RMC Motorsport plans to roll out its 2027 World Rally Championship challenger in October ahead of a plan to contest at least half of the WRC rounds next year, before a full campaign in 2028.
The Spanish squad has become the second tuner operation to commit to the WRC’s 2027 technical regulations after unveiling plans to develop a car in partnership with FIA member club, Real Federacion Espanola de Automovilismo (RFEDA).
RMC Motorsport is a renowned rally car builder in Spain founded by Roberto Mendez in 2004. The operation has nearly a decade of experience in the development of Group N5 rally cars, which have competed across national and international championships.
The team will join fellow tuner Project Rally One from Belgium and Toyota Gazoo Racing as constructors that have committed to building a new car for the WRC’s new technical rules, which come into force from 2027. Under the framework, cars are cost-capped at €345,000, feature a tubular safety cell, double-wishbone suspension, four-wheel-drive configuration and are powered by a sustainably fuelled 1.6-litre turbocharged internal combustion engine.
RMC Motorsport’s plan to take on the WRC was revealed to the media at the Rally Islas Canarias, so what do we know so far?
The WRC 2027 challenger
Work is well underway to design and develop its WRC 2027 challenger, with the plan for its maiden rollout earmarked for October. RMC Motorsport confirmed that the car will not be linked to a current road car model and will feature an original bodywork design.
The origin of its powertrain is yet to be decided, although the team confirmed it is in discussions with a current Rally2 car maker over engines.
RMC Motorsport confirmed that initial testing will be conducted by former circuit racer turned rally driver Javier Villa. The 38-year-old has experience competing in GP2 [now Formula 2] and the World Touring Car Championship, before turning to rallying in 2021. Villa, who has enjoyed success in hillclimb racing, has been a regular in Spain’s national rally championship.
“Obviously the plan is to work with different test drivers, but the plan is to first work with Javier Villa who is one of the most experienced drivers we have in Spain,” said Manuel Avino FIA vice-president for sport, Europe and president of the Royal Spanish Automobile Federation.
The new WRC rules rollout in 2027
Photo by: FIA
“He has had a successful career in many different international championships. He was driving in GP2 years ago and testing F1 cars for factory teams and is a big champion in hillclimb and also he has experience in rallying. All the knowledge and know how is going to be so valuable to make the first step with this new car.”
RMC Motorsport aims to run cars under its own banner as well as construct cars to sell to customers.
“The priority first of all is to be able to make a reliable car, and later with big support and big effort of all his team to try to be battling for WRC victories,” said Mendez. “We have built 14 different N5 cars with different body shells [in the past] and the big priority is to sell cars and to get into the WRC industry. At the same time we want to win and be in the battle for the top.”
When will RMC’s new car make its WRC debut?
RMC Motorsport has ruled out contesting the full 2027 WRC programme but intends to contest at least half the rounds ahead of a full campaign in 2028. It is unclear if the team will be ready to compete in the opening round of the 2027 season in Monte Carlo next January, but there is hope to contest the next European round.
“According to the new regulations, the plan at this moment is to be able to compete at least half of the WRC season in 2027 and after that for 2028 the aim is to do the whole WRC programme but we don’t know at this moment if Monte Carlo is going to be possible to compete there,” said Avino.
Who will drive the car in 2027?
The aim of the project is to promote Spanish drivers to the forefront of the WRC, but the team is yet to conclude its driver line-up for 2027.
“It is too soon to ask the question [of drivers]. We have very good drivers on the table and one of them is racing with Hyundai [Dani Sordo] so at the moment our priority is to build and develop the car. Then we will think about drivers. It is not decided yet,” said Avino.
“Fortunately, we have many good drivers in Spain. We are proud to have achieved [success] with the Solans [brothers Nil and Jan] and [Efren] Llarena [2022 ERC champion] and now we have Alejandro Cachon [WRC2 contender]. We have very good drivers at the moment and now the priority is to develop the car. We will see in the future.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
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