2 BTCC cars, Donington, Brands Hatch, Laguna Seca. That’s cool content, on paper. But have they executed the content well? Today we’ll find out the worth of the Q2 2022 rFactor 2 content drop. (Disclaimer: This content is NOT sponsored.)
The BTCC cars
Toyota Corolla GR Sport
I’ve already taken a look at the FWD Toyota Corolla GR Sport compared to RaceRoom’s WTCRs here.
To give you a quick round up about this beauty:
It’s challenging your ability. Really is. It feels like you’d expect a FWD touring car to feel. That is to say: If in doubt, just hammer the gas. If you are in the dry. And on the tarmac. Slicks don’t do too well on grass.
Can I just exclaim:
Why is the car called “GR Sport”? That means “Gazoo Racing Sport”. So is it a sport version of a sports car? Is there a non-sports version? Who knows?
Infiniti Q50
If you know how the Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4 handles in Assetto Corsa Competizione, you can get an idea about the Infiniti. No traction control, no ABS, rear-wheel drive.
Now the Infiniti’s engine delivers about 100hp less, which makes it somewhat easier to control with a lack of throttle control in your right foot.
I’ll be honest and blunt here: I don’t really enjoy driving the Infiniti. I don’t know why. Maybe it is the lack of traction control in combination with RWD and, of course, my lack of right foot control. It just doesn’t feel like I can get used to the Q50. Maybe you will have better luck.
The Tracks
Brands Hatch Indy
My god was I relieved when I found out the Indy layout was in. The lack of me finding it mentioned in the material had me worried. But once I got into the game and selected Brands Hatch, the near-2km was there. What a sight to behold. Now there was only one problem left:
What car could be used on the Indy layout?
After my first instinct, something small, went flat (The Radical SR3 is rather quick and dangerous), the alternative was to look who currently drove on the track. Hence, Wikipedia. So, 2004 Formula 1, 2010 Formula 3, 2010 DTM, EuroNASCAR. Holy moly, why would anybody drive these speed beasts there?
Anyways, in 2018 the BTCC raced on the Indy circuit and in 2019 the Touring Car Trophy, using TCR regulations. Therefore, I guess It’s time to use the Toyota Corolla GR Sport.
And boy, I do tell you what. With the correct AI settings, this thing is the most fun I’ve had on Brands Hatch Indy in a while. In fact, I cannot wait to try it out in multiplayer. And online multiplayer on rFactor 2 is something I haven’t done in over a year. If racing just the AI, which has it’s problems, gets me to want to broaden my horizons, this track has done it for me. Though this is JUST THE INDY LAYOUT.
- Graphics: BEAUTIFUL
- Road feeling: Great
- Off Road feeling: Horrible (as I reckon it should be)
- Racing: AI has some minor problems, there’s some optimisation potential
Brands Hatch GP
To test out the GP layout, I’ve decided to use my favourite car in the world, the 2018 facelift for the Bentley Continental GT3. Now I knew what to expect here. Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) already has a beautiful rendition of Brands Hatch’s GP layout.
Now rFactor 2’s version feels different from ACC’s. Now some of that very likely comes down to the different physics engines and force feedback systems. Possibly all, because I cannot put my finger on it.
Quality-wise they are on-par with each other. Both are laser-scanned. Both are really fun. The advantage that rFactor 2 does have is, going off-track is more punishing. Now I see that as an advantage in terms of realism. Additionally, it helps competition, as you need to concentrate more on keeping the car between the while lines. Once you risk going onto grass or gravel, the walls close in. So you are also more endangered to damage your car. Hence, rFactor 2 delivers what can be called, a more challenging situation for the driver to negotiate. If you want that, this new version of Brands Hatch on the rFactor 2 content drop is for you.
Laguna Seca
I like Laguna. Both in ACC and in RaceRoom. However, what I claimed as the strong point of Brands Hatch kind of leaves Laguna in the dust. Pun very much intended.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, being located in California’s desert, is not a wide track. Furthermore, one wheel off the tarmac, you are in the sand. That’s your run over. So after trying to reach the one point Laguna is known for, the corkscrew, unsuccessfully several times, I pretty much had enough. One last try, I said to myself. “Grandmothering” my Bentley Contintental GT3 around the first half of the racetrack, the climb up the hill lay before me.
Going past turn 6 did not fill me with anxiety, as RaceRoom managed. At this point, the climb up Rahal straight felt like a drag. And then it happened. Using my usual braking point for the corkscrew, I completely overshot. Right through the off-track sand I went, clueless as to why it had penned out like this. At last, I had enough. Laguna might have frustrated me, but I will try it again in the future.
For now, all I can say about the classic Californian track in rFactor 2 is:
Pushing is frustrating. You need more endurance than I showed to reveal Laguna’s full potential.
Donington Park
This is it. The moment I have been waiting for. I specifically bought this pack for Donington. Good ol’ Donny. Easily one of my top 3 race tracks in the world. With Brno. And a third one I currently cannot decide on. Anyways, I know Donington, I know how I want it to feel and rFactor 2. . .
Hit it on the spot.
I love driving around Donington in rFactor 2. Amongst the 3 tracks released now, I have so far put in most hours in Donny, easily. It just fits so perfect to the Toyota Corolla GR Sport. Or rather BTCC’s fit perfectly. I’m in love with the combination. Donington feels great, looks great and there are planes landing and taking off in the distance. It’s perfect. I cannot even explain it any further. Go buy the track! Have fun with the awesome force feedback! Go! And invite me to a league, if you have one. Please. I want in.
The Point
If I had the option to redo my buy of the pack, I would get the BTCC pack, and not the Q2 pack. The only difference being Laguna Seca being not included. That might change though when I try it again later. However, I would suggest getting the pack. It’s fun. It’s worth it. Well, It’s worth it if you spend over 30 hours combined with the vehicles and tracks. And in SimRacing, 30 hours is nothing.
So if you get the rFactor 2 Content Drop for Q2 2022, remember me and tell me what you think about it in the comments below!