Group R-GT

Group R-GT (or sometimes Group RGT), is a FIA specification for GT cars in rallying. The R-GT regulations were introduced in 2011, and since 2014 technical passports for individual vehicles can be obtained. Thus a homologation for specific car models is no longer required.^[1]

Internationally, R-GT cars compete in the FIA R-GT Cup, which is contested on tarmac rounds of the ERC and WRC.^[2]

Technical regulations

The technical regulations are described in Appendix J, article 256 of the FIA sporting regulations.^[3] The category is for series production GT cars, that must be two-wheel driven. A car with four-wheel drive cars can be used as basis, but must be transformed into a 2WD version. All cars must be fitted with a restrictor whose diameter is determined by the FIA in order to achieve a weight/power ratio of 3.4 kg/hp (4.6 kg/kw).^[3]

History

Lotus Exige R-GT homologation

Lotus Exige R-GT

Lotus presented an R-GT version of the Exige S at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2011, but it wasn't until July 2012 before they finally got the FIA homologation for this first car to compete in the R-GT category.^[4] The competition debut took place at the end of July at Rally Vinho da Madeira, with Portuguese driver Bernardo Sousa. After posting stage times in the top ten for the first two special stages, they had to retire in the third stage because of an accident caused by an electronics glitch.^[5] After that, there were no further appearances of the Exige R-GT in international rallies.

Technical passports for individual cars

Since 2014, the FIA issues technical passports for individual cars that are prepared to comply with the R-GT regulations.^[1] The first such appearance was Marc Duez who entered a Porsche 996 GT3 for the 2014 Monte Carlo Rally. He achieved some respectable stage times, but was forced to retire on the last day.^[6] At the 2014 Rallye Deutschland, Richard Tuthill entered with a modified Porsche 997 and finished as 27th (of 63 classified), thus realising the first finish of a Porsche at a WRC event since 1986.^[7]

FIA R-GT Cup

In 2015, the first international cup for R-GT cars, organised by the FIA, took place. The first season was competed on five tarmac events of the WRC and ERC: Rallye Monte-Carlo, Ypres Rally, Rallye Deutschland, Rallye International du Valais and Tour de Corse.^[2] The championship was won by François Delecour in a Tuthill-prepared Porsche 997.^[8] In 2016 the R-GT cup was not contested due to a lack of participants. In 2017, with the introduction of the Abarth 124 R-GT, the interest has risen again, and the first event of the 2017 FIA R-GT Cup, the 2017 Monte Carlo Rally, saw 4 participants in the R-GT category.^[9]

Abarth 124 R-GT

Abarth 124 R-GT

At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show the Abarth 124 R-GT car was presented, and later made its debut at the 2017 Monte Carlo Rally. The entrants were François Delecour, Fabio Andolfi and Gabriele Noberasco. Two of the Abarths had to retire, but Noberasco classified second in the R-GT class.

Results

2015 R-GT Cup

The first edition of the R-GT Cup was won by François Delecour in a Tuthill-prepared Porsche 997.^[10]

2017 R-GT Cup

Other starts in international rallies

Starts in R-GT Cup events are covered by the corresponding R-GT Cup season article and not listed below.

Season	Event	Series	Car model	Driver	Result
2012	Rally Vinho da Madeira	ERC	Lotus Exige R-GT	Bernardo Sousa	retired (accident)[11]
2014	Monte Carlo Rally	WRC	Porsche 996 GT3	Marc Duez	retired (mechanical)[12]
2014	Rally Finland	WRC	Porsche 997 GT3	Jani Ylipahkala	retired (mechanical)[13]
2014	Rallye Deutschland	WRC	Porsche 997 GT3	Richard Tuthill	27th[14]
2014	Rallye de France—Alsace	WRC	Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0	Romain Dumas	19th[15]
			Porsche 997 GT3	François Delecour	37th[16]
2014	Tour de Corse	ERC	Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0	Romain Dumas	5th[17]
2015	Monte Carlo Rally	WRC	3 starters in the R-GT cup
2015	Circuit of Ireland	ERC	Porsche 997 GT3	Robert Woodside	retired[18]
2015	Ypres Rally	ERC	4 starters in the R-GT cup
2015	Rallye Deutschland	WRC	2 starters in the R-GT cup
2015	Tour de Corse	WRC	2 starters in the R-GT cup
2015	Rallye International du Valais	ERC	1 starter in the R-GT cup
2016	Rallye International du Valais	TER	Porsche 997 GT3	Marc Valliccioni	9th[19]
2017	Monte Carlo Rally	WRC	4 starters in the R-GT cup
2017	Tour de Corse	WRC	2 starters in the R-GT cup
2017	Rally Islas Canarias	ERC	Fiat 124 R-GT	Álvaro Muñiz	retired[20]

References

Media related to Group R-GT at Wikimedia Commons