Group Rally3 is a technical specification of rally car determined by the FIA. It features four-wheel drive and a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 5.6kg/hp. The class is used in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and regional championships. National rallying competitions also allow Group Rally3 cars to compete. There are three technical subclasses of Group Rally3 however these do not affect competitive eligibility so 'Rally3' may be used alone with the same definition. The group was launched in 2021 with the homologation of the first car after the introduction of the Rally Pyramid initiative to reorganise the classes of car and championships in international rallying was approved in June 2018.[1]
The group was designed to be entry level and the cheapest way to go rallying with four-wheel drive, as existing options like Group Rally2 and Group Rally2-Kit were considered too expensive for some privateers, and too high performance for newcomers to 4WD cars.
Two-wheel-drive R3 cars from Group R were at level RC3 with the mentioned Rally2 and Rally2-Kit at level RC2 in the FIA's sporting classes. With the introduction of Rally3, R3 were reclassified to RC4.[1]
Definition
Group Rally3 cars are defined in FIA document 'Appendix J - Article 260' as Touring Cars or Large Scale Series Production Cars, petrol engine, 4-wheel drive. A production touring car with at least 2500 identical units manufactured must be homologated in Group A, with all the components and changes that make it a Group Rally3 car homologated in an extension.[2]
Cars have a 31mm air intake restrictor, a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 5.6kg/hp, and a rally-ready price cap of €100,000 plus taxes.[3][1]
The subclasses are based on engine cylinder capacity in common with existing Group Rally4 classes, allowing for possibility of upgrade or sharing of many components with a Rally4 car.
Key Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally3[2]
Class
Drivetrain
Minimum
Weight
Engine
Capacity
Aspiration
Fuel
Maximum
Cylinders
Turbo
Restrictor
Wheels
Gravel
Wheels
Asphalt
Production
Requirement
Ra3B
4WD
1210 kg
1390-1600cc
Normal
Petrol
6
31mm
6"x15"
7"x17"
2500
927-1067cc
Turbo
Ra3C
1600-2000cc
Normal
1067-1333cc
Turbo
Ra3D
1333-1620cc
Turbo
FIA Competition
Rally3 cars are placed alone in FIA 'RC3' sporting class.[4]
