Demystifying Homologated Cars: What You Need to Know

We keep hearing about homologated cars but how clear is that concept to us? Let’s try and understand it.
Different countries have different rules about how the cars driving on their roads should be like. Starting from the side of the car where the wheel is installed and up to the tires and many other details.

A homologated car means it complies with a certain country’s requirements. 

Homologation is also for race cars. Before they can zoom around a track, they need to tick all the boxes to make sure they're safe and follow the racing rules.

Now, you might hear about 'homologation specials'. These are not your everyday cars. They're born when car makers want to get their cars into races like the World Rally Championship. They need to follow strict rules, but here's the cool part: the manufacturers have to sell some of these beefed-up race cars to people like you and me. That's why sometimes you see these high-performance beasts that are technically road cars, but with a serious racing edge.

These homologation specials are the superheroes of cars. They have more muscle, they're dressed up with all sorts of fancy gear for safety and speed, and they look a bit like the cars in showrooms but with an extra dose of awesome. And the best bit? They inspire car companies to make the kind of cars that make us car nuts go wild.

Let's name-drop some famous homologation specials. Ever heard of the Chevy Camaro Z/28 from '67? Or the BMW M3 E30? These ones are pioneering homologation and Subaru Impreza WRX STI is not far from it all. 

Getting a car homologated for a race is quite a complicated process, as the rules differ from country to country, while when it comes to motorsports, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the king of the castle.

Besides keeping an eye on what’s ok and what’s not ok for cars, they’re also into checking car parts, drivers’ gear, and race tracks.

So basically, homologation is all about getting wild but keeping it safe. Well, as safe as it can get on those wild tracks.