Some news stories have started showing up with unveilings of the 2011 WRC rally cars. Though they may not have been competitive in the last several years, over here on the wrong side of the planet, the Lancer Evo and Impreza STi are the most prominent rally type cars that come to mind. But with the 2011 rule changes, they don't even qualify for competition.
http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.ns ... A_2011.pdf
The displacement limit is now 1.6 liters.
The turbocharger will be fitted with a 33 mm restrictor.
Computer/electric/electronic/hydraulic/pneumatic controlled or actuated differentials are prohibited.
Paddle shifters are prohibited.
2,650 pound minimum weight (not clear if this is with or without driver).
Car dimensions are shorter. Around 2480 mm wheelbase and around 1590 mm track.
These should all look somewhat familiar, because they are the stock dimensions and specifications of most of the cars racing Class C around 1990:
The Lancer Evo I with a souped up version of the standard 1.6 liter engine.
The Mazda 323 AWD.
The Mirage Cyborg.
Or, the reason this caught my eye, the Gemini AWD, with +45mm offset wheels and 3 1/2 inch wide body fenders.
Just about any of these vehicles would fit right into the new rally formula, but finding a head machined to accept direct injection fuel injectors would go a long way to bring the power level up. And the factory turbo could actually be ported out the additional millimeter to match the 33 mm inlet restrictor size.
