Performance Factor

A new concept for the classification of Category 1 cars in hill climb.

The Performance factor (“the Pf”) is a new method of classifying the cars, aimed at making FIA Hill Climb Competitions as inclusive as possible.
From 2020, the FIA is introducing the Pf in the FIA European Hill Climb Championship, the FIA International Hill Climb Cup and the FIA Hill Climb Masters, contested by Drivers entering cars of Category 1.

Cars

The target:

  • all closed cars competing in Category 1 (Groups N, A, GT, S20, R1-R5) or in Group E1 of the FIA;
  • homologated or non-homologated cars;
  • cars coming from national groups;
  • cars coming from single-make series.


Goals

- To give the greatest number of competitors the possibility of entering FIA hill climbs in Category 1.
- To introduce a simplified, horizontal classification system (at all levels, including national groups and FIA groups) that is applicable to all national or international championships.
- To implement common and minimal technical regulations while harmonising the FIA safety prescriptions.


Performance Factor (the “Pf”)

Each car is identified by a number of performance points (the Pf) determined by the calculation of 5 components: “racing weight”, “engine”, “aerodynamics”, “drivetrain” and “chassis”.
At an FIA event, the cars are grouped in 5 different groups according to their performance level.
 


2024 Season

Category 1 Drivers
Before registering with the organiser of a FIA Hill Climb Competition, competitors and drivers must:
- have registered the entered car on the Pf website;
- have filled in the Pf Technical Sheet;
- have obtained the two Pf and PF-ID identifiers associated with the entered car.

In 2024, the Pf-ID number of Category 1 cars is a 10-digit code starting with Y5C1.XXX.XXX

The issuing of Pf-ID technical sheets for all Category 1 cars will be subject to payment.

  • The Pf-ID technical sheets will be payable by credit card only.
  • Credit card payment will only be required when the Pf-ID technical sheet is issued.

Costs:

  • A fee of 25 EUR for the issuing of two Pf-ID technical sheets (which will enable individuals to produce a sheet and its variant).
  • An additional fee of 10 EUR for each supplementary technical sheet throughout the season.


Category 2 Drivers
A Pf calculator for Category 2 cars will be available from the start of 2024 season for simulation purposes.
This version of the Pf calculator for Category 2 cars will remain free of charge in 2024, as the introduction of the Pf in this category within FIA Hill Climb will not be made official until 2025.

For simulation purposes, before registering with the organiser of a FIA European Hill Climb  Championship Competition, Category 2 competitors and drivers must:
- have registered the entered car on the Pf website;
- have filled in the Pf Technical Sheet;
- have obtained the two Pf and PF-ID identifiers associated with the entered car.

In 2024, the Pf-ID number of Category 2 cars is a 10-digit code starting with Y5C2.XXX.XXX
 

Pf Website

To obtain the Pf of the car, the driver fills in a technical form online. The online application handles the processing of the technical information and facilitates the use of the Pf formula (instantaneous calculation of the Pf). The procedure is free and personalised (around 40 fields to fill in). 

Test the Pf of your car on the Pf website : www.fiaperformancefactor.com

 

2024 Technical Appendix - Category 1 cars

The Technical Appendix "Article 258-1" of Appendix J determines the eligibility criteria for FIA Category 1 cars. This document was approved by the World Motor Sport Council of 19 October 2022. 


Frequently asked questions (FAQ)


Pf Presentation (Concept of Car Classification - 2019 version!)


Press Release


Contact
Any questions? – email: pf@fia.com