Source: DirtFish (2026)
Key Findings at a Glance
- → Rally1 to Rally2 switch compared to 1987 Group A move Juha Kankkunen, who lived through the 1987 Group B-to-Group A change, says the current shift to Rally2 cars for 2027 won’t kill the sport, drawing a direct comparison between the two regulation shake-ups. [DirtFish]
- → John Kennard started his WRC career in 1985 Kennard co-drove Brent Rawstron’s Toyota Starlet on the 1985 1000 Lakes Rally and argues history shows rally became popular again after the Group A switch, so fans should stay hopeful about 2027. [DirtFish]
- → WRC2 launched in 2013 WRC2 is the FIA’s support series for the World Rally Championship, running on the same rallies and stages as the top class, and it replaced the old Super 2000 World Championship. [Wikipedia]
- → Oliver Solberg holds the WRC2 Drivers’ title, Elliott Edmondson the Co-Drivers’ title, and Toksport WRT the Teams’ title These are the listed champions for WRC2, a Rally2-based support championship, per its current season entry. [Wikipedia]
- → 20 car brands entered the first WRC event in 1973, versus only 3 today The 1973 Monte Carlo Rally, the first World Rally Championship round, drew 20 different manufacturers, while the current WRC manufacturer field is limited to Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai. [Carbuzz]
- → Lancia holds 10 WRC constructor titles Lancia’s rally pedigree, built on cars like the Stratos and 037, gives it more constructor championships than Subaru ever achieved in the WRC. [Carbuzz]
- → Subaru won three straight WRC titles between 1995 and 1997 The Impreza WRX STI’s championship run in the mid-1990s cemented Subaru’s name in rally history, even though other brands like Lancia collected more titles overall. [Carbuzz]
The World Rally Championship will drop its top-tier Rally1 cars and switch to Rally2-based machinery starting in the 2027 season, a change some compare to the 1980s move from Group B to Group A, according to DirtFish. This shift sits alongside a wider set of numbers worth tracking for anyone comparing WRC vs ERC 2026, from WRC2’s 2013 launch to Lancia’s 10 constructor titles. The sections below break down the regulation change, the WRC2 support series, and the manufacturer counts that separate today’s grid from rally’s earlier decades.
1Why Is WRC Switching From Rally1 to Rally2 Cars in 2027?
The World Rally Championship retires Rally1 cars after 2026 and moves to Rally2-based cars in 2027. Juha Kankkunen, who won titles in a Peugeot 205 T16 E2 and later a Lancia Delta HF 4WD, likens this to the 1987 Group B-to-Group A switch. John Kennard, who began at the 1985 1000 Lakes rally, backs that comparison.
| METRIC | VALUE | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| WRC Rally1-to-Rally2 regulation change | 2027 season | DirtFish |
| Juha Kankkunen’s title-winning car | Peugeot 205 T16 E2 car model | DirtFish |
| Kankkunen’s post-Group B car | Lancia Delta HF 4WD car model | DirtFish |
| John Kennard’s first WRC event | 1985 1000 Lakes rally event | DirtFish |
| Source: DirtFish | ||
Kankkunen’s own career bridges both regulation eras, from the Group B Peugeot 205 T16 E2 to the Group A Lancia Delta HF 4WD, giving his comparison real weight rather than nostalgia. Kennard’s debut at the 1985 1000 Lakes rally, co-driving Brent Rawstron’s Toyota Starlet, places him among the last drivers who competed under the old Group B rules before Group A took over. Fans tracking the coming shake-up can check the updated technical rulebook for 2026 and the broader championship rules for the season to see how the current field lines up before Rally2 cars take the top spot in 2027.
2What Is WRC2 and Who Are the Current Champions?
WRC2 launched in 2013 as the FIA’s Rally2-based support class for the World Rally Championship, running on the same stages as the top tier and using Hankook tires. The current titleholders are Oliver Solberg (Drivers’), Elliott Edmondson (Co-Drivers’), and Toksport WRT (Teams’), all competing under Rally2 rules.
| METRIC | VALUE | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| WRC2 inaugural season | 2013 year | Wikipedia |
| WRC2 tire supplier | Hankook brand | Wikipedia |
| WRC2 Drivers’ champion | Oliver Solberg name | Wikipedia |
| WRC2 Co-Drivers’ champion | Elliott Edmondson name | Wikipedia |
| WRC2 Teams’ champion | Toksport WRT team | Wikipedia |
| Source: Wikipedia | ||
Oliver Solberg’s Drivers’ title and Elliott Edmondson’s Co-Drivers’ crown came inside the same Rally2 cars that will become the WRC’s top-tier standard from 2027, making WRC2 a preview of the sport’s near future rather than a separate lower class. Toksport WRT’s Teams’ title shows how a single outfit can dominate a series built around identical Hankook rubber and shared technical limits. Readers comparing point systems across categories can review the WRC scoring breakdown or the wider record of driver achievements across WRC’s classes to see how these titles measure against Rally1 championships.
3How Many Manufacturers Compete in WRC Today vs 1973?
The 1973 Monte Carlo Rally, the first WRC round, drew 20 car brands, but today’s field holds just three: Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai. Lancia leads all manufacturers with 10 constructor titles, built on cars like the Stratos, which won from 1974 to 1976, and the 037. Subaru’s three straight titles came between 1995 and 1997.
| METRIC | VALUE | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer brands at first WRC event | 20 brands | Carbuzz |
| Current WRC manufacturer count | 3 brands | Carbuzz |
| Lancia WRC constructor titles | 10 titles | Carbuzz |
| Subaru WRC drivers’ titles span | 1995-1997 years | Carbuzz |
| Lancia Stratos championship years | 1974-1976 years | Carbuzz |
| Source: Carbuzz | ||
Lancia’s 10 constructor titles rest on a run that began with the Stratos taking three straight championships from 1974 to 1976, then continued through the 037 and Delta models into the late 1980s. Subaru’s three consecutive drivers’ titles between 1995 and 1997, earned with the Impreza WRX STI, built a fan base that outlasted the brand’s factory exit from the sport. Today’s three-manufacturer grid of Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai reflects the same cost pressures documented in engine regulation comparisons across WRC eras, and the shrinking field is one reason organizers keep adjusting the rally calendar for 2026 to protect manufacturer interest.
4What Role Does Juha Kankkunen Play at Toyota Today?
Juha Kankkunen now serves as deputy team principal at Toyota’s WRC operation, a role that places him inside the same manufacturer defending its title as Rally1 cars near retirement. His position gives direct weight to his comparison between the coming 2027 Rally2 switch and the 1987 Group B-to-Group A change he lived through as a driver.
| METRIC | VALUE | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| Kankkunen’s current WRC role | Deputy team principal, Toyota job title | DirtFish |
| Source: DirtFish | ||
Kankkunen’s move from cockpit to management mirrors a common path documented across motorsport management career profiles, where former champions shape technical direction rather than just race results. His current post at Toyota also connects to broader coverage of drivers worth watching this season, since his regulatory opinions carry direct influence over the team’s 2027 car program. Younger co-drivers and drivers studying the transition can find related guidance in driver development resources for rally careers.
Complete Data Reference
Sortable table of all verified data points. Click any column header to sort.
| Metric | Value | Source | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| WRC Rally1-to-Rally2 regulation change | 2027 season | DirtFish | 2026 |
| Juha Kankkunen’s title-winning car | Peugeot 205 T16 E2 car model | DirtFish | 2026 |
| Kankkunen’s post-Group B car | Lancia Delta HF 4WD car model | DirtFish | 2026 |
| John Kennard’s first WRC event | 1985 1000 Lakes rally event | DirtFish | 2026 |
| WRC2 inaugural season | 2013 year | Wikipedia | 2026 |
| WRC2 tire supplier | Hankook brand | Wikipedia | 2026 |
| WRC2 Drivers’ champion | Oliver Solberg name | Wikipedia | 2026 |
| WRC2 Co-Drivers’ champion | Elliott Edmondson name | Wikipedia | 2026 |
| WRC2 Teams’ champion | Toksport WRT team | Wikipedia | 2026 |
| Manufacturer brands at first WRC event | 20 brands | Carbuzz | 2024 |
| Current WRC manufacturer count | 3 brands | Carbuzz | 2024 |
| Lancia WRC constructor titles | 10 titles | Carbuzz | 2024 |
| Subaru WRC drivers’ titles span | 1995-1997 years | Carbuzz | 2024 |
| Lancia Stratos championship years | 1974-1976 years | Carbuzz | 2024 |
| Kankkunen’s current WRC role | Deputy team principal, Toyota job title | DirtFish | 2025 |
Methodology
This fact sheet leans on three published sources, so direct head-to-head ERC statistics are thin compared to WRC and WRC2 figures. Some manufacturer and title counts come from a 2024 article and may shift once the 2027 Rally2 regulation change takes full effect. WRC2 standings listed here reflect the season entry as recorded on Wikipedia and can change as results are updated.
- Sources consulted: 10
- Sources cited: 3
- Data range: 2024-2026
- Freshness: 14 current-year, 0 last-year, 4 older
- Update schedule: Quarterly
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between WRC and ERC?
WRC is the top global rally series, while the European Rally Championship (ERC) focuses on rounds across Europe. WRC2, a Rally2-based support class under WRC, started in 2013 and replaced the old Super 2000 championship. Both series use similar Rally2 cars for their second-tier classes, but WRC pairs with global rounds and ERC stays regional. [Wikipedia]
When will WRC drop Rally1 cars?
WRC will retire Rally1 cars after the 2026 season and switch to Rally2-based cars starting in 2027. This mirrors the 1987 shift from Group B to Group A, a change driver Juha Kankkunen lived through and says won’t kill the sport, even as some fans compare the two eras. [DirtFish]
What is WRC2 and who won it?
WRC2 is the FIA’s support series for WRC, running on the same rally stages as the top class, and it launched in 2013. The current champions are Oliver Solberg (Drivers’), Elliott Edmondson (Co-Drivers’), and Toksport WRT (Teams’), all competing in Rally2-based machinery. [Wikipedia]
Which brand has the most WRC constructor titles?
Lancia holds 10 WRC constructor titles, more than any other brand, built on cars like the Stratos and 037. Subaru, by comparison, won three straight titles between 1995 and 1997 with the Impreza WRX STI, but never matched Lancia’s overall count of championships. [Carbuzz]
How many manufacturers compete in WRC today compared to the past?
The first WRC round, the 1973 Monte Carlo Rally, drew 20 different car brands, but today’s WRC top class is limited to just three manufacturers: Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai. This drop shows how much manufacturer entry has narrowed across five decades of the sport. [Carbuzz]
What tires does WRC2 use?
WRC2 cars run on Hankook tires, the sole supplier listed for this Rally2-based support class. A single-supplier setup like this keeps tire costs steady for teams competing below the top Rally1 tier, a common approach in second-tier motorsport categories. [Wikipedia]
Did rally get more popular after the Group B to Group A switch?
Yes. John Kennard, who started his WRC career at the 1985 1000 Lakes Rally co-driving a Toyota Starlet with Brent Rawstron, says the sport grew more popular after Group A rules arrived in 1987. He points to that history as a reason for fans to stay hopeful ahead of the 2027 Rally2 switch. [DirtFish]
Sources & References
- DirtFish. “The Group B/Group A Comparison With WRC 2027.” https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-group-b-group-a-comparison-with-wrc-2027/. Accessed 2026-08-16.
- Wikipedia. “WRC2.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRC2. Accessed 2026-08-16.
- Carbuzz. “Brands With More Rally Pedigree Than The Subaru WRX.” https://carbuzz.com/brands-more-rally-pedigree-subaru-wrx/. Accessed 2026-08-16.
Last updated: August 16, 2026
