Focus WRC & other rally related topics

[Alp Berker <aberker@domain.elided>]

I would like to bring some explanations to the general rally related 
issues.

Rallying is regulated by FIA (International Automobile Federation, 
www.fia.com) All rallies and vehicles entering the rallies must comply 
with the regulations posted by FIA.
There are two major catagories in rally cars. Group N (basically 
standard + security additions & suspension) Group A (modified cars) WRC 
cars are based on Group A cars. The factory prepares a kit called the 
WRC kit for the Group A car. (for more info. plase visit 
http://www.fia.com/homepage/selection-a.html; articles 251 - 255) 
however these cars are based on production cars (minimum 2500 per year).

For FORD Focus WRC, these cars are prepared by Ford Rally Sport in UK 
(http://www.fordrallyesport.com/index2.asp) , below are specs for the 
2002 car:

Ford Focus WRC technical specification - 2002

Engine
Ford 2.0-litre Cosworth Duratec R engine. Four cylinders, 16 valves, two 
litres. Ford electronic engine management system. Garrett turbocharger 
(with FIA required 34 mm inlet restrictor). Air/air intercooler with 
external water spray. Catalytic converter.

Power
300 bhp at 6500 rpm

Torque
550 Nm at 4000 rpm

Transmission
Permanent four-wheel drive with M-Sport designed and manufactured active 
front, centre and rear differentials. Pi electronic differential control 
units. M-Sport / XTrac 240 six-speed sequential gearbox with 
electro-hydraulically controlled shift option.

Suspension
Front and rear MacPherson struts with Reiger external reservoir dampers, 
adjustable in bump and rebound. Fully adjustable fabricated steel links. 
Front and rear anti-roll bars. Titanium uprights. Ceramic wheel bearings.

Brakes
Gravel - 300mm Brembo ventilated discs with Brembo four piston monoblock 
calipers. Asphalt - 370mm Brembo ventilated discs with Brembo 
eight-piston monoblock calipers. Hydraulic handbrake. Adjustable front / 
rear bias.

Steering
Power-assisted high-ratio (12:1) rack and pinion. Two turns lock to lock.

Wheels
Gravel: 7in x 15in (magnesium) wheels with Pirelli 650mm tyres. Asphalt: 
8in x 18in (magnesium) wheels with Pirelli 650mm tyres.

Bodyshell
Unitary construction. Unique pressed steel side panels. Welded T45 steel 
safety roll cage. Aerodynamic rear spoiler. Unique front 'bumper' treatment.

Electronics
Full Pi chassis and engine data acquisition for on-event diagnostics and 
performance development.

Fuel tank
FIA FT3 tank, 80 litre capacity, located centrally.

Length: 4152mm.
Width: 1770mm.
Height: 1420mm.
Wheelbase: 2615mm.
Weight: 1230kg minimum

this car based on your everyday Focus (the original chasis is taken out 
of the actual assembly line) costs over $500,000. the most part of this 
budget is the high tech engine management system and the traction 
system. As a policy Ford does not sell these cars as street cars, but if 
you have the means you can buy a rally car, on the other hand Subaru and 
Mitsubishi sell their basic cars to the public either to be prepared as 
a race car or driven on the street. For example Mitsubishi sells the RS 
version of the Evo series. The RS version comes only in white, without 
A/C, radio, electric windows etc. basically without the things you do 
not need. So after buying this car you prepare your race car.

One thing about the "pop" and the flame you hear from the exhaust. That 
is the ALS (Anti Lag System) it is not an injector in the exhaust. It is 
an electronic system. what it does is in order to keep the turbo revs. 
high the car misfires on purpose when you lift your foot from the 
throtle, therefore when you step down again you don't wait for the 
turbo. during the misfiring the unburnt gas explodes when it comes to 
contact with the open air at the exit of the exhaust.

Sorry or the long mail.

Alp Berker

Alp Berker
69 Gt Junior
96 155 Q4 (sharing many things with Lancia Delta Integrale - one of the 
best rally cars.)
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