Apeksas school · WRC 2026

How a Rally1 car works

Tap any part of a real 2026 Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 to see how it survives jumps, gravel and ice. No dense jargon — from the driver to the pace notes.

1 180 kg
min. weight: >370 AG
power: 270 mm
damper travel: €700 tūkst.–1 mln.*
car value

* All figures are estimates from public sources, not official FIA or manufacturer prices.

Tap a dot on the car or keep scrollingPhoto: Toyota Gazoo Racing · 2026 GR Yaris Rally1

01 of 12

Engine & 35 mm restrictor

What it is: A 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engine makes more than 370 PS. A 35 mm air opening limits how much it can breathe, keeping different manufacturers close on power.
Why it matters: The hybrid has been gone since 2025, so in 2026 this combustion engine does all the driving. Teams chase quick response out of slow corners, not just a peak number.
What it costs: €120–200k per package; A public estimate for the complete engine package.
Remember this: The 2026 engine makes over 370 PS through an air opening smaller than a table-tennis ball.

02 of 12

Turbo & anti-lag

What it is: The turbo compresses air going into the engine. Anti-lag keeps it ready when the driver briefly lifts off, which is why the exhaust cracks and sometimes spits flame.
Why it matters: There is no time between corners to wait for the turbo to wake up. Immediate response lets the driver meter traction on a loose surface.
What it costs: €20–45k per system
Remember this: Those loud bangs are not a fault — they mean the turbo is being kept ready for the next launch.

03 of 12

270 mm suspension travel

What it is: Strong MacPherson suspension sits at both ends, with 270 mm of damper travel. The team changes ride height and stiffness for tarmac, gravel or snow.
Why it matters: The wheels must follow a broken road while the body is still landing from a jump. Lose tyre contact and steering, braking and drive disappear together.
What it costs: €35–70k per set
Remember this: A damper's 270 mm travel is nearly the height of an A4 sheet of paper.

04 of 12

Gravel tyres

What it is: Gravel uses 15-inch wheels with tall-sidewall Hankook tyres and chunky tread. Smooth tarmac gets an 18-inch set, while snow calls for studs.
Why it matters: The tall, flexible sidewall absorbs rocks and the tread digs into loose ground. A tyre choice can win a rally or leave the car in a ditch.
What it costs: €1.6–2.8k per set
Remember this: The same Rally1 races on both 15- and 18-inch wheels in one season — chosen for the road, not looks.

05 of 12

5-speed sequential gearbox

What it is: A mechanical five-speed gearbox only allows the next or previous gear. The driver gives one short push or pull, with no H-pattern gate to search through.
Why it matters: Both hands are needed on the wheel over rough ground. A short, definite shift reduces mistakes and restores drive faster.
What it costs: €60–100k per unit
Remember this: Top gear is set for roughly 201 km/h — rally values acceleration, not a 300 km/h headline.

06 of 12

Mechanical differentials

What it is: The four-wheel-drive system has one mechanical differential at the front and one at the rear. They share drive between left and right without complex electronic control.
Why it matters: In one corner some wheels may be on gravel and others on mud. The right locking action uses whichever tyre still has grip.
What it costs: €40–80k per pair
Remember this: The 2026 Rally1 manages four-wheel drive with two mechanical differentials — simpler than the old World Rally Cars.

07 of 12

Safety cell

What it is: Beneath the road-car shape sits a purpose-built spaceframe and reinforced crew cell. Seats, belts and door protection are designed to manage a crash.
Why it matters: Rally runs between trees, rocks and ditches, so a car can roll repeatedly. The cell must preserve space for two people while the outside is sacrificed.
What it costs: €120–220k per structure
Remember this: This is not a modified road-going Yaris shell — the 2026 Rally1 has its own purpose-built spaceframe.

08 of 12

Wings & airflow

What it is: A large rear wing, front splitter and wide body edges press the car into the road. Toyota introduced a new rear wing in its 2026 homologation update.
Why it matters: Downforce settles the car through fast corners and over crests, but every piece must survive rocks and landings. Rally aero has to be tough first.
What it costs: €45–100k per package
Remember this: The wing still matters while the car is briefly airborne, helping set up a stable landing.

09 of 12

Underbody skid plate

What it is: A tough plate beneath the engine and transmission takes hits that would puncture vital parts. Gravel ride height is taller, but the shield still skims rocks.
Why it matters: One sharp rock can end an entire weekend. A few extra kilograms of protection are faster than scoring zero at the finish.
What it costs: €6–15k per set
Remember this: Sparks under the car often mean the shield did its job, not that the engine has fallen apart.

10 of 12

Hydraulic handbrake

What it is: A tall lever briefly locks the rear wheels. The driver uses it to rotate through a very tight corner, then reconnects four-wheel drive with the throttle.
Why it matters: When the road turns almost 180 degrees, steering alone is not enough. The handbrake turns the rear axle into a pivot and saves whole seconds.
What it costs: €2–6k per system
Remember this: In a hairpin the driver can work the wheel, handbrake, brake and throttle in one flowing move.

11 of 12

Co-driver & pace notes

What it is: The co-driver reads the driver's road code ahead: direction, severity, distance, crest or danger. “L4 100 C R3” calls a left, 100 metres, then a right after a crest.
Why it matters: The driver is moving too fast to see the next corner yet. Trusting the voice allows braking and turning before the road reveals itself.
What it costs: €2–8k per rally preparation; A public estimate for recce, equipment and pace-note preparation.
Remember this: Rally1 is the only car in this school where a second person directly creates speed.

12 of 12

Spare wheel

What it is: The crew carries one or two spare wheels and changes them on the stage. Every extra spare adds weight, but it can save the rally.
Why it matters: There can be dozens of competitive kilometres between services. A puncture with no spare means crawling on the rim or not finishing.
What it costs: €1.8–3.2k per wheel
Remember this: Driver and co-driver can change one wheel roadside in roughly ninety seconds — while the rally clock keeps running.

= 12

The whole: €700k–1M for 1,180 kg

The 2026 GR Yaris Rally1 has no single magic part. Its engine, 270 mm travel, mechanical differentials and skid plate prepare the tool; the last metres come from two people joining road, voice and car with precision. Now see who leads the WRC.

* All figures are estimates from public sources, not official FIA or manufacturer prices.

Who leads the WRC WRC calendar