Project Rally One has taken the first major step towards its World Rally Championship debut, beginning testing of its all-new challenger built to the championship’s 2027 technical regulations.
The ambitious project was founded by experienced motorsport engineer Lionel Hansen, former FIA rally director and Citroën WRC boss Yves Matton, together with Prospeed. The group announced its plans last December to design, build and homologate a WRC27-specification car ahead of the start of the championship’s new regulatory era in 2027.
Project Rally One is one of two independent tuner operations to have committed to the new regulations, alongside Spanish outfit RMC Motorsport. The revised rules represent a significant change for the WRC, allowing private tuners to become constructors and develop their own cars for the championship.
After revealing the first render of its new machine in June, Project Rally One has now moved into the crucial testing phase. According to French publication L’Équipe, the car completed its first rollout at a circuit in Germany, covering approximately 300 kilometres during the initial test.
The prototype was powered by a 1.6-litre Volkswagen Group engine, a powerplant with proven rally credentials after being used successfully in Škoda Fabia Rally2 and Volkswagen Polo Rally2 machinery. The testing programme reportedly involved three drivers, with former factory WRC driver Stéphane Lefebvre among those given the opportunity to drive the new car.
The first kilometres represent an important milestone for Project Rally One as it works to develop and refine the car ahead of homologation and its planned WRC programme.
While the project remains in its early stages, the team is expected to enter two cars during roughly half of the 2027 season. If those plans come to fruition, Project Rally One could become one of the most interesting new additions to the WRC grid as the championship enters a new technical era.
With testing now underway, attention will turn to the car’s development, reliability and performance as Project Rally One begins the race against time to be ready for its highly anticipated WRC debut in 2027.
"We did indeed complete three days of testing", Hansen said to L’Equipe.
"The car was subjected to significant stress on the kerbs and at high speeds, and we covered approximately 300 kilometres without encountering any problems.
"The goal is to field two cars starting with Monte Carlo.
"We're progressing faster than expected and will be conducting a series of tests, on asphalt in September and then on gravel in October, a month ahead of the initial schedule".
Source: Motorsport.com
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