Test time for Factory/privateers

[RallyCat909]

Someone brought up a good point in another thread about the amount of testing that privateers and smaller teams may not get as opposed to the factory and better financed teams. About how much less time in testing are these teams faced with and what are the rules on the matter?

[Zico]

I may be wrong but as far as Im aware its solely down to the budget available for each team..

[jonkka]

WRC regs say following of the testing (it's all about Manu and Manu Team, privateers are exempt):

26. TESTING
26.1 Definition
Testing is defined as the combined presence of a competitively driven World Rally Car (or of any car prepared to at least Group A specifications and belonging to the same family as a World Rally Car) and personnel employed by or contracted to a team outside the itinerary of a rally.
One test session will be counted for each World Rally Car present at a testing site.

26.2 Permitted testing sites
For Manufacturers or Manufacturer Teams registered in the Championship, testing is permitted:
26.2.1 On a testing site proposed by the Manufacturer or Manufacturer Team and notified to the FIA
26.2.2 In France, Great Britain and N.Ireland, Spain, Italy and the Czech Republic.
26.2.3 For a maximum of four days per calendar year in Finland, Greece and Germany and either Sweden or Norway.

26.3 Duration
26.3.1 In the case of a Manufacturer, for a maximum of 13 sessions (a session shall comprise consecutive days). However, the total number of days shall not exceed 48 in any calendar year. This clause does not apply to testing as stated in clause 26.2.1.

26.3.2 In the case of Manufacturer Teams, for a maximum of 10 sessions (a session shall comprise consecutive days). However, the total number of days shall not exceed 20 in any calendar year. This clause does not apply to testing as stated in clause 26.2.1.

26.3.3 By a Manufacturer or Manufacturer Team representing a make new to the Championship on the day before reconnaissance of any event where testing is otherwise prohibited. Such testing days must be advised to the FIA and the organiser of the relevant World Rally Championship event one week before the test
26.4 Limitation of tyres for testing
For testing, a maximum of 600 tyres in conformity with article 18.1. are authorised (between 1 November 2007 and 31 October 2008). If a Manufacturer or a Manufacturer Team uses tyres in conformity with article 18.1 for testing, the bar codes of the usable tyres must be declared to the FIA (upon the nomination of the test session)

The maximum number of tyres authorised to be used for testing by a Manufacturer Team registered in the Championship or by an entrant registered in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship will be published after the registration closing date for the Championship concerned.

26.5 Banning of testing
For Manufacturers or Manufacturer Teams registered in the Championship, testing is banned:
26.5.1 In all other countries.
26.5.2 In the country of any World Rally Championship round from the start of reconnaissance until the end of the rally.
26.5.3 On any road which is or might be used as a special stage of any current Championship rally.
26.5.4 By permanently nominated P1 drivers other than for the team to which they are contracted.
26.5.5 Teams organising press, media or PR functions who consider they may be contravening this regulation must first advise the FIA and the FIA media delegate.

[Zes]

Latvala told that he had 3 testing days with Stobart Ford in 2007. One on tarmac, one on gravel and one on snow. Also he was practising with his own Corolla WRC before NORF... Now he will run tests before every rally. It really is a big difference.

Also Henning told that he drove Focus 2007 first time in Monte shakedown. Not so many test days for him either.

[DonJippo]

Latvala told that he had 3 testing days with Stobart Ford in 2007. One on tarmac, one on gravel and one on snow. Also he was practising with his own Corolla WRC before NORF... Now he will run tests before every rally. It really is a big difference.

Also Henning told that he drove Focus 2007 first time in Monte shakedown. Not so many test days for him either.

It's a question of money, would need almost twice the money to get a decent test program for the whole season I believe.

[Gard]

Testing was the main reason for Ostberg dropping the deal with SWRT when offered to drive the 3'rd car.

Testing possibilities was very limited. They now has basically the same car and can test as much as they want/can afford.

[RallyCat909]

Thanks guys for the info.

:thumbsup:

[Roy]

From WRC.com

Dave Smith wanted to know where the drivers practise during the off season and between rallies.

Matthew Wilson replied: "That really depends on which team you drive for, as some get more than others, but the WRC doesn't have much of an off-season so the bulk of any testing is fitted in throughout the season. Personally speaking, I don't get many chances to practise between the events, which is why it's so important to keep finishing rallies to get experience. This sport is one of the hardest to practise on. We get to shake down the cars before they leave for each event but that's just a systems check as opposed to proper stage practise. We get a couple of days testing during the year to help us set up the car for the rally conditions though. The bigger teams, like the BP Ford guys get more days testing than us so they have more time in the car."

Read this at wrc.com
http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=201&featureid=622&pageid=607

[Ramone]

Someone brought up a good point in another thread about the amount of testing that privateers and smaller teams may not get as opposed to the factory and better financed teams.

Hasn't this always been the case? It all comes down to money.