The FIA World MotorSport Council convened in Paris this week to discuss many topics involving their World Championships and also Regional Championships with plans confirmed for 2018.
Amongst these topics, measures for controlling costs for the 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship were discussed with Cost Control being the top of the list.
Cost Cutting Measures have been put in place for the 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
With a lot of discussion taking place during the various race weekends of the 2017 FIA World Rallycross Championship where costs were said to be rising due to the increased Manufacturer involvement and development in the series, this led to talks about how to combat rising costs in World RX.
Therefore the FIA WMSC has announced the following measures to the 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship to better control costs where there are new limitations on the following components:
Engines, Turbo’s and Brakes are amongst the many components affected by the new 2018 World RX Cost cutting measures. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
Engines:
Reduction from three to two engine seals per year
Introduction of a Technical Declaration form, to supplement the Technical Passport, which will be used to identify items that are restricted to remove development opportunities and costs
Restrict brakes to the declared specification for the year
Turbos:
Reduction from six to four turbochargers per year
Tyre usage and allocation has also been affected by the new measures for 2018. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
Tyres:
Tyre usage: in the first two events a maximum of 12 new tyres (wet and dry) may be registered per car.
From the third event, a maximum of eight news tyres (wet and dry) and four used tyres (wet and dry) registered in a previous event may be registered. Only registered tyres can be used in the event [this represents a reduction in the number of tyres available as it removes the possibility to use unregistered tyres in practice and warm-up].
Gearbox Ratios:
The make, model and location of the gearbox
If a central differential is used (transmission specification is locked for the year with or without a centre diff.)
Restrict gear ratios to two declared sets for the year
Aerodynamic Devices will be restricted for 2018 after several teams used differing Aero packages in 2017. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
Aerodynamic Devices:
Restrict the rear aerodynamic device to the declared specification for the year
IMG, the promoter of World RX confirmed that these changes are for cost cutting/management and have been introduced with agreement of the teams.
The FIA WMSC also confirmed the 2018 Calendar, which was released as provisional just before the finale of this years series, the 2017 World RX of South Africa. This sees the confirmed inclusion of COTA and Silverstone confirmed as the new location for the World RX of Great Britain. South Africa is retained as the season finale whilst Hockenheim has been dropped from the calendar.
World RX will race at the Circuit of the America’s in 2018. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship Calendar:
Spain: Barcelona 14 – 15 April
Portugal: Montalegre 28 – 29 April
Belgium: Mettet 12 – 13 May
Great Britain: Silverstone 26 – 27 May
Norway: Hell 9 – 10 June
Sweden: Holjes 30 June – 1 July
Canada: Trois-Rivieres 4 – 5 August
France: Loheac 1 – 2 September
Latvia: Riga 15 – 16 September
USA: COTA 29 – 30 September
Germany: Estering 13 – 14 October
South Africa: Cape Town 24 – 25 November
