After the 2024 edition of the Safari Rally this year, one question kept popping up whenever we stopped nerding out on how cool and fast the Rally 1 cars were and tried to explain it to non-rally fans.
It’s also a question we keep getting asked whenever we reemerge from a Formula 1 weekend and notice that we are explaining how George Russell binned it on the final lap to lose a point-paying position in the Australian Grand Prix.
Is motorsport relevant?
Does Motorsports even matter to the automotive industry?
Our answer to that is, well, YES. Of course.
Here’s why…
Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.
Motorsports, like the Safari Rally, Formula 1, GT3 racing, Dakar, or even NASCAR, with their roaring engines and adrenaline-pumping races, are not only a thrilling spectacle for fans but also an invaluable crucible for technological development within the automotive industry. The high-stakes environment of racing serves as a ground for cutting-edge technologies that often find their way into the cars we drive daily. This transfer of innovation from the track to the street is crucial for pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering, enhancing safety, improving efficiency, and refining overall performance.
Also, if Mercedes-Benz wins on Sunday with a new innovative turbocharger, which they trickle down to their road cars, they will have no problem selling their cars on Monday because they have race-winning technology.
Think of it this way: if Kalle Rovanpera can win the rough and tough Safari Rally in a Toyota GR Yaris due to Toyota’s brilliant AWD system, you will not have a problem getting to your Ushago (rural home) during the holidays with your AWD Toyota RAV4.
Formula 1 Tech for the road.
One of the most prominent examples of this symbiotic relationship between motorsports and the automotive industry is the advancements in aerodynamics. Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport engineering, has consistently driven innovation in aerodynamic design. Concepts such as underbody aerodynamics, front and rear wings, and diffusers that we see in modern road cars owe their origins to the aerodynamic research and development in Formula 1.
For instance, Mercedes-Benz, a powerhouse in both Formula 1 and road car manufacturing, has leveraged its F1 expertise to enhance aerodynamic efficiency in its regular road cars. The active aerodynamics and their aids found in the Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar have been heavily influenced by the aerodynamic principles honed in Formula 1 cars like the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team’s W11.
Let’s also not forget, that the Mercedes-AMG ONE has a rear-mounted Formula 1 engine. An actual Formula 1 engine from the 2015 Mercedes-AMG F1 W06 Formula 1 car with the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit—Heat) and the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit—Kinetic) is now also being planned to be fit into Mercedes’ other mass-produced engines.
Taking less than 24 hours.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship (WEC) have played a pivotal role in driving advancements in hybrid technology. The race to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions has led manufacturers like Toyota to invest heavily in hybrid powertrains for both racing and consumer vehicles. The Toyota TS050 Hybrid, a dominant force in endurance racing, has been instrumental in showcasing the potential of hybrid systems. This technology has directly influenced the development of Toyota’s consumer hybrid lineup, notably the Prius and Camry Hybrid.
Which you can import through CARS360 today! Other cars and brands are also available.
If it’s safe for Indy, it’s safe for us.
IndyCar Racing has been a breeding ground for safety innovations. The introduction of the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier, designed to absorb and dissipate crash energy, has significantly enhanced driver safety in both IndyCar and on public roads. The HANS (Head and Neck Support) device, another safety marvel, was pioneered in motorsports, including IndyCar, and has become a standard safety feature in many production cars.
Rallying and AWD.
The World Rally Championship (WRC) has often driven advancements in all-wheel-drive systems and suspension technology. Automakers like Toyota, Subaru, and Mitsubishi have used WRC to test and showcase their advanced all-wheel-drive systems, like Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive in the Subaru Impreza WRX.
In conclusion, the competitive spirit and desire to outperform competitors in motorsports drive manufacturers to continually push the envelope in terms of performance, safety, and efficiency. In this pursuit of excellence on the track, the automotive industry benefits immensely, resulting in the advancement of technologies that eventually trickle down to our everyday vehicles.
Motorsports is not merely a spectacle of speed and skill; it serves as a laboratory for the development and testing of cutting-edge automotive technologies. From aerodynamics to hybrid powertrains, and safety features to all-wheel-drive systems, motorsports have been fertile ground for innovations that find their way into the cars we drive, improving the driving experience and ultimately making our roads safer and more efficient.
So, the next time you see us blubbing on about Ground Effect, apexes & exits, Hamilton, limited slip diffs, and Ferrari possibly having the best LMH prototype in 2024, remember that whoever wins on Sunday will probably sell you the best car on Monday.
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You can also read 5 interesting things about the Safari Rally.
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Written by,
Antony Madilschy, CARS360 Consultant
