thumb|Hyundai i20 N Rally2, 2021 Barum Czech Rally Zlín - Vlček Martin
In the motorsport discipline of rallying, Group Rally2 is a formula of rally car specification determined by the FIA for use in its international competitions: the World Rally Championship (WRC) and regional championships.
National rallying competitions also allow Group Rally2 cars to compete.
There are no subclasses despite the use of the word 'Group' in the name so 'Rally2' may be used alone with the same definition.
The group was launched in 2019 with other similarly named groups after the introduction of the Rally Pyramid initiative to reorganise the classes of car and championships in international rallying was approved in June 2018.
The formula for Group Rally2 cars was taken from R5 class of Group R with the defining ruleset being renamed, this meant that any existing R5 car homologated or approved since their introduction in 2013 could continue to be used in Rally2 level competition.
R5 cars were first introduced as an intended replacement for the S2000 car.
In years prior to 2019, 'Rally 2' was used to describe the rules and scenario allowing a rally competitor to restart a rally the day following a retirement.
This was renamed 're-start after retirement' in FIA regulations from 2019.
Rally2 should not be confused with R2 cars of Group R either, which are officially described as 'Rallye 2'.
Definition
Group Rally2 cars are defined in FIA document '2021 Appendix J - Article 261' as Touring Cars or Large Scale Series Production Cars, supercharged 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 Rally2 car homologated in an extension.
The power to weight ratio is 4.2kg/hp.
Key Specific Regulations for Cars in Group Rally2<ref name="J261 2021"/>
FIA Competition
Rally2 cars are placed in FIA 'RC2' sporting class alongside Group Rally2-kit, R4, NR4 and S2000 cars.
As the name would suggest these are the second highest performance rally car below Group Rally1 and World Rally Car level and a step up from Group Rally3.
Rally2 cars are promoted by the FIA as the car of choice within the 'RC2' class in the Rally Pyramid of Cars.
In new Global Rally Rankings for drivers and co-drivers being introduced in 2022, Rally2 cars have a Group Co-efficient of 0.7.
Rally2 cars are eligible for the open drivers' and co-drivers' championships of WRC and all the regional championships (plus teams') as well as being the sole formula car permitted in:
WRC2 drivers', co-drivers' and teams' championships
WRC3 drivers' and co-drivers' championships (until 2021)
In 2022 Rally2 cars will be eligible to contest the following titles: WRC
WRC
FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers
FIA World Rally Championship for Co-Drivers
WRC2 (as sole formula of car)
FIA WRC2 Open Championship for Drivers
FIA WRC2 Open Championship for Co-Drivers
FIA WRC2 Junior Championship for Drivers
FIA WRC2 Junior Championship for Co-Drivers
FIA WRC2 Championship for Teams
FIA WRC2 Masters Cup for Drivers
FIA WRC2 Masters Cup for Co-Drivers
Regional
ERC
FIA European Rally Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers
FIA European Rally Championship for Teams
ERT
FIA European Rally Trophy (ERT) for Drivers and Co-Drivers
ARC
FIA African Rally Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers
FIA ARC Junior Championship for Drivers
MERC
FIA Middle East Rally Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers
APRC
FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers
FIA Junior APRC Championship for Drivers
FIA APRC Asia Rally Cup for Drivers and Co-Drivers
FIA APRC Pacific Rally Cup for Drivers and Co-Drivers
NACAM
FIA NACAM Rally Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers
CODASUR
FIA CODASUR Rally Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers
Eligibility in FIA Championships 2022
Cars
See Also
Rally Pyramid
Groups Rally
Group R - R5 (rallying)
Group Rally1
Group Rally3
Group Rally4
Group Rally5
References
External links
