2010 FIA Regulations Released!

The FIA has just announced the new regulations for which World Rally Championship (WRC) cars must abide by for the 2010 season onwards.

On the eve of the Rally Norway and in light of their efforts to create a "greener" event, the FIA has developed the following specifications for the 2010 WRC cars for which drivers such as Sebastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen will have to pilot:

• No car may produce more than 200bhp. By limiting the peak power produced, higher efficiency may be achieved. 
• All WRC-class cars will have a speed governor of 45 miles per hour in an effort to maximize fuel efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide output from the vehicle.
  
• All WRC-class cars must have an engine no larger than 1200cc and no smaller than 1000cc.
• No car may have a revolution cycle that exceeds 2000rpm. Keeping revs low will allow power without putting too much duress on the engine.
  
• All cars must be fitted with 4-speed automatic transmissions with rev limiters. This measure will ensure that drivers do not push their car to the "maximum" and keeping the car as fuel efficient as possible.
• In an effort to reduce the overall weight of the car, all-wheel drive will be banned and only front-wheel drive will be permitted. 
• To increase the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and reduce the environmental impact on the earth, all WRC-class vehicles must have a design similar to the Toyota Prius or upcoming Honda Insight hybrid line of vehicles.
• Drivers can weigh no more than 130lbs. Those currently above the allowed limit will automatically be placed into a local Jenny Craig weight-loss program.
  
• Co-drivers can weigh no more than 120lbs. This weight difference allows the fire extinguisher and first-aid kits to be placed beside the co-driver.
  
• Drivers will be required to log how much carbon dioxide is emitted by their car during each special stage. At the end of the day, the team will calculate their carbon footprint and purchase credits from the United Nations.
  

The following are changes to the layout of the WRC rally race event:

• To reduce harm to the environment, no event may take place outside the limits of a nearby city. Hereby all forest (and related stages) have been deemed unusable.
  
• Each event will consist of no more than 20 special stages run through a town or city limits.
• No WRC event may utilize any terrain other than asphalt. This eliminates all surfaces other than tarmac.
  

In collaboration with the World Rally Council, the FIA's regulations will take effect on January 1, 2010.