's withdrawal was the cause of, effect of, or related to any changes in the championships.
Revival of one WRC2 and WRC3 (2020–2021)
From 2020 to 2021, WRC2 was for manufacturer and independent teams approved by the FIA. Privateer drivers could only enter a new version of WRC3 for Rally2 cars in 2020 and 2021, which included budget restraints and restrictions on who could enter based on previous successes.
The rally results service
eWRC-Results advocates for the purpose of stats and comparison, that WRC3 in these years is a continuation of the 2019 WRC2 series, with the 2019 WRC 2 Pro being the origin of a new championship which became WRC2 in these years. However this method of thinking would place the winner of four WRC 2 Teams Championships from 2015 to 2018, the manufacturer Å koda, in the privateer continuation. It also doesn't account for the merge of the championships from 2022.
One Rally2 support series (2022–)
Following the launch of Group Rally3 cars in 2021, the 2022 WRC3 Championship became exclusively for those cars. WRC2 expanded to allow privateer drivers of Rally2 cars. Specific WRC2 championship titles for Juniors and cup titles for Masters were also created, although the WRC2 Masters category would be replaced by a WRC Masters Cup in 2023.
Evolution of eligibility
Rules
In the
2023 season teams and individuals may enter WRC2. To score in the WRC2 Championship for Teams on any rally teams must enter and start with two cars. Teams may enter a maximum of 6 rallies in Europe with the best 5 results contributing to the championship points. Teams are also permitted to enter a seventh rally outside Europe for bonus points.
Drivers and/or Co-Drivers must enter a maximum 7 rallies and the best 6 results contribute to championship points. Drivers will be considered as a ''Challenger'' (thus eligible for the Challenger championships) if they have not previously won WRC2 or WRC3 in a Rally2 car or scored WRC Manufacturer points. Power Stage points are awarded to the fastest three drivers, on a 3, 2 then 1 point basis.
Teams, drivers and co-drivers need to indicate on the entry form for each rally if they intend to nominate it as one of their scoring rounds. For this reason (and the requirement for teams to enter two cars), it is not unusual for teams, drivers and co-drivers to enter multiple rounds yet nominate and score points in different rounds to each other. Prior to the introduction of nominated events, the first 7 results counted which may have encouraged non-participation on certain events.
Eligible models

The following Rally2 or R5 cars are currently eligible for entry into WRC2:
* Ford Fiesta Rally2
* Å koda Fabia Rally2 Evo
* Hyundai i20 N Rally2
* Citroën C3 Rally2
* Toyota GR Yaris Rally2
*
Citroën DS3 R5
The Citroën DS3 R5 is a R5 rally car built by Citroën Racing, based upon the Citroën DS3 road car. The car made its WRC debut at the 2014 Rally Italia Sardegna
The 2014 Rally Italia Sardegna was the sixth round of the 2014 World Rally Cham ...
*
Citroën C3 R5
Citroën ()The double-dot diacritic over the 'e' is a diaeresis () indicating the two vowels are sounded separately, and not as a diphthong. is a French automobile brand. The "Automobiles Citroën" manufacturing company was founded on 4 June 19 ...
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Ford Fiesta R5
The Ford Fiesta R5 is a rally car built by M-Sport and based upon the Ford Fiesta ST road car. It was the first car homologated under the R5 regulations that were introduced in 2013. The Fiesta R5 made its competitive début in 2013 and has comp ...
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Hyundai i20 R5
The Hyundai i20 R5 is a rally car built by Hyundai Motorsport and based upon the Hyundai i20 road car. It is built to R5 regulations. The i20 R5 made its competitive début at the 2016 Tour de Corse, where it was driven by Kevin Abbring and Seb ...
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Peugeot 208 T16 R5
The Peugeot 208 T16 is an R5 rally car developed by Peugeot Sport. It is based upon the Peugeot 208 road car and is the successor of the successful Peugeot 207 S2000.
ERC Victories
:
See also
* Ford Fiesta R5
* Citroën DS3 R5
* Å koda Fabia R ...
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Å koda Fabia R5
The Škoda Fabia R5 is a rally car built by Škoda Motorsport. It is based upon the Škoda Fabia road car and is built to R5 (rallying), R5 regulations. It made its competition début in 2015 as a successor to the Škoda Fabia S2000. The car pro ...
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Volkswagen Polo GTI R5
The Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 is a rally car built by Volkswagen Motorsport and based upon the Volkswagen Polo road car. It is built to R5 regulations and is a successor to the Volkswagen Polo R WRC. The Polo GTI R5 made its competitive début at th ...
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Proton Iriz R5
Historic eligibility
The following Super 2000 rally cars were eligible to compete in WRC2 up to the end of 2018:
*
Fiat Grande Punto Abarth S2000
*
Ford Fiesta S2000
The Ford Fiesta S2000 is a Super 2000 rally car built by M-Sport. It is based upon the Ford Fiesta road car. It made its racing debut at the 2010 Monte Carlo Rally, 78th Rallye Monte Carlo in 2010, with factory team M-Sport and drivers Mikko Hirv ...
*
Peugeot 207 S2000
The Peugeot 207 S2000 is a Super 2000 rally car developed by Peugeot Sport. It is based upon the Peugeot 207 road car. Drivers Enrique GarcÃa Ojeda, Nicolas Vouilloz and Kris Meeke won the Intercontinental Rally Challenge
The Intercontinental ...
*
Å koda Fabia S2000
The Å koda Fabia S2000 is a Super 2000 rally car built by Å koda Motorsport. It is based upon the Å koda Fabia road car.
History
It made its début at Rallye Monte Carlo 2009, with factory team Škoda Motorsport and drivers Jan Kopecký and ...
*
Toyota Auris S2000
*
Volkswagen Polo S2000
The Volkswagen Polo is a supermini car (B-segment) produced by the German car manufacturer Volkswagen since 1975. It is sold in Europe and other markets worldwide in hatchback, sedan (automobile), saloon, and station wagon, estate variants throug ...
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MG ZR S2000
*
Opel Corsa S2000
*
Proton Satria Neo S2000
The Proton Satria is a hatchback automobile produced by Malaysian manufacturer Proton from 1994 to 2005 in the first generation model and from 2006 to 2015 in the Satria Replacement Model (SRM), known as the Proton Satria Neo.
The name ''Satria' ...
The following RRC (Regional Race Car) were eligible to compete in WRC2 up to the end of 2018:
* Citroën DS3 RRC
*
Ford Fiesta RRC
The Ford Fiesta RS WRC is the World Rally Car built for the Ford World Rally Team by Ford Europe and M-Sport for use in the World Rally Championship 2011–2016. It is based upon the Ford Fiesta road car, and replaced the Ford Focus RS WRC, which ...
*
Mini John Cooper Works S2000
The following cars were eligible to compete under the R4 or N4 rules up to the end of 2018:
*
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, popularly referred to as the "Evo", is a sports sedan and rally car based on the Lancer that was manufactured by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors from 1992 until 2016. There have been ten official versions ...
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is the tenth and final generation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Lancer Evolution, a sports sedan produced by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors, designed by Omer Halilhodžić.
By September 2005, Mits ...
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Subaru Impreza STi
Champions
Drivers' Championships
WRC2
WRC 2 Pro
WRC2 Junior & Challenger
Statistics
;By driver's country
;By manufacturer
See also
*
WRC3
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA WRC3 is a support championship of the World Rally Championship. The calendar consists of the same rallies and stages as the parent series and crews usually compete immediately after World Rall ...
*
Junior WRC
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Production World Rally Championship
The FIA Production car World Rally Championship, or PWRC, was a companion rally series to the World Rally Championship, contested mainly by Group N rally cars.
History
The series started in 1987 as ''FIA Cup for Production Rally Drivers'' and ...
*
FIA 2-Litre World Rally Cup
The ''FIA 2-Litre World Rally Cup'' was a sub-section of the World Rally Championship from 1993 to 1999. It involved mostly or , naturally aspirated, front wheel drive cars. The series was discontinued due to high costs, and the new Super 2000 ...
Footnotes
References
External links
WRC2 at WRC.com
{{Main world championships
*
Recurring sporting events established in 2013