Rally cars sure look quirky and fun. And it definitely can take a lot of beating off the road. But, have you ever wondered what goes into making these cars so durable and capable? We delve deep into the build quality and interiors of rally cars to understand how it manages to withstand the harsh conditions in which it is driven. Read below to find out.
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Road cars come with a comfortable and convenient drive for passengers. They have padding, air conditioning, proper dashboards, sauve cabins, and regular seats - all designed for everyday use. On the other hand, rally cars are stripped down to the bone. The chassis is fitted with a hollow outer shell that is strengthened and reinforced to take the beating of rally sections. They are also much more lightweight than road-going cars, which make it faster. What's more, they have roll cages for extra safety so that drivers are not injured in the event of an accident.
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A roll cage is a specially engineered and constructed frame built in the passenger compartment of a vehicle to protect its occupants from being injured or killed in an accident, particularly in the event of a rollover.
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Rally cars do not get the normal suspension that come fitted in street cars for long-distance travel. Instead it comes with ones that can take corners, hit bumps and cross roads at very high speeds. Mostly, rally cars use adjustable suspension which allows you to change the height of the car, the strength of the suspension, the degree of rotation of the car, and much more.
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The rally cars are specially equipped with an impact guard called a skid plate, which is at the bottom of the engine. It helps protect the gearbox from being hit by a rock collision during higher speeds. International cars often use carbon-fibre skid plates to reduce the weight of the car.
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Rally cars come fitted with FIA-approved bucket seats. The seat height is lower and the sides hug the driver, so that the driver doesn't slip out in tough terrains. Moreover, the five-point seat belts are used to keep drivers in place even when the car is jumping.
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Most rally cars use special composite tyres which cannot be used on road vehicles. These tyres get an extremely strong side wall that absorbs significant impact in off-road conditions at high speeds. The tyres come in strong, medium and soft, which drivers choose based on the stage location.
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The bonnet scoops help release the hot air of the engine. Cold air enters through the engine grill, pushing hot air out with a bonnet scoop. This keeps cool air around the engine, so that the car does not overheat.
Air scoops are installed on the roof of the car to allow cool air to enter the car. Rally cars do not have air conditioners to reduce the weight of the car. The only way to keep the air cool and fresh is to install scoops. They also have built-in filters to prevent dust from entering the cabin.
Bonnet clips are inserted onto rally cars as they are quicker and easier to cater to in case emergencies. Street cars usually come with bonnet locks that are placed under the bonnet but it has the tendency to get jammed. So rally drivers disable the stock bonnet lock and install bonnet clips for convenience. Bonnet locks also tend to release on impact, which would make them snap back and break the windshield. Bonnet clips secure the bonnet from the sides of the car and don't release even in accidents.
These are steel plates that are screwed onto the bumpers. Bumper clips are an added feature in rally cars, so that the bumper does not fall off easily.
