JWRC: Juniors Today, Breaking Records Tomorrow.

This year’s JWRC will enter a new era with Citroën Racing, and all competitors, who must be aged 28 or under, will drive 1600cc, two-wheel drive DS3 R3 cars instead of the Ford Fiesta R2 cars used in recent seasons.

A number of former WRC Academy drivers are back too, including Martin Koci, Jan Cerny and Molly Taylor.

 The six-round championship has attracted a strong list of entries, each eager to emulate the success of former champions like Dani Sordo (2005), Sebastien Ogier (2008) and Elfyn Evans (2012).

 

The adoption of Citroen power should benefit a number of drivers with prior experience of the 210bhp turbo-charged DS3, in WRC3 or national trophy competition.

 Tipped to do well in Portugal are Christian Riedemann, Federico Della Casa, Alister Fisher and Simone Campedelli – all of whom contested Citroen’s Top Driver series in 2013.

Christian Riedemann and co-driver Lara Vanneste.

WRC Car Profiles PartV: MINI JOHN COOPER



The product of a short-lived association between BMW and British-based preparation firm Prodrive in 2011 and 2012, the Mini John Cooper Works WRC is still rallied by privateers. Proved capable of winning stages in 2012, and got quicker in 2013 when Prodrive squeezed another 8hp from the engine.

 



 

Engine type	In-line four cylinder, 1.6 litre, turbocharged
Bore/stroke
Power (max)
Torque (max)
Transmission type	Four-wheel drive
Gearbox	Sequential shift, six forward gears and one reverse
Differentials	Mechanical front and rear
Clutch
Suspension	MacPherson struts with adjustable dampers
Steering	Power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes	Ventilated discs and four-piston calipers all round. Disc diameter 300mm on gravel, 355mm (front only) on tarmac
Wheels	8 x 18 inch for tarmac, 7 x 15 inch for gravel
Length	4.110 mm
Width	1.820 mm
Wheel base
Weight	FIA regulation 1,200 kg minimum (1,360 kg with driver and co-driver)

 



WRC Car Profiles PartIV: VOLKSWAGEN POLO R

The result of a 17 month development programme, Volkswagen’s Polo R world rally car made its competitive debut on the opening round of the 2013 season and claimed its first win on the second. The power behind 10 victories in 2013, the Polo R is the car to beat in 2014.

Engine type	In-line four cylinder, 1.6 litre, turbocharged
Bore / stroke	83.0 mm / 73.8 mm
Power (max)	315 hp (232 kW) at 6,200 rpm
Torque (max)	425 Nm at 5,000 rpm
Transmission type	Four-wheel drive

Gearbox	Sequential shift, six forward gears and one reverse
Differentials	Mechanical front and rear
Clutch	Double-disc sintered metal
Suspension	MacPherson struts with adjustable dampers
Steering	Power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes	Ventilated disc brakes (front diameter 355mm on tarmac)
Wheels	8 x 18 inch for tarmac, 7 x 15 inch for gravel
Length	3,976 mm
Width	1,820 mm
1,820 mm	2,480 mm
Weight	FIA regulation 1,200 kg minimum (1,360 kg with driver and co-driver)

 



WRC Car Profiles PartIII: HYUNDAI 120

 

After making a surprise debut as a prototype at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Hyundai’s all-new i20 world rally car will make its competitive debut in the 2014 World Rally Championship.

 

 

Engine type	In-line four cylinder, 1.6 litre, turbocharged
Bore/stroke	84 mm / 72 mm
Power (max)	300 hp (200 kW) at 6,000 rpm
Torque (max)	400Nm at 5,000 rpm
Air restrictor	33 mm (FIA regulation)
Transmission type	Four-wheel drive
Gearbox	Sequential, six forward gears and one reverse
Differentials	Mechanical front and rear
Clutch	Clutch
Suspension	MacPherson struts with adjustable dampers
Steering	Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes	Ventilated Brembo disc brakes all round (355 mm on tarmac; 300 mm on gravel) with air-cooled four-piston calipers
Wheels	8 x 18 inch for tarmac, 7 x 15 inch for gravel
Length	4,030 mm
Width	1,820 mm
Wheel base	2,525 mm
Weight	FIA regulation 1,200 kg minimum (1,360 kg with driver and co-driver)

WRC Car Profiles PartII: FORD FIESTA RS

 

The Ford Fiesta RS was launched in 2011 to comply with new FIA technical regulations. It delivered a 1-2-3 result on its first event (Sweden) and went on to take 13 podiums in its debut season. After Ford’s WRC withdrawal at the end of the 2012 season, cars have been developed and run by Ford’s former rally partner, British-based preparation firm M-Sport. Engine type In-line four cylinder, 1.6 litre, turbocharged Bore/stroke 83.0 mm / 73.9 mm Power (max) 300 hp (223 kW) at 6,000 rpm Torque (max) 450 Nm at 4,000 rpm Transmission type Four-wheel drive Gearbox Sequential shift, six forward gears and one reverse Differentials Mechanical front and rear Clutch M-Sport / AP Racing twin disc Suspension MacPherson struts with adjustable dampers Steering Power-assisted rack and pinion Brakes Brembo ventilated discs and four-piston calipers all round. Disc diameter 300mm on gravel, 355mm on tarmac Wheels 8 x 18 inch for tarmac, 7 x 15 inch for gravel Length 3.963 mm Width 1.820 mm Wheel base 2.480 mm Weight FIA regulation 1,200 kg minimum (1,360 kg with driver and co-driver)

WRC Car Profiles PartI: CITROEN DS3

 

 

Known as ‘le petit bolide’ – the little racer – the DS3 WRC is the latest in a trio of title-winning world rally cars developed by Citroen. Launched in 2011 to comply with new FIA technical regulations, the DS3 delivered the French firm the manufacturers’ title that year and in 2012.

Engine type	In-line four cylinder, 1.6 litre, turbocharged
Bore / stroke	82.0 mm / 75.5 mm
Power (max)	300 hp (223 kW) at 6,000 rpm
Torque (max)	350 Nm at 3,250 rpm
Transmission type	Four-wheel drive
Gearbox	Sequential shift, six forward gears and one reverse
Differentials	Mechanical front and rear, auto-locking
Clutch	Cerametallic twin-disk
Suspension	MacPherson struts with adjustable dampers
Steering	Power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes	Ventilated discs. Front diameter 355mm (tarmac) 300mm (gravel). Rear diameter 300mm. Four-piston calipers (water-cooled on tarmac)
Wheels	8 x 18 inch for tarmac, 7 x 15 inch for gravel
Length	3,948 mm
Width	1,820 mm
1,820 mm	2,461 mm
Weight	FIA regulation 1,200 kg minimum (1,360 kg with driver and co-driver)