Project Rally One, a privateer effort from Belgium led by Lionel Hansen, has unveiled its first car built to the new WRC27 regulations. The car bears a striking resemblance to the Porsche Macan, catching the eye of fans and pundits alike. This project represents a new hope for privateer teams aiming to compete in the World Rally Championship without major manufacturer backing.
Extensive Testing and Homologation Plans
Experienced drivers Bruno Thiry and Stephane Lefebvre have completed five days of asphalt testing, covering 750 kilometres. Teemu Suninen is also set to test with the team. The car is scheduled for FIA homologation on November 1. Following homologation, further asphalt tests will take place next week before moving to gravel in October. The ambitious goal is to field two Rally One cars at the 2027 Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Porsche Connection and VW Group Engine
Despite the visual similarity to Porsche, there is no formal tie-up with the German brand. Hansen revealed that he spoke with Porsche, but they could not offer support due to budget commitments for the 2027 season. “Porsche follow the project, but they didn’t pay anything or help us more than that,” Hansen said. The car is powered by a Volkswagen Group-badged engine, similar to the unit used by Skoda in its Fabia RS Rally2. This indicates a serious technical foundation for the project.
WRC Promoter’s Praise
Julien Vial, Chief Operating Officer of WRC Promoter, praised the initiative. “Project Rally One is an exciting example of the ambition that WRC is attracting as the championship continues to evolve,” he said. He emphasised that building a car from scratch requires significant commitment, investment, and belief from all involved. Vial added that this is about more than just having another car on the stages; it enriches the entire rally ecosystem.
WRC27 Regulations and the Future of Privateers
The WRC27 regulations aim to lower barriers to entry and incentivise privateer efforts. With controlled costs, private teams like Project Rally One can compete without manufacturer-level budgets. The car will contest part-time in the 2027 WRC and the Belgian Rally Championship. Its presence is expected to inspire more privateers to join the sport and strengthen competition at the top level.
With a packed testing schedule and clear targets, Project Rally One proves that competing in WRC is not impossible for independent teams. All eyes are now on the next steps, especially after homologation and its debut at Monte-Carlo. If successful, it could mark a new chapter in rally history.
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