WRC 2011: 1600 turbo or S2000?

During its World Council on June 24, the FIA ​​specified that the 1600 turbo engines would be used in WRC from the 2011 season, and not 2012 as previously envisaged. This decision aims to align with the major series. Ecology requires, the trend is towards ?downsizing?, that is to say a reduction in engine capacity to obtain better yields.

After having confirmed the continuation of their commitment before the departure of the Rally of Finland, Citroën and Ford should therefore work on this new technical situation. However, the efforts of the only two manufacturers involved in the WRC seem to be focused more on the Super 2000.

M-Sport, Ford's strong arm in the WRC, announced yesterday the start of construction of the first Fiesta S2000. “The car is taking shape,” announces Malcolm Wilson. “We were spurred by the announcement of Ford?s continued involvement in the WRC for two more years and by the introduction of the Fiesta S2000 to contest the 2011 championship.”

What should we decode in Wilson's words? Is this lobbying intended to return to the previous plan, that is to say S2000 in 2011 then 1600 turbo in 2012? This solution would allow development costs to be spread over time…

For its part, Citroën Racing is also working on an S2000 version of its DS3. “We have never hidden the fact that an S2000 was under study and that it would make its first rounds before the end of 2009,” explained Xavier Mestelan, Technical Director of the Reds. “Our current plan is to take advantage of the first months of 2010 to finalize the definition of the kits that should be offered to customers. In any case, there is nothing else we can do at the moment: in June the World Council decided that future WRCs would be equipped with a 1600 cc turbo engine, but we do not know to what extent the regulations will be similar to the current S3. »

The final decision could ultimately go to a third manufacturer, from the Volkswagen group. If Skoda decided to make its return to the WRC with its Fabia S2000, the entire field could shift towards this path. On the contrary, the arrival of Volkswagen – which will undoubtedly no longer have much to prove in rally raids on the evening of the 2010 Dakar – would confirm the move to the 1600 turbo from 2010.

Aware that these delays do not serve the credibility of a Championship which needs stability more than ever, the FIA ​​is sticking to its roadmap. Morrie Chandler, President of the WRC commission, said last June that the transition to the 1600 turbo would take place in 2011.

At the same time, the S2000 remains promised a bright future. In addition to the IRC and the national championships, this category will find a new playing field in 2010. Tailor-made for private teams participating in at least seven championship rallies, a ?WRC Cup? exclusively reserved for the S2000 will see the light of day.