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WRC embraces the dawn of the pocket rocket

As wholesale change sweeps through the WRC and we see a new generation of cars go head-to-head in Sweden this weekend, David Evans explains why the excitement is back in rallying's top class.

It's a new dawn, a new day... And Nina Simone's not the only one who's feeling good. I am too. Very good. It's Sweden and it's snowing. Snowing like mad, actually.

By the time you read this, the waiting will be over, the first shakedown times will be in and we'll have some indication as to where Citroen is in relation to Ford. Up until now, both teams have been working completely in the dark, doing their own thing, going their own way.

There won't be a massive difference in car specification and resultant performance, there can't be, such is the tightness of the new regulations. The power output and level of torque on offer from the 1.6-litre engine is strictly governed by the 33mm restrictor and the transmission is considerably more stock than it was last year.