I'm in the market for a car to hopefully start competing in ProRally in the next year or two...is anyone actually considering rallying their WRX? Obviously, it would be kickass, but the costs and such would be tremendous without factory support...I'll probably pick up a WRX for daily driving, but I am looking at 323GTX, Celica GT4, RX7, or Eclipse for my rally car...

I'm planning on it, but as you said, the costs are pretty high, especially if you want to do the car up right (and what's the point of half-assing it?), so it'll take me a while to actually get it ready to go onto the stages.

Patrick
Where are you in Buffalo?
I rally an Impreza and afford it.
You may want to talk to me.

I'm not only the president of the rally your WRX club for men, I'm also a member!

Translation: I rally my WRX

There's a rumor afoot that it may be for sale for around $30k

-Doug
#530 PGT WRX

Originally posted by randy zimmer
Patrick
Where are you in Buffalo?
I rally an Impreza and afford it.
You may want to talk to me.

Hey Randy-
I believe I've met you at the WNY SCCA events...you drive Holly's car occassionally, right? This year I briefly campaigned my blue 300ZX. I'll send you an email....
Patrick

Might be something here (http://www.specialstage.com/forum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=7&forum=DCForumID24) that interests you...

-Doug

you may want to give a good read through of the new SCCA Pro Rally proposed rules regarding the WRX in PGT next season...

according to the rules it must be equipped w/a 32mm restrictor... now that's going to stifle the power signifigantly!

w/a 32mm even my street RS can compete with that!!

read more: www.bensrallypage.com

j.
www.subiegal.com

w/a 32mm even my street RS can compete with that!!
Don't most production cars come with a 32mm restrictor plate? :confused:

The way to handle it is with a well designed restrictor (not just a slab of metal with a hole in it- there's a whole science to it), and a new ECU (~$1600 will get you anti-lag as well!). Then it's a matter of re-mapping everything for sub-5k RPM operation. It can be done, but what a pain in the arse to step down in power from stock, in a stock class! Also, rumor has it that Subaru won't be providing contingency funds for PGT next year...

The more expensive (but more fun) option is to convert to Group N where they at least have components engineered with the restrictor in mind. In ClubRally though, Group N doesn't exist...

Which leaves Open class. I think this is where I'm going, from a purely "Woo-hoo! I'd love to drive that!" point of view. It's a lot more money to do it "right", but there's a lot less crap to deal with as far as what you can or can't do.

PGT still remains the lowest cost competetive way to go rallying on a budget (with a Subaru AWD, that is), and the WRX will still be at the head of the class. They just made it more difficult with the whole restrictor thing.

-Doug

Originally posted by dch

Which leaves Open class. I think this is where I'm going, from a purely "Woo-hoo! I'd love to drive that!" point of view. It's a lot more money to do it "right", but there's a lot less crap to deal with as far as what you can or can't do.


This is the same route I'm pursuing. I'm just going to make the car into the car I'd most like to drive, without any mind to what class it might or might not fall into. This will probably result in my ending up in open class, and getting killed by some crazy ol' car, but I don't care, I'll have a really neat car to take home at the end of the day.

Just make sure you don't get caught by that one phrase in the proposed rules...

Originally posted by some lawyer wannabe:

Page 91 10.2.C.1.a
Add new Article:
"Vehicles entered in SCCA Open class competition at all SCCA ProRally and SCCA ClubRally events must also comply with Appendix __"

Ahh yes, the dreaded "Appendix __". Gotta love the concrete stability put forth by the SCCA rules body, eh? Anybody seen an appendix laying around? :lol:

-Doug

you will be fine (and much faster than an rs) even with the 32

yep, even with the 32mm restrictor the WRX will put out good torque and feel the same upto 5000rpm, even without a remap. Above 5K it will start to struggle but will still produce fairly decent power up to 5800rpm, down on previous but still usable. There is a danger above this of sending the turbo inlet air supersonic so you need to limit the revs to protect the turbo.

You just have to change your driving style to use a higher gear. Left foot braking comes into its own with these restrictors, especially if you dont have ALS. Use one gear higher than you imagine and LFB and you'll be amazed what punch out of the corners you will get.

The 32mm restrictors have to conform to very tight standards, there are rules for how far from the compressor blades the restrictor must sit. Basically it's a groupN FIA restrictor you have to use.

Things can be expensive but the costs of some of the cars you are talking about can also be expensive. Remember to look at the benefits of competing with a car that others are using also. There are a lot of Subarus out there and that helps sometimes with getting parts.
Call me any time with questions.

Justin Benham
AV Sport
480 505 0323
www.alternativevehicles.com

Originally posted by ProrallyWRX
Things can be expensive but the costs of some of the cars you are talking about can also be expensive. Remember to look at the benefits of competing with a car that others are using also. There are a lot of Subarus out there and that helps sometimes with getting parts.
Call me any time with questions.

Justin Benham
AV Sport
480 505 0323
www.alternativevehicles.com

I'm sure rallying any car can get expensive. But, crashing a $2000 323GTX vs. crashing a $25,000 WRX is a serious difference. It's not like you can go call Allstate and make a claim, right?
Does anyone here use any kind of competition insurance? When I went to driver's schools/open lapping at road courses we all just winged it. There was always a crash (or 2 or 3), and that driver just ate that cost. I assume there has to be quite a few crahes in ClubRally and ProRally, so I guess you have to plan for that, financially.

Patrick, you could get an older 1.8L AWD Brighton model and run Production class.