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WRC

Car culture term

WRC
Photo: Manu / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

What is WRC?

The World Rally Championship, the top global series for rally racing on closed stages across tarmac, gravel, snow and ice.

The WRC, or World Rally Championship, is the premier international rally series, run by the FIA since 1973. Unlike circuit racing, rally events are contested on closed public roads and stages, with cars running one at a time against the clock across a huge variety of surfaces including tarmac, gravel, snow and ice.

Each event, or rally, is split into many timed special stages spread over several days, with crews of a driver and co-driver navigating by pace notes. The combined times decide the result, demanding both flat-out speed and mechanical reliability.

The WRC has produced iconic cars and legends, from the Group B monsters of the 1980s to the Subaru Impreza, Lancia, Ford and Toyota machines that followed. It remains one of the most spectacular and demanding forms of motorsport in the world.

Related terms

RallyGroup BSTIEJ20Pikes Peak

Frequently asked questions

What does WRC stand for?
WRC stands for World Rally Championship, the premier international series for rally racing.
How is rally different from circuit racing?
Rally cars run one at a time against the clock on closed roads and stages across varied surfaces, rather than wheel to wheel on a track.
What surfaces does the WRC race on?
Events are held on tarmac, gravel, snow and ice, demanding versatile cars and skilled crews.
What is a co-driver in the WRC?
The co-driver reads pace notes to the driver, calling out upcoming corners and hazards so the car can be driven at full speed.
When did the WRC start?
The World Rally Championship was established by the FIA in 1973 and has run ever since.
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