Rally1 HYBRID car safety
Since 2022, the most powerful car class in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) has featured Rally1 HYBRID vehicles. The main difference from previous generations is the inclusion of hybrid technology and an electric motor. At Tet Rally Latvia, a total of ten such Rally1 HYBRID cars will participate, with one of them driven by the local crew from Liepāja, Mārtiņš Sesks / Renārs Francis.
Before the start of the 2022 season, the FIA World Rally Championship underwent a technical revolution, introducing a new categorization for rally cars – Rally1, Rally2, Rally3, Rally4, and Rally5 – with the most significant changes applied to the fastest and most powerful Rally1 cars. The most important innovation affected the safety of these vehicles. They are no longer built on the base of street cars with added safety elements. Instead, the cars now have a specially designed spaceframe safety roll cage around which the body panels are assembled, allowing rally cars to resemble the passenger car models produced by manufacturers.
Similarly, significant changes can also be found in the field of aerodynamic elements. Thanks to these innovations, the latest generation of cars have a very high additional downforce, allowing drivers to complete corners even faster than before. In the history of the FIA World Rally Championship, these cars can set faster times than any previous generation of technology, including the legendary Group B cars.
It's important to note that these rally cars have become significantly more environmentally friendly. WRC Rally1 cars use fuel made entirely from renewable resources. Additionally, the presence of hybrid technology and an electric motor has allowed the continuation of sustainability goals without compromising on car power, performance in stages, and the sound of the internal combustion engine that fans are so used to. Hybrid technology enables the storage of kinetic energy up to 150 horsepower, which drivers can use at their discretion during stages.
Hybrid engine cars are used by all three factory teams – Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, and M-Sport Ford World Rally Team. As an additional feature of hybrid cars, they are marked with prominently visible white letters "HY" on a red background on their doors, as well as a light indicator on the car's windshield and on both side windows.
Despite the technological advancement represented by hybrid solutions, both spectators and teams, as well as other involved parties, must consider additional safety risks associated with high-voltage electrical currents. Hybrid technology poses risks because it utilizes high-voltage batteries and other electrical components, which after accidents or technical failures, this hybrid system can be damaged.
Most important thing – always look for the green light!
On the cars, there are positioned light indicators that inform about the safety status of the car's electrical system. In a normal situation, on the windshield and both side windows, you will notice a green light indicator, which means that no technical faults have been detected in the car's electrical system and it is safe to approach and touch the car. However, if you see the indicator glowing with a red light (or the indicator is not lit at all), everyone around should take the highest safety measures, avoiding approaching or touching the car as there is a risk of electric shock! In such a case, contact the rally personnel immediately, who will then advise on further actions to be taken.
Safety is always the top priority at both the FIA World Rally Championship and Tet Rally Latvia. Therefore, we kindly ask everyone to be especially cautious, take into account the current situation, follow safety regulations, and adhere to the instructions of the officials and other authorized personnel!
News and other information about the Tet Rally Latvia, round of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), available at www.lvrally.com, as well as on social media X @LVRally, Facebook @LVRally, Instagram @lvrally, and TikTok @tetrallylatvia. While, news about the FIA World Rally Championship available at www.wrc.com.
Tet Rally Latvia, round of the FIA World Rally Championship, is set to take place on July 18-21, 2024. The event is possible thanks to the support provided by Ministry of Education and Science, rally city Liepāja and capital city Rīga, as well as municipalities of Tukums, Talsi, and Kuldīga. Special thanks to general sponsor Tet, many thanks to our main sponsors Ramirent, Sportland, and X3000, official car partner Toyota, as well as sponsors BTA, Fristads, and SIXT. Thanks to our partners Canon Biznesa Centrs Liepāja, Latvijas Valsts meži and municipality of Dienvidkurzeme. Informative support provided by news portal DELFI, Sporta Avīze un Talsu Vēstis. Thanks to Tet Rally Latvia supporters shopping malls AKROPOLE, AOK, Ballīte Ballītē, Biķernieku trase, Conti STL, Conway, CSDD, DHL, Eco Baltia vide, Elnetworks, Flora, FN Serviss, Getic, Jānis Pūce, Löfbergs, Liepāja Special Economic Zone, MB Grupa, Mission Latvia, OCT Composites, Peltors, Rentadisplay, Rīgas Brīvostas pārvalde, Riga Motormusem, SignTech, Swecon, Swan, Törley, Travel Latvia, as well as technical partner Sports Racing Technologies. Tet Rally Latvia is organised by RA Events in cooperation with Speed Festival Kurzeme and Latvian Automobile Federation.
Tet Rally Latvia supports initiatives carried out by Latvian Children's Support Centre,
who has created and are developing social rehabilitation facility for children with special needs.
We invite you to support this initiative, by making a donation here: http://www.lbaf.lv/lv/ka-ziedot.