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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Author: llluis555
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 de
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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 (2017-2021)
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/Paul Nagle, Craig Breen/Steve
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Deconstruction of the Ford Fiesta WRC car aero test in the wind tunnel
The recent aero test of the Ford Fiesta WRC developed in the wind tunnel of Windshear in Concord, near Charlotte,
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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 and the aerodynamics in a WRC jump (republished)
Colin’s crest in Sweden, Micky’s jump in Sardinia, Fafe in Portugal or El Brinco in México, 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 the 2018 winter, for the preparation of the first three rallies
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Dive planes in 2018 WRC rally cars
Snowbanks in the recent Rally Sweden has put once again in trouble the refined aerodynamic design of the 2017 WRC
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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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Subaru Impreza WRC and the WRC concept
The homologation of a group A car, until 1996, was a long and expensive process, as the production of 2500
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Minimal modifications in WRC December’17 tests
December was supposed to be the month when all teams should reveal their novelties for the 2018 season, mainly while
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VW Polo WRC: aerodynamics of the great absent in 2017 versus competitors
Now that VW has initiated tests for the Polo GTI R5, it is worth to review the design of the
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV and V or how a group A car could beat the WRC (Lancer Evo part II)
The 1997 season brought a major change in the rules of the World Championship, with the birth of the World
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Toyota Yaris WRC wins the 2017 Aero Reliability Trophy
The reliability of new aerodynamic appendices was one of the main concerns the designers of new cars had in mind
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Toyota Yaris WRC first tests for 2018
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Team has started the test program for the development of new modifications for the 2018 Yaris
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Additional aero modifications for Neuville’s Hyundai i20 Coupé WRC in Wales’17
Published on November 2, 2017 After introducing significant aerodynamic changes in the cars aligned in Rally Catalunya, affecting the dive
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Underbody aerodynamics of the 2017 WRC cars
With the new regulations for 2017, the WRC undercar aerodynamics have been the object of deep study from all teams,
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and Tommi Makinen mastered the WRC in the 90s (Lancer Evo part I)
Mitsubishi launched the fourth generation of the Lancer model in October 1991. One year later, based on the GSR 1.8
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Citroën tests aerodynamic modifications for the 2018 C3 WRC
Citroën’s Team principal Yves Matton declared in mid-summer that their priority was since then to prepare for the 2018 season.
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Hyundai introduces aerodynamic modifications in pre-Catalunya’17 tests
Hyundai Motorsport has officially started this week (first week of September) the tests for the preparation of Rally Catalunya, with
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Mitsubishi Galant VR4, the base for Lancer Evo dominance in the WRC
Mitsubishi appearances in the WRC started in Africa, as Toyota, Datsun or Subaru did. Victories came very soon when Joginder
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Design of 2017 WRC cars: CFD or wind tunnel?
The design of 2017 WRC cars was done in a relatively short period of time, as rules were initially approved
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Subaru Impreza extended Japanese dominance on the WRC in the 90s
While Toyota mastered the WRC, especially between 1992 and 1994, other Japanese manufacturers made their progress into the Championship, to
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2017 WRC aero reliability and wakes
2017 Rally Poland stages have shown again the sensitivity of new aerodynamic appendices to impacts, as well as their crucial
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Toyota Celica GT Four put Japan on top of WRC
Japanese cars have been present in the World Rally Championship since the very beginning. They got high reputation in the
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Reliability of aerodynamic packages in WRC 2017 cars
New 2017 WRC car aerodynamics have proven to have a weak point after only five races have been completed. High
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Ford Escort RS Cosworth: the RALLY CAR
In the late eighties, Ford had reacted too late for Group B, had been unable of setting up the 4×4
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Deltona: last winning bid from Lancia
Lancia introduced the Delta HF 4WD model in 1987 World Rally Championship, and they refined the car with different and
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Aerodynamic features of 2017 WRC cars
2017 New generation of WRC cars has introduced a bunch of aerodynamic modifications that deserve a deep review, in addition
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WRC 2017 rear wing comparative
Once all manufacturers have officially presented their new cars for 2017 WRC season, except Volkswagen (who finally renounced to participate
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Citroën C3 WRC 2017 aero (r)evolution
Citroën has been the last manufacturer to officially present his new weapon for 2017, which is the result of an
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Ogier’s new toy: the 2017 Ford Fiesta WRC
First snapshots of brand new 2017 Ford Fiesta WRC have been published this week, showing white over black all the
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New Toyota Yaris WRC 2017 aero package
The test developed by Gazoo Racing in Corsica this week (December 2016) has not only been the first real test
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Aerodynamic evolution of 2017 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC
New 2017 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC unveiled today in Monza is the result of a long series of test initiated
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Diffusers revolution for 2017 WRC cars
Rear diffusers have been extensively tested in the new 2017 WRC cars, in order to increase grip at the car’s
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Hyundai i20 WRC closes the circle for 2017
Tests carried out by Hyundai WRC Team after Catalunya Rally, in Southern Spain by Thierry Neuville, were devoted to testing
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Citroën and Ford reveal their new WRC aero packages for 2017
In the last week, Citroën and Ford have started to test what looks to be their definitive aero package for
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New Polo WRC aero package for 2017
VW has been testing what is said to be the definitive aerodynamic configuration for the 2017 Polo WRC in some
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Sierra RS Cosworth: first Ford’s whale-tail
The Sierra RS Cosworth was an attempt in 1983, from recently named Director of Ford Motorsport in Europe Stuart Turner,
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1987: back to Group A simplicity
Group B cars were banned since January 1987, as well as new-born group S. In spite of the effort of
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Ford and Citroën joined group B too late
Soon after Ford decided to cancel the development of Escort RS1700T in March 1983, a new project, initially called B200
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Toyota Yaris WRC launches 2017 aero battle
Since mid-April tests of 2017 WRC cars have restarted for VW, Citroen and Toyota. While new Polo and DS3 test
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MG Metro 6R4: F1 technology into rallying
Austin Rover sponsoring of Williams F1 team in early 80’s was key for the collaboration of engineers from both teams
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LANCIA DELTA S4
Lancia soon realized that, in spite of winning 1983 World Championship with the 037 Rally, four-wheel drive was key to
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1985 group B: biggest wings ever
Audi Sport Quattro S1 The impressive performance of the Peugeot 205 T16 in the World Rally Championship forced Audi to
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Peugeot 205 T16 changed it all
Peugeot 205 T16 was designed by Andre De Cortanze (with Jean Claude Vaucard as Chief Engineer and responsible of chassis
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First Group B cars: Lancia Rally 037 and Audi Quattro A1
Group B was launched in 1982 with the purpose of attracting more makes into the World Rally Championship, by reducing
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2016 WRC Season launched
Monte Carlo Rally opened, as usual, the 2016 WRC Season. Only Hyundai presented new aerodynamic package, while the rest of
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Early 80’s: waiting for group B revolution
In the first years of the 80’s, some new cars appeared in the World Rally Championship, still with very limited
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70’s Rally Cars: more spoilers and first wing
Ford response to Porsche 911 Carrera and Lancia Stratos was second of successful Escort series, which since the beginning (1975)
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