the prodrive cars ARE legal to drive on public roads, just like my
canadian car was legal to drive abroad. 

ANY car that is registered in ANY country that follows the ITAR
regulations regarding ATA CARNETs can have a road registered car
temporarily imported into another country for up to 2 years (upon which
it must be re-exported back to country of origin). You have to keep the
plates and reg. from country of origin. Hence why the MMUSA and SoA cars
are all running on foreign plates. Also why we have 2 full blown Group N
Evos imported into Canada that ran on Belgian plates. Also how a corolla
WRC was here in Canada 2 years ago... also how for example there is a
Mercedes Smart putting around, lots of cars on Japanese plates which are
RHD, etc. etc.

suffice to say, if people really want to rally in Group N, Group A, or
WRC car or what have you, it is relatively simple to import any car
registered anywhere and drive it in the US, as long as you re-export it
back to country of origin within 2 years. You can go ahead and buy any
car you want abroad, as long as it is registred in an ATA CARNET
following country, then post the export bond (like < 1000), have it
imported into any country of your choice, rally it for 2 years, and sell
it in europe or whatever and send it back. Getting insurance is another
matter, but it can also be done. 

I have 3 brokers I know of that will insure a US/Canada car
internationally and vice-versa for the required road liability to enter
rallies.

-Pat

...........................................................

More info on temporary importations here (for those interested):
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/TempInfo.html

One restriction I think you have is that you can't sell the car. It must
be exported first. Not such a big deal with a Grp N car, plenty of buyers
in Europe or Australia.

-Glenn

...........................................................

Derek it is not shady it is done all the time by manufacturers (like
people who have nothing to do with rally for car shows etc.) and everyone
else (aircraft companies, corporations, etc.). The link Glenn posted to
is not what I am talking about (but falls under similar rules). I am
talking about straight up ATA CARNETs. You can also get a "Carnet" for
you car (which is not a full ATA CARNET but is just for the car). The
ITAR rules for ATA CARNETs, it does not just apply to cars, it applies to
*almost anything*. Essentially, you can import anything and as long as
you re-export it within 2 years, you have no problem. You must re-export
it within 2 years. Nothing stops you from bringing it back a day later.

-Pat