Scorching...

A “Group N” car is moderately modified production class of car that is sanctioned for competitive use. It aims to make motorsport more accessible to members of the public through means of cost reduction and a reduction of environmental impact.

This "Showroom Class" are limited to certain modifications unlike the all out “Group A” class that encompass the World Rally Championships.

2,500 cars of the roadgoing, competing model must be built in a year. However, a further 25,000 units must be built across the model’s entire range. In this case, 2,500 Subaru WRXes must be built, and 25,000 “normal” Imprezas (1.6s, 2.0s and so on) within a year.

The Asia Pacific Rally is one such championship to come under the Group N rule of cars. These are usually based on turbocharged, four wheel drive variants of the subcompact class of cars, with the most obvious being the Subaru WRX and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

Very few mechanical modifications are permitted to the engine. Only things like lightening a few minor components and things necessary for longevity through competitive use, like baffled oil sumps are allowed, so swapping in a bigger turbo is definitely out of the question.

A saving point here would be the free choice of the Engine Control Unit, where the team is free to program the engine’s computer however they like, thus freeing up torque and horsepower figures across the board.

- A free choice of springs and dampers, all of which should fall within specific limits of production car measurements

- A free choice of gearbox internals, provided that homologated gear ratios and change patterns are met.

This is where most teams quickly swap in dog boxes, which provide lightning quick gear changes and longer life of the gearbox.

- Suspension and bodyshell may be strengthened, as long as it falls within normal road operating limits.

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Credits: Text and Photos by Amery Reuben and Brian Young, APRC TV.