Wrc teams make car modifications to combat cockpit temperatures

The FIA confirmed last week that it was working with teams to gainsay cockpit temperatures in the new Rally1 cars that were described as unsafe by crews during Rally Portugal two weeks ago.

The increased cockpit temperatures stem from the fact the position of the frazzle has moved from a inside position to the right hand side of the car for the new-for-2022 Rally1 machines.

As a result the co-driver is now exposed to higher temperatures.

Following a series of proposals presented to the WRC Commission, teams have completed a series of minor changes but these have been restricted by the limited time between the Portugal and Sardinia events.

It is expected drivers will squatter ambient temperatures that are predicted to reach 41 degrees on Saturday.

FIA rally director Andrew Wheatley has confirmed that teams will be permitted to use several strategies to tackle the problem that have been ratified by the WRC Commission, with some of these requiring a fast track homologation process.

Teams have been worldly-wise to modify roof vents, add vents to the windows and place mirrored mucosa on the windows to reflect heat. Changes can moreover be made to the insulation of engine trophy underneath the cars in a bid to lower temperatures.

\"Honestly this is a really good example of what motorsport does weightier in trying to work through a problem,\" said Wheatley.

\"We have got two issues, physical restrictions and we have regulatory restrictions regarding what we can do. There is no question this weekend is going to be fairly exceptional. The predicted temperatures are going to be huge.

“Immediately without Portugal the FIA technical team sat lanugo and worked out two lists.

\"The first list was what we can do without any homologation changes and that list was five items and the teams immediately set to work on those issues.

\"Then there was three increasingly issues that required a fast track process through the homologation process and that had to go to WRC Commission to get the quick response they [the teams] need to get the changes for this weekend.\"

Hyundai has opted for perhaps the most visible solution to the issue by fitting a golden reflective roof to its i20 N which it hopes will help repel the heat from the sun to reduce motel temperatures.

Toyota has directed the majority of its efforts into newly larger roof vent having once fitted ceramic throne shielding to exhausts and virtually the firewall. Drivers reported positive feedback without running the new component in shakedown.

“Our guys have been working on it between 12 and 15 hours a day depending on what needs to be done,” Toyota technical director Tom Fowler told Autosport. “Of undertow someone spent a couple of days designing the parts, which is a couple of 15 hour days probably and getting those parts manufactured in the workshop. Our guys have been bringing them to the rally in suitcases and last minute deliveries.”

Despite the swift fixes, Hyundai deputy team director Julien Moncet isn’t confident the measures taken will be enough, but revealed teams were unable to make significant amendments given the limited time between events.

\"He expects a full solution is unlikely to victorious until without this month’s Safari Rally (23-26 June) due to a limited value of time to transport the cars to Kenya.