EA Sports WRC may be the most recent rally game on the market. But Assetto Corsa and its modding scene sure try to compete thanks to these top rally stages on RaceDepartment. Which is your favourite?
Image credit: Kunos Simulazioni
In the most recent OverTake video, Emily Jones highlights just how capable Assetto Corsa can be as a rally sim. Mods for co-driver pace notes help to amplify the immersion as you take one of the many rally cars available for the game on a jolly.
But where are the best places to race said cars for the full rallying experience? RaceDepartment has a long list of track mods for the game. But it also has some fantastic Assetto Corsa rally stages. There are far too many to go through in a single article, but we thought we would list out the most downloaded on RaceDepartment right now.
Being a predominantly tarmac-based game, these mods do focus on asphalt stages. We recommend going into the loose surface stages with an open mind as the physics engine may struggle. Let us know what you make of the different surfaces in AC.
A Monte Carlo Rally stage in Assetto Corsa. Image credit: TTM75 on RD / Kunos Simulazioni
Thanks to @TTM75 on RaceDepartment, it is possible to experience some of that Monte magic in Assetto Corsa. Monte Carlo Stage 3 was originally a mod created for the original rFactor game by a certain AdriánIzquierdo. TTM75 then, with permission, converted the 13.6 km stage to AC.
The mod includes a variety of surface types, from ice to standard tarmac, reflecting the surfaces found in the real Monte event. In addition, 15 pit boxes allow players to organise accurate rallies online with racers leaving the gates one after the other. A fun layout encapsulating the spirit of the real life event, there is no wonder why this is the most downloaded Assetto Corsa rally stage on RD.
As aforementioned, this circuit is based on a real road in the Gard department, known for its valleys and twisty roads. According to the description, it was originally built from countless photos. As with most real life rally events, this stage can run in either direction. So those looking to run online rallies in AC will get two stages out of this mod.
Visually, most would probably agree that this mod is nothing to write home about. However, knowing this is an accurate recreation of a real rally stage is impressive in itself. Those competing in the National Rally championship in France have no excuse for not knowing this section of tarmac.
Compared to the previous SIM TRAXX entry, there are notable graphical improvements. Roadside objects appear in far higher resolution and the road surface supports Rain FX. So puddles are well and truly present here. In addition, different seasonal adjustments give the road a different feel for events run at different times of the year.
This circuit also appears to be much faster than the Peyregrosse layout. So make sure to stay alert as you take on this Czech Rally stage. As one can expect from a creator with two mods in the top five downloads, SIM TRAXX has a number of Assetto Corsa rally and hillclimb courses on RaceDepartment, seemingly all taking inspiration from real routes.
Taking fourth place on the most-downloaded rally stages for the game is this gravelly number, BTB Fin – Kanniranni. Originally a Richard Burns Rally stage, it was TTM75 on RaceDepartment that took on the conversion to AC.
Kanniranni mod for Assetto Corsa. Image credit: TTM75 on RD / Kunos Simulazioni
Lined with trees, this is a very narrow stage. But its layout, full of long straights, sweeping curves and the odd jump pushes drivers on to go ever faster. In this sense, there is no denying the Finnish inspiration for Kanniranni. At just over 10km long, one must remain concentrated for a long time if else, a meeting with a tree may be on the horizon.
Trees flank this tight piece of road whilst decor throughout the run enhances the feeling of an event. The 12.2km course combines long, flowing sections where any slight mistake will ruin your car with tighter sectors in which pin-point precision is necessary.
A Forest Rally Stage 1 also exists for AC from the same creator, although uploaded by a different RD account. One can see the resemblance in creation with similar corner combinations and trackside artwork. As a result, this pair of tracks can no doubt be used together for a full rally. Run them one way and then the other for a four-stage event.
The uploading account for the first Forest Stage, @fredfred, also hosts the Alpine Rally. From the same creator as the two previous stages, it draws inspiration from the first mod on this list, Monte Carlo Stage 3. All three mods are made from scratch for Assetto Corsa. Whilst old now, they are certainly worth trying out.
Which is your favourite Assetto Corsa rally stage? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
Image credit: Kunos Simulazioni
In the most recent OverTake video, Emily Jones highlights just how capable Assetto Corsa can be as a rally sim. Mods for co-driver pace notes help to amplify the immersion as you take one of the many rally cars available for the game on a jolly.
But where are the best places to race said cars for the full rallying experience? RaceDepartment has a long list of track mods for the game. But it also has some fantastic Assetto Corsa rally stages. There are far too many to go through in a single article, but we thought we would list out the most downloaded on RaceDepartment right now.
Being a predominantly tarmac-based game, these mods do focus on asphalt stages. We recommend going into the loose surface stages with an open mind as the physics engine may struggle. Let us know what you make of the different surfaces in AC.
Monte Carlo Stage 3: Top AC Rally Stage
A few weeks ago, the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship kicked off in style with a trip to the French Riviera. But the journey was not filled with glamorous yachts and sunbathing on beaches. Instead, icy mountain passes of the Southern Alps made for a far more thrilling time.A Monte Carlo Rally stage in Assetto Corsa. Image credit: TTM75 on RD / Kunos Simulazioni
Thanks to @TTM75 on RaceDepartment, it is possible to experience some of that Monte magic in Assetto Corsa. Monte Carlo Stage 3 was originally a mod created for the original rFactor game by a certain AdriánIzquierdo. TTM75 then, with permission, converted the 13.6 km stage to AC.
The mod includes a variety of surface types, from ice to standard tarmac, reflecting the surfaces found in the real Monte event. In addition, 15 pit boxes allow players to organise accurate rallies online with racers leaving the gates one after the other. A fun layout encapsulating the spirit of the real life event, there is no wonder why this is the most downloaded Assetto Corsa rally stage on RD.
Peyregrosse: Tarmac Rallying
Moving just a few hours West of Monaco, the second most downloaded stage for AC is situated in Southern France, just north of Montpellier. The circuit is based on the real roads between the towns of Peyregrosse and Mandagout. Can you guess its name? You had a 50/50 shot and blew it. This @SIM TRAXX conversion of a JCRR and Thierrydu81 creation is called Peyregrosse.As aforementioned, this circuit is based on a real road in the Gard department, known for its valleys and twisty roads. According to the description, it was originally built from countless photos. As with most real life rally events, this stage can run in either direction. So those looking to run online rallies in AC will get two stages out of this mod.
Visually, most would probably agree that this mod is nothing to write home about. However, knowing this is an accurate recreation of a real rally stage is impressive in itself. Those competing in the National Rally championship in France have no excuse for not knowing this section of tarmac.
Semetin: Assetto Corsa Rally Royalty
Peyregrosse is not the only top rally stage for Assetto Corsa by SIM TRAXX. The rally specialists are also behind converting Vasek Sourek's stage for the number three spot. Semetin takes rally fans to the Czech Republic and once again uses real roads as its inspiration.Compared to the previous SIM TRAXX entry, there are notable graphical improvements. Roadside objects appear in far higher resolution and the road surface supports Rain FX. So puddles are well and truly present here. In addition, different seasonal adjustments give the road a different feel for events run at different times of the year.
This circuit also appears to be much faster than the Peyregrosse layout. So make sure to stay alert as you take on this Czech Rally stage. As one can expect from a creator with two mods in the top five downloads, SIM TRAXX has a number of Assetto Corsa rally and hillclimb courses on RaceDepartment, seemingly all taking inspiration from real routes.
BTB Fin – Kanniranni: Gravel in AC
Stepping away from tarmac rally stages, Assetto Corsa also offers the opportunity to run in the dirt. Whilst its speciality is paved roads, a number of mods do see the game take to gravel, mud, and as aforementioned, ice.Taking fourth place on the most-downloaded rally stages for the game is this gravelly number, BTB Fin – Kanniranni. Originally a Richard Burns Rally stage, it was TTM75 on RaceDepartment that took on the conversion to AC.
Kanniranni mod for Assetto Corsa. Image credit: TTM75 on RD / Kunos Simulazioni
Lined with trees, this is a very narrow stage. But its layout, full of long straights, sweeping curves and the odd jump pushes drivers on to go ever faster. In this sense, there is no denying the Finnish inspiration for Kanniranni. At just over 10km long, one must remain concentrated for a long time if else, a meeting with a tree may be on the horizon.
Forest Rally Stage 2
Here it is then, perhaps the most famous course for Assetto Corsa rallying; Forest Rally Stage 2. RD user @ultranew_b was perhaps one of the first mod creators to upload rally stages for the game. But it is this particular layout that caught the attention of sim racers.Trees flank this tight piece of road whilst decor throughout the run enhances the feeling of an event. The 12.2km course combines long, flowing sections where any slight mistake will ruin your car with tighter sectors in which pin-point precision is necessary.
A Forest Rally Stage 1 also exists for AC from the same creator, although uploaded by a different RD account. One can see the resemblance in creation with similar corner combinations and trackside artwork. As a result, this pair of tracks can no doubt be used together for a full rally. Run them one way and then the other for a four-stage event.
The uploading account for the first Forest Stage, @fredfred, also hosts the Alpine Rally. From the same creator as the two previous stages, it draws inspiration from the first mod on this list, Monte Carlo Stage 3. All three mods are made from scratch for Assetto Corsa. Whilst old now, they are certainly worth trying out.
Which is your favourite Assetto Corsa rally stage? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
