Aero chronicle of Rally Sardegna 2020
This article is dedicated to the memory of Laura Salvo. RIP Brake cooling issues, Loubet’s aero learning process, the Ford
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Author: llluis555
Modifications of the Ford Fiesta WRC’s front air package
Updated on October 6th, 2020 at the endof the article Two weeks after the Toyota and Hyundai development tests held
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Aero issues of Rally Turkey 2020
In a rally where punctures and dust played key roles, the cooling improvements, the reliability of the aero parts and
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Aero issues of Rally Estonia 2020
The return of the World Rally Championship after a six-months halt brought many aero issues to consider: from haybales to
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Why a higher ride height becomes a problem for Toyota in Rally Turkey?
The Toyota Gazoo Racing started yesterday the Rally Turkey pre-event tests in the area of Loutraki. One of the main
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Aero issues of the weekend: from M-Sport event to Lõuna-Eesti Ralli
The activity in the World Rally Championship is slowly returning to normality. After the Rally Estonia pre-event tests developed in
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Aero development continues for Toyota at Rally Estonia pre-event test
Toyota has been the first team to develop the Rally Estonia pre-event test, during this week. Elfyn Evans and Scott
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Mitsubishi Lancer WRC04 aero design and performance
The last evolution of the successful Mitsubishi Lancer to take part in the World Rally Championship (named as WRC04 and
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Hyundai tests additional front aero modifications in Finland
The week of development tests for Hyundai and Toyota in Central Finland keeps giving images of the new aero modifications
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Toyota development test in Central Finland
Toyota started yesterday a series of development tests in Central Finland, close to the location where Hyundai has resumed today
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Hyundai tests a new modification at the rear of the i20 Coupé WRC in Finland
Today the WRC stage activity interruption came to an end when the team Hyundai started a series of development tests
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Suspension, grip and aerodynamics
The main goal of suspension is to ensure optimal contact of the wheel with the road to get maximum grip.
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Aerodynamics and cooling for the Safari Rally in the old days
The recent confirmation of the cancellation of the 2020 edition of the iconic Rally Safari means that we will have
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Jari-Matti Latvala on the aero of old, current and future WRC cars
We continue our series of interviews with WRC drivers, as we recently did with Mads Østberg. Hearing the point of
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A rear wing is not a spoiler
The aero device most of WRC cars have above the boot lid, over the rear window or at the rear
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Updated WRC Homologation joker list
Early this week the FIA published the updated list of Homologation Vehicles and extension (20.04.2020 version) with the detail of
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Aero review of the Subaru Motorsport USA rally experience: the early years
The 2020 season will be the 20th season of the Subaru Motorsport USA engagement in the National Rally Championship, since
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Hyundai Accent WRC aerodynamics
Hyundai’s first approach to the rally world came as early as 1991, following Wayne Bell participation in some Australian events
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Mads Østberg interview on the aero of current and future WRC cars
Due to the current interruption of the 2020 WRC season, we wanted to spend some time to reflect on topics
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WRC cars’ brakes cooling airflow review: air removal
In a previous post, we reviewed how fresh air is forced into the brakes of a WRC car for cooling
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WRC cars’ brakes cooling airflow review
The heat that WRC cars’ brakes generate by friction needs to be cooled down to keep their performance consistent and
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Aero issues of Rally Mexico 2020: new Hyundai i20 Coupé WRC aero package and more
The new aero package of the Hyundai i20 Coupé WRC was the most visible aero issue of the 2020 edition
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Analysis and optimization of a WRC car by CFD – the Airshaper tool
The aerodynamics of a WRC car can be analyzed & optimized through numerical simulation (CFD – computational fluid dynamics), experimentation
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Hyundai evaluates significant aero modifications in Rally Mexico pre-event tests
The Rally Mexico pre-event tests started this week with the Toyota Gazoo Racing team in Almeria, Spain, as no tests
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Aero issues during Rally Sweden 2020
Rally Sweden 2020 was finally run under very difficult circumstances, and again some aero issues took place during the event.
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Aerodynamics of Rally Sweden
In spite of the special conditions this year, Rally Sweden continues to be one of the most specific events of
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Toyota starts testing the Yaris WRC design for 2021
Last Friday and Saturday, Toyota Gazoo Racing Team has been developing the first tests of the Yaris WRC design for
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Aero issues during Rallye Monte Carlo 2020
During the 2020 edition of Rally Monte Carlo, different issues related to aerodynamics have taken place, which are worth to
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Evolved rear diffuser for the Hyundai i20 Coupé WRC in Monte Carlo
As expected, Hyundai has introduced a new version of the rear diffuser for the i20 Coupé WRC car since the
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Are the current WRC cars’ aero devices really original?
One of the main characteristics of the current WRC car generation is the use of multiple aero devices in every
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End of year graphic review of innovative uses of WRC aero devices
The 2017 WRC car generation is well known by the use of big aero appendices, such as dive planes, side
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Potential aero improvements for the current WRC car generation
According to the first comments of the new Toyota drivers (Rovanperä, Evans and Ogier) after their first contact with the
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Hyundai opens pre2020 season tests with aero modifications for the i20 Coupé WRC
Updated on December 5th, 2019, with new images from Loeb/Elena tests The first images from the tests Hyundai is developing
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Aero development of the Citroën C3 WRC (2017-2019)
The decision of Citroën to quit the World Rally Championship at the end of the present season means the end
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Stage results confirm effectiveness of WRC Hyundai and Toyota 2019 aero modifications
Our recent review of the 2019 WRC aero modifications showed that the main changes were implemented by Hyundai and Toyota,
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2019 Balance of WRC Aero modifications, test days and jokers
Season 2019 is done, It is then the moment to take a look at all the aero modifications teams have
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Rear cooling in RX Supercars
One of the most significative differences between WRC and RX cars (apart from the engine power) is the different location
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Rally Catalunya 2019 stage results and aero review
The 2019 edition of the Rally Catalunya, the last on mixed surface, has been at the height of the best
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Aero review of Sunday’s Rally Catalunya 2019 stages
In this final post, we will review, the characteristics of Sunday’s Rally Catalunya 2019 stages and the significance of the
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Aero review of Saturday’s Rally Catalunya 2019 stages
In this post, we will review, the characteristics of Saturday’s Rally Catalunya 2019 stages and the significance of the aero
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Aero review of Friday’s Rally Catalunya 2019 stages
The 2019 edition of the Rally Catalunya is due to start in the next hours. Nine different stages will be
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How aerodynamics of WRC cars change in a mixed surface event: Rally Catalunya 2019
Rally Catalunya has been the only event in the season with a combination of gravel and tarmac stages since 2010.
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Review of the Citroën C3 WRC aero test development in Catalunya pre-event tests
All pictures included corresponding to the Rally Catalunya pre-event tests held in the second week of October 2019. Citroën Racing
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WRC results in the fastest stages and aero balance
It is widely accepted that the higher the speed, the higher the role aero plays in its performance. Based on
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Toyota Yaris WRC modified rear wing for Rally Turkey
First images from Marmaris service park confirm that Toyota has introduced some significant modifications to the rear wing of the
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Modifications in the successful Toyota Yaris WRC in Rally Deutschland
The excellent team results obtained by Toyota in recent Rallye Deutschland, where they finished first, second and third) confirms the
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Toyota proposal of a modified rear wing for the Yaris WRC
The recent controversy on WRC rear wings that arose after Rally Finland might already have generated the first consequences, and
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Subaru Impreza WRC03 aero and rally performance
Only nine months after the introduction of the Subaru Impreza WRC01 into the World Rally Championship, Subaru and Prodrive decided
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Controversy on WRC rear wing dimensions and shape
As AUTOhebdo.fr, Autosport and Rallye Magazin published earlier this week, there seems to be some controversy with the dimensions and/or
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Post Rally Finland 2019 aero review
2019 edition of Rally Finland ended up yesterday with the results we all know: Toyota dominated most of the rally,
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2019 Rally Finland pre-event tests aero review
Far from taking holidays, the long six-week break between Sardegna and Finald have been used by all WRC teams to
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Aerodynamics of the new Ford Fiesta R5 Mk2
Last June, M-Sport and Ford announced the introduction of the all-new EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta R5, also known as Mk2. Based
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Hyundai tests a modified front aero package in Finland
Updated on July 15th During the first week of July, Hyundai developed a series of tests to evaluate some modifications
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Internal flow in a WRC car: engine cooling
The main goals of the aero design of a WRC car include to reduce drag and to generate downforce while
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Dust flow visualization images from Rally Portugal
Dust is a nightmare when you’re attending at some gravel events. But, at the same time, it can be very
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Aero modifications in the new Škoda Fabia R5 Evo
After five years of success in the WRC2 Championship, as well as in many National and Area Championships, the Škoda
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World Rallycross supercars rear wing comparative
After our review of how RX Supercars generate downforce at the car front, we will cover in this post the
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Toyota tests new air intakes for rear brake cooling of the Yaris WRC in Rally Portugal pre-event tests
During last weekend the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC team has been developing their pre-event tests in preparation of Rally Portugal,
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Rallycross Supercars Aerodynamics: generating downforce from the car front
World Rallycross top category cars, also known as RX supercar, represents a parallel category to that of WRC cars, with
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Roof scoops in WRC cars
Temperature and dust are some of the most annoying factors for drivers and co-drivers in summer and/or gravel events. The
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Aerodynamics of WRC2 cars: Hyundai i20 R5
The decision taken by Hyundai in 2015 that it was time for enhancing their global motorsport image was the origin
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2019 WRC Aero development after the first 4 events
The World Rally Teams and drivers have almost covered one third of the season 2019, and, most important, all the
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Understeering and aerodynamics of a WRC car
Understeering was the second issue most cited during the last Tour de Corse… the first being puncture. Aerodynamics have little
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Aerodynamics of WRC2 cars: Citroën C3 R5
One year after the debut of the car in the Tour de Corse 2018, it’s time to review the aerodynamics
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Aero modification on the front of the Ford Fiesta WRC in Mexico
Updated in March 9th, 2019 M-Sport surprised everybody with the announcement through social media of the introduction of modifications in
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Impact of altitude on the aerodynamics of WRC cars
The coming rallies of Mexico and Argentina include some of the stages at a higher elevation of all the season.
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Aerodynamics of lamp pods in WRC cars
Night stages have become rather unusual in the current Championship, while, not many years ago (last one was in 1996)
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Aerodynamics of WRC2 cars: VW Polo GTI R5
Volkswagen Motorsport shocked twice the WRC world in the last decade: the first shock started in January 2013, when they
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Hyundai starts tests in Sweden for the improvement of the i20 WRC Coupé
After two months of intense redesign and testing work, the new season started with the 87th edition of the Rallye
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Aerodynamics of WRC2 cars: Škoda Fabia R5
The Škoda Fabia R5 is the most successful car in the motorsport history of Škoda Auto. It was the successor
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Citroën continues with the aero development of the C3 WRC for 2019
The final day of the tests carried out this week in Southern France by Citroën Racing WRT, with Esapekka Lappi
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Aero development of Citroën, M-Sport and Toyota in their pre-2019 WRC season tests
Updated December 12th, 2018 The preseason test period started a few days after the end of Rally Australia 2081, with
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WRC2 technical regulations, history and new Championships for 2019
The recent announcements by FIA on the creation of the WRC2 Pro Championship for registered manufacturers in 2019 in parallel to existing WRC2 Championship, now restricted to privateers, should be the definitive push of the top supporting championship. This article is an introduction to the WRC2 category and the first of a series of posts devoted at the aero of the WRC2 cars. We start with a quick review of technical regulations, history and new 2019 WRC2 Championships definition.
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Reliability of aero devices in 2018 WRC cars: Ott Tänak and M-Sport are the winners of our 2018 trophies
For the second year in a row (see last year review and awards), here’s our review on the reliability of
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2018 Aero jokers review, or how the WRC teams arrive to the decisive Rally Australia
Updated on Nov. 15th with new engine joker for Neuville’s car, and on Nov. 5th with WRC car homologation info
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Seat Córdoba WRC: an unfinished story
The Seat Córdoba WRC was the culmination of the rallying experience the Spanish manufacturer accumulated since the 70s. Built after
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Review of the Ford Fiesta WRC new rear diffuser
The new Ford Fiesta WRC aero kit introduced in the Rally Finland, and that probably will be used again by
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WRC car homologation
All current WRC car generation were homologated by FIA in December 2016, so that homologation was valid since January 1st,
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Hayden Paddon’s new Hyundai i20 AP4++ aerodynamic proposals
Since 2016, New Zealander Hayden Paddon has been combining its presence in the WRC with some participation in his home
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Wheels impact on the aerodynamics of a WRC car: deflectors and wheel diffusers.
Wheels have a significant impact on the aerodynamic performance of any car, and also on WRC cars, in spite of
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Subaru Impreza WRC 2001/2002
After the success of the Subaru Impreza since its launching in 1992, Fuji Heavy Industries decided, as early as in
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Aerodynamics of WRC cars sideways: endplates and vertical fins
One specific characteristic of rally cars is that drivers make them slide when cornering, to better position the car for
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Why the new Ford Fiesta WRC 2018 have such big rear wheel arch extensions?
The recent modification of the Ford Fiesta WRC before Rally of Finland has put the spotlight on the size of
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Rally Finland 2003: Ford Focus RS WRC03 vs Peugeot 206 WRC
The 2003 edition of the Rally Finland saw one of the tightest battles between the successful Peugeot 206 WRC, which
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New rear aero design for the Ford Fiesta WRC 2018 for Rally Finland
Updated: August 10th, 2018 This post includes our review of the modifications evaluated in the Ford Fiesta WRC during the
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Ford Focus WRC: the start of a new era for Ford (1999-2003)
The new Ford Focus road car was launched in July 1998 in Europe, as the successor of the glorious Escort.
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Marcus Grönholm led Peugeot back to success with the 206 WRC
It was December 1997, just eleven years after the last rally win in the World Championship by Peugeot with the
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Two front splitter configuration for the Citroën C3 WRC in the Rally of Portugal 2018
During the recently finished Rally of Portugal, all three Citroën C3 WRC cars driven by Kris Meeke, Craig Breen and
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Deconstruction of the Ford Fiesta WRC car aero test in the wind tunnel
Recent aero test of the Ford Fiesta WRC developed in the wind tunnel of Windshear in Concord, near Charlotte, NC
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Exhaust blown diffusers in WRC
One of the most significant aero modifications of the current WRC car generation unveiled in 2017 was the inclusion of
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Pre-Argentina 2018 WRC gravel tests
After the Tour de Corse, teams have started their preparation for a series of 4 rallies on gravel (Argentina, Portugal,
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Ford Escort WRC: Ford transition to the new century
The introduction of the WRC concept for 1997 posed a dilemma for Ford: the new model (Focus) was still in
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Aero details of 2018 WRC cars
The regulations for the current WRC car generation set that current car configuration will be maintained during the period 2017-2019,
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI and TME: last success of the Mitsubishi and Mäkinen combination (Lancer Evo part III)
As we saw in a previous post, 1998 was the most successful season in the history of Mitsubishi and Ralliart
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Mads Østberg interview and aerodynamics in a WRC jump
Colin’s crest in Sweden, Micky’s jump in Sardinia, Fafe in Portugal or El Brinco in Mexico, are some of the
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2018 WRC winter tests: time for side mirrors review
The tests the WRC teams have been developing during 2018 winter, for the preparation of the first three rallies of
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Dive planes in 2018 WRC rally cars
Snowbanks in the recent Rally of Sweden has put once again in trouble the refined aerodynamic design of the 2017
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1997: And Toyota came back with the Corolla WRC
Toyota had been banned from participating in the World Rally Championship in 1996, after the discovery of a tricky bypass
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Dan Gurney footprint in 2018 WRC cars
The figure of Dan Gurney, who unfortunately left us this week, will be remembered both for his sporting successes and
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Aerodynamic fine tuning in January’18 WRC tests
Since the first week of 2018, WRC Teams have been working hard in different road tests to get the cars
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