Project Rally One unveils new WRC27 car to the public
Project Rally One has publicly presented its new WRC27 car in Belgium, which has already covered about 1,000 test kilometers with a much larger test program planned ahead. The team says lineup decisions are on hold while it focuses on finishing and homologating the car.
The new WRC27-class rally car built by team Project Rally One was shown to the public for the first time at an event in Belgium on Friday. Since its unveiling, the car has already covered roughly 1,000 kilometers on tarmac, with around 2,000 additional test kilometers planned over the next six weeks on both asphalt and gravel surfaces.
The project currently employs 21 full-time staff. The car uses an engine from the Volkswagen Group related to the unit found in the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, while the bodywork was developed by Paris-based company Faster Racing.
Intensive testing schedule
Technical director Lionel Hansen described a demanding weekly testing routine, with a minimum of three test days every week. Following this week's session in Belgium, tarmac testing continues next week in France. Once a ten-day block of asphalt testing concludes, the team will have five weeks to complete a further ten days of gravel testing.
Drivers involved
Both experienced competitors and rising talents are taking part in the test program. Six of eight planned drivers have been named so far: Stephane Lefebvre, Teemu Suninen, Freddy Loix, Bruno Thiry, Quentin Gilbert, and Raphael Astier. Hansen highlighted Bruno Thiry's role in providing valuable feedback and close ties to the team, and noted Freddy Loix's strong recent performance at the Ypres Rally. European Rally Champion Teemu Suninen has been specifically brought in for gravel testing, and the team plans to announce two more drivers.
Sporting director Alan Penasse said that despite strong interest from other drivers, no decisions have yet been made on the lineup for competition, with current priority given to finishing and homologating the car. Penasse also suggested the team may focus more on developing younger drivers in the future, noting that it is currently difficult for young talent to break into rallying.
