R4 vs S2000
 

Seems like the R4s still have some work to do to match the S2000s, looking at the results from Sardinia, but good to see that the R4 class out in competition.

Will they ever be able to catch the S2000 NA cars ?

A question about R4: having a look at entry lists it isn´t clear for me which cars are R4 and which ones are "normal" N4. Is it any particular way to know that? Are there great differences between them ( referring to results and paces, I mean)

They are in different class. R4 is in class 2 (with S2000), N4 is in class 3.

Thnx Mirek. It´s right, I knew that. I think the problem is sometimes entry lists aren´t referred to FIA classes, but to national ones. Are results quite different between these cars up to now, or must we look forward to future developing of R4 cars?

I know only about two rallies where full-spec R4 cars started, so for me it's too early for any answer.

Let´s wait and see...thnx Mirek

i d like to be very close,but i really doubt it.

Get a world class driver like Hanninen, Meeke or Solberg in an R4 fitted with decent Michelin\Pirelli tires and prepared by a reputable rally team and its highly likely that it will be able to compete with than S2000.

The only true indicatiion of how close an R4 car will be to an S2000 car is for the same driver to test both cars on a series of timed runs with identical set ups to see which one is quicker of course.

That would again apply only for particular test track. Stages all around the world differ a lot and such fundamentally different cars like R4 and S2000 shows their pros and cons in different conditions. I bet on Italian asphalt roads like Sanremo nothing changes with R4, they will be still way behind. But I believe that on some gravel stages or Central European asphalts it may be different story.

I think Rally Saturnus will be a good indication , with Pech in a R4 and Piero Longhi in an Fabia S2000 ... Also , Solowow will debut in an Evo X R4 against 10 S2000 in Croatia Rally , so it might show us some comparison http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/smile.gif

Also imo it depends much what kind the stages are. At least here in Finland the S2000 hasn’t been superior even against N4. Of course the driver also has something to do with the results.http://www.motorsportforums.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Arctic Lapland part 1: Janne Tuohino, Ford Fiesta, 2nd 0:39,0 behind the winner.
Arctic Lapland part 2: Janne Tuohino, Ford Fiesta, 3rd 0:37,4 behind the winner.
Vaakuna ralli: Janne Tuohino, Ford Fiesta, 3rd 1:18,2 behind the winner.
O.K Auto-ralli: Matti Rantanen, Peugeot 207, 2nd 0:09,1 behind the winner.

Imo instead of trying to get the R4 performance closer to S2000 performance, FIA should investigate whether it is possible to create some kind of kid brother to the S2000 keppeing the costs at R3 level.

OldF:
You forgot this, N4 in Finland is not same than FIA N4
Ryhmä N Kansallinen lisäys kohtaan 254.7.
Ahtimen ilman kuristin on 34 mm FINR4WD sääntökohdan 4.8.2 mukaisesti
Jarrut ryhmän FINR 4WD kohdan 8. mukaisesti.
Puskurit ryhmän FINR 4WD kohdan 10.2.1. mukaan.

In NORF it looked quite clear for S2000, wasn't it?

Yeah past few seasons at NORF even with Finnish top drivers, group N or should I say PCWRC haven´t had any change of beating the S2000´s . Also what comes to Finnish gr. N it´s impossible to compare those to S2000´s. What I have read and heard, Finnish gr. N drivers who competes internationally are even having different cars to do the international events so them don´t even use the ones of the national championship on those events because it´s easier to do it that way due to all kind of things what them should change. Of course can be wrong too....

I must confess, I didn’t know that. Took a while before I found that chapter. I never read those rules so accurately, just a quick browsing and “OK, they’re the same as 254” and then I missed the 7th chapter.

You’re right. The post from pantealex (34 mm restrictor) explains part of it and in NORF there are more S2000 drivers.

According to the interview made with Pech few days ago, he will have this weekend yust minor changes on his evo9 (lighter side doors and windows), no changes on the suspension....so still not a true R4......But he has one big advantage compare to Longhi-this will be his fourth Satrurnus, Longhi is ''fresh''.......

In Ypres we'll see also a good test with Jasper Vd Heuvel probably be the fastest driver to drive Ypres in a Lancer a better one u'll probably not find.

http://eng.kaps-transmissions.com/pr...l-gearbox.html

It looks like R4 can use sequential gearbox, which is interesting. I'm sure one will come out for the Evo.

It is not allowed. See page 26 specific regulations: http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/864DF82E9559C3BBC125784D005F574B/$FILE/260%20(11-12)-080311.pdf