Race cars, rally cars might seem normal and conventional from the exterior but from underneath they are pretty different. To gain advantage while racing these cars go through extensive changes. A interior strip down for Weight Reduction is compulsory. Beyond that vehicles also have engine and suspension changes that are necessary for race competition.
Race Car Body Work
Race vehicles generally are stripped to save up on weight, often the panels of the car are harnessed for better rigidity. In certain cases the chassis of the vehicle are reinforced as well to ensure that it can easily take the beatings of a rally course or a race track with ease. Beyond that they are fitted with Roll Cages and additional safety features such as a fire extinguisher kit as well.
Race Car Interior Changes
The seats of the race car are often changed to provide the driver with comfort and to accommodate a three point seatbelt system that is necessary to keep the driver safe.
Race Car Suspension Changes
Race cars suspension are meant to help the drivers drive fast and help them achieve better car control. Longevity of use is not a concern for race car contributors. Often Indian rally cars are fitted with Reigers Suspensions, they allow the driver to have full control over the stability of the vehicle. A rally car suspension is tweaked throughout a rally stage for optimum performance.
Engine Changes
Race rules do not allow drivers to gain any unfair advantage by tweaking the engine. Drivers often use modified engine control units. These allow them to improve the performance by managing ignition timings and increasing the fuel supply to the engine for better performance.
Tire Changes
Race cars have different tires that are usually made out of special compounds and cannot be used on road cars. These tires have strong sidewalls for better traction and impact absorption. Just like F1 Tires rally cars also have soft, hard and medium compound tires.
While India has had a decreasing stake in motorsports several motoring enthusiasts often arrange rally stages in India. Deccan Rally, Backwaters rally as well as Maruti Suzuki Uttarakhand Rally are only some of the stages that enthusiasts can participate in. Often if you are rallying in advanced competitions you would have to make necessary changes to your vehicles, these would involve all the steps that have been enlisted above.
