Group A
In touring car racing, group A describes a very specific processing stage of the vehicles from the 1980s to the present day. In the World Rally Championship , a modification of the Group A vehicles called the World Rally Car (WRC) has been used since 1998 , which has been based on the Super 2000 regulations since the 2011 season .
These processing levels were classified by the FIA - namely according to group N, A, B etc. Of these groups, group N was the “mildest” tuning level. In the next free group A, all series parts can be processed. This means that the flywheel , connecting rod and crankshaft can be lightened, polished and post-hardened through heat treatment without limitation. The camshaft , pistons and various other parts are free.
The external appearance of the vehicles also remains largely unchanged. The fenders may be flanged but not widened. An exception is the so-called kit-cars , in which a widening of the kit (kit) belongs and homologated is. The exchange of shock absorbers and springs is permitted on the chassis .
The basic technical data are in the Group A homologation sheet .
The forerunner of group A was group 2 described in the previous regulations .
The individual provisions for group A are in Article 255 of the IASG of the FIA .
definition
The provisions of group A are only applicable to touring cars that must have 4 seats. The minimum quantity is 2,500 units in 12 calendar months.
Weight
The A homologation sheet does not indicate a separate weight. Therefore, the minimum weight mentioned in Article 255 applies. This is z. B. for rally vehicles with one cubic capacity:
- up to 1000 cm³: 720 kg
- up to 1400 cm³: 920 kg
- up to 2000 cm³: 1000 kg
- etc., can be found in the link below.
Lower minimum weights apply to other events than to rally events. For WRC vehicles, the minimum weight is 1230 kg with a maximum of 2000 cm³.
Excluded parts
- Piston bushings, but without exceeding the displacement class
- Cylinder head gasket
- Pistons and bearing shells
- Air filter with housing
- Fuel pumps and filters, gas linkages, pressure regulators and feed lines
- Camshaft (s) with certain restrictions
- Valves in material and shape, but the angles of the valve axes must be respected
- Ignition system, except number of spark plugs
- Radiator, oil cooler, oil pump, but the body must not be modified
- Exhaust system from the manifold outlet / turbo outlet
- Seals, springs, pulleys
- Clutch, differential lock
- Wheels and tires, the maximum width being limited depending on the cubic capacity
- The rim diameter is stated in the A homologation sheet and may be under or over; the wheel still has to be covered by the body. The maximum width of the rim is given in Section 255 of the International Sports Act of the (FIA); the wheel may be smaller and narrower and larger, but not wider than defined.
- Braking system
Allowed changes
Every series part, the origin of which can still be determined by the manufacturer, including the parts not exempted, can be reworked in any mechanical way. Nuts, bolts and screws may be replaced. However, adding material is prohibited.
Result
The mere listing of the permitted and prohibited changes does not give an impression of the vehicle that is ready on the route after sensible coordination work. With a series vehicle valued at 20,000 to 30,000 euros as the starting point, the costs are at least twice as high, or more. This does not include wear parts such as tires.
In contrast to a branded cup car , the make and size of the tires is not specified. Extensive testing is recommended to find the best combination; the difference can make several seconds on the small circuit in Hockenheim.
A Group A touring car is no longer street legal, even if the StVZO is generous. The Group A rally cars have to comply with the laws of the country in which the event takes place, as public transport is used on the intermediate stages. In the area of DMSB events, group A is only advertised for hill climbs and circuit races, rallies and slaloms are not held. The vehicles are delivered on trailers or in a closed truck. For the technical acceptance, the car is pushed and not moved by the motor.
The driving behavior corresponds roughly to that which was encountered in the formula sector 10 to 20 years ago, and the lap times of a 2006 Group A racing car also correspond to those of Formula 2 in the 1970s.