NAMeS: Real Drivers for AMS2 replaces every single fictional driver name in AMS2 with real drivers--that's over 2,200 grid places and counting! Now updated for AMS2 V1.5.6! After installing NAMeS, every car in AMS2--including all DLC--will be driven by someone who either raced or drove the car (or, in a few cases, the same marque and class) in reality. This single download instantly elevates an important aspect of AMS2's realism across the entire, default installation of AMS2. The NAMeS Project proudly provides historically-derived drivers for 100% of AMS2 content, in order to elevate its single-player experience to the highest possible level.
Installation: As Easy as 1, 2, 3….
1) Install NAMeS: Real Drivers for AMS2.
Unlike many custom-AI files for AMS2, NAMeS only replaces driver names and nationalities--that's by design--to keep Reiza driver attributes and default behavior intact. NAMeS replaces 100% of the default names and is designed to work with default Reiza skins.
Installing NAMeS using AMS2CM
Currently, AMS2CM by @paoloambrosio represents the gold-standard of AMS2 mod management. The program is very easy to use and extremely helpful in organizing and activating all AMS2 mods, including NAMeS. AMS2CM is the preferred method of installation.
Either drag-and-drop the NAMeS Real Drivers for AMS2.7z archive (as-is) onto the AMS2CM window, or manually move the downloaded NAMeS archive file (as-is) into the Automobilista\Mods\Disabled folder, select the NAMeS file from your list of available mods, and hit "Apply".
Congratulations! Your Crew Chief thanks you--"Lafitte" sounds so much better in the helmet than "Lovett"!
For convenience, the archive file for NAMeS includes an ASCII-derived prefix to ensure that AMS2CM installs NAMeS before other mods; this way, larger livery sets automatically retain their own custom-AI files, while NAMeS files seamlessly provide real drivers for all remaining classes in AMS2. When using any custom livery set during multi-class races in AMS2, custom-AI files are required for all classes, regardless of livery status, for the entire grid to populate properly; therefore, NAMeS helps to ensure that multi-class races in AMS2 that use any additional mods run without issue. As they might say at Le Mans, de rien!
Installing NAMeS Manually
Extract the current version of the NAMeS Real Drivers for AMS2.7z file into the Automobilista 2 folder. When properly extracted, there should be numerous, individual .xml files inside the Automobilista 2\UserData\CustomAIDrivers folder.
Regardless of the installation method, the CustomAIDrivers folder should look like this:
2) Visit the Automobilista 2 Mod Registry and utilize its hyperlinks to locate and download any additional mods you want to install. Most of the links are actually for mods posted here, at OverTake. The product of meticulous methodology, The Registry compiles the full array of AMS2 mods into a unified, easy-to-use resource--and also includes several helpful guides and links to other AMS2 assets.
3) Install (via AMS2CM) any other mods you want. Anyone who can successfully install NAMeS with AMS2CM can install any mod for AMS2. All F1 and IndyCar/CART categories in AMS2 have mods that feature excellent, custom livery sets with season-specific AI, etc. There are several other classes with custom livery sets as well. Regardless of how many mods are installed, NAMeS files provide real drivers for all remaining categories in AMS2, so that 100% of the simulation is populated by real drivers.
Introducing the Real Drivers of AMS2
With NAMeS installed, the discerning AMS2 simracer will be able to drive his McLaren MP4/4 against Ayrton Senna (instead of Aires Silva) and to race in GT3 against Augusto Farfus (instead of Gustavo Farius). Using AMS2's custom-AI feature, NAMeS files include only name and nationality information, so 100% of the default AI-performance attributes designed by Reiza remain intact.
Many Reiza-to-NAMeS conversions are obvious (e.g., Marnix Vandusen = Max Verstappen) while others might be less so (e.g., Charles Petrenko = Claudiomiro Pacheco). Occasionally, Reiza’s fictional drivers bear no resemblance to any driver for a series--can you name two American drivers who raced in the 1995 F1 season? No doubt, there are many good reasons why Reiza might augment a grid of familiar-sounding quasi-fictional drivers with additional, yet totally fictional extras (e.g., to improve competitiveness across the field, increase the number and/or nationality of entrants, etc.). However, one of the primary objectives of NAMeS is to reunite the actual race drivers with the appropriate machinery or marque within the simulation, not just to increase realism per se but to serve as a testament of their various achievements across motorsport. As a result, when no real-world counterpart could be discerned from Reiza drivers, NAMeS selected suitable alternatives from factual sources. As a result, NAMeS injects 100% real drivers into the entire simulation--the vast majority of whom are converted directly from Reiza quasi-fictional names. NAMeS was created to celebrate the competitive contributions of drivers across the entire length and breadth of motorsport--not just those at the pinnacle of it.
The NAMeS Score
NAMeS scores are provided below to quantify the Reiza-to-reality conversion rate, as well as how often historical drivers from the same series were selected (i.e., when direct name-matching could not occur) to complete each category. For example, the NAMeS file for Formula Vintage (Gen1) includes 20 Grand Prix drivers who participated in the 1967 F1 season, 17 of whom were directly matched to Reiza quasi-fictional names (e.g., Reiza's Jean Sylvain-Gabin turns into Johnny Servoz-Gavin). When a Reiza name could not be matched to a real driver, NAMeS selected an appropriate substitute. In this case, as no "Benjamin Page" from New Zealand raced in F1 1967--and Bruce McLaren was already matched--NAMeS added Jo Bonnier, who raced most of the 1967 F1 season, and was not already represented by Reiza.
Formula Junior: 100% names matched to 1960-1962 Formula Junior
Formula-Vintage Gen1: 17/20 names matched to 1967 F1
Formula-Vintage Gen2: 21/26 names matched to 1969-70 F1
Formula-Retro Gen1: 25/27 names matched to 1974 F1
Formula-Retro Gen2: 21/22 names matched to 1978-79 F1 (due to superfluous, sixth Lotus 79 (#4)
Formula-Retro Gen3: 100% names matched to 1983 F1
Formula-Classic Gen1: 100% names matched to 1986 F1
Formula-Classic Gen2: 100% names matched to 1988 F1
Formula-Classic Gen3: 100% names matched to 1990 F1
Formula-Classic Gen4: 100% names matched to 1991 F1
Formula-HiTech Gen1: 100% names matched to 1992 F1
Formula-HiTech Gen2: 100% names matched to 1993 F1
Formula-V12: 22/26 names matched to 1995 F1
Formula-V10 Gen1: 100% names matched to 1997 F1
Formula-V10 Gen2: 100% names matched to 2000 F1 F-V10 Gen2 (Note: Reiza based its quasi-fictional drivers on the 2000 F1 season, the last season that banned traction control. The F-V10 Gen2 vehicle has traction control enabled by default, which was permitted beginning in 2001 See the "Alternative NAMeS" folder for a solution).
Formula Reiza: 100% names matched to 2011 F1
Formula-Ultimate Gen1: 100% names matched to 2019 F1
Formula-Ultimate Gen2: 100% names matched to 2024 F1
Formula-USA Gen 1: 100% names matched to 1995 Indy Car
Formula-USA Gen 2: 21/25 names matched to 1998 CART
Formula-USA Gen 3: 20/30 names matched to 2000 CART
DPi: 100% names matched to 2018-20 IMSA SportsCar Championship
LMDh: 100% names matched to 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship
P1:
AJR: 18/29 names matched to 2019-20 Império Endurance Brasil, plus 11 community skins. Note: All AJR drivers are matched, as much as possible, by livery, team, and/or engine configuration (e.g., Chevrolet vs. Honda vs. Nissan).
G58: 4/10 names matched to all Ginetta P1 drivers from 2020-21 Império Endurance Brasil, plus a selection of European G58 drivers.
P1 Gen2: 21/23 names matched to 2022 Império Endurance Brasil. Note: There is no AJR driver/engine matching, as the Chevrolet engine was ubiquitous in 2022.
P2: 14/15 names matched to 2018-20 Império Endurance Brasil, with 1 driver swap to eliminate redundant Metalmoro drivers in multi-class races
P3: 12/22 names matched to 2019 Império Endurance Brasil, with 10 driver swaps to eliminate redundant Metalmoro drivers in multi-class races
P4:
MRX: 3/10 names matched to 2017-19 Império Endurance Brasil, with 7 driver swaps to eliminate redundant Metalmoro drivers in multi-class races
MCR 2000: NAMeS includes MCR drivers from the 2019 Sports 2000 Duratec Championship
GTE: 100% names matched to 2018-21 IMSA SportsCar Championship
GT3: 100% names matched to various, international GT3 series (2017-21)
GT3 Gen2: 100% names matched to various, international GT3 series (2023)
GT4: 100% names matched to various, international GT4 series (2019)
GT5:
Ginetta G40: 100% names matched to 2021 Ginetta GT5 Challenge
Puma P052: Essentially a prototype built in very small numbers, so NAMeS selected from a roster of recent and historic Puma Automóveis race drivers.
Ginetta G55 GT4 Supercup: 100% names matched to 2021 Ginetta GT4 Supercup
60s Touring Cars, Pt. 1: 100% names matched to historic BMW & Corvette drivers
60s Touring Cars, Pt. 2:
Lotus 23: 100% names matched to historic Lotus drivers
MINI Cooper S: 12/16 names matched to historic MINI drivers, plus 4 substitutions for out-of-place 1970s drivers
70's Touring Cars: 100% names matched to historic Porsche & Corvette drivers
M1 Procar: 100% names matched to 1979-80 BMW M1 Procar Championship
Group C: 100% names matched to 1987-89 World Sportscar Championship & IMSA GTP
Group A: 100% names matched to 1991-92 Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft
GT1: 100% names matched to 1997-98 FIA GT Championship & 24 Hours of Le Mans
GTOpen: 100% names matched to 2012-14 Britcar Endurance
Carrera Cup: 100% names matched to 2014-16 Porsche Carrera Cup (3.8 Type 991.1) and 2017-19 Porsche Carrera Cup (4.0 Type 991.2) selected from various, global Carrera Cup competitions. Note: Setting Opponent Field Type to "Individual" will correctly simulate either era, albeit with only 10-12 entrants. Also, an alternative NAMeS file is available that provides drivers from the 2019 Carrera Cup Brasil (see NAMeS+AI section, below)
Super V8: 100% names matched to 2017 Virgin Australia Supercars
MINI Challenge UK: 23/24 names matched to 2021 MINI Challenge UK
Copa Classic B: 4/8 Chevette names matched; 6/6 Uno names matched; 6/8 Gol names matched; 2/2 Mini Cooper S names matched; 5/8 Passat names matched; 5/8 Puma GTE names matched to Copa Classic B/Gold Classic
Copa Classic FL: 6/6 Fusca names matched; 4/6 Gol names matched; 4/6 Passat names matched; 4/6 Puma GTB names matched to Copa Classic Força Livre/Gold Classic
Copa Fusca: 30/36 names matched to Copa Fusca RS/Gold Classic, plus 6 community skins
Hot Cars: 10/11 Fusca drivers matched to correct Divisão 3 liveries; 3/5 Gol & 6/6 Passat names matched to 1980s Campeonato Brasileiro de Hot-Cars
Copa Uno: 23/28 names matched to 1993 Copa Onix Jeans de Fórmula Uno, plus 5 community skins
Mitsubishi Lancer R & RS: 28/32 names matched to 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Cup Brasil
RX: 15/16 names matched to 2022 FIA Rallycross
F-Dirt: 19/20 names matched to 2022 Brasileiro de Autocross
KartCross: 100% names matched to 2022-23 FIA Autocross - Cross Car & RallyX Nordic - CrossCar/Crosskart
In contrast to the above series, there are other categories in AMS2 that feature default Reiza liveries tagged with names, either real or fictional, that indicate who drives them. NAMeS, naturally, converts these into real drivers as well:
Caterham Academy: 100% matched to quasi-fictional names tagged to Reiza skin names (e.g., NAMeS converts Mark Askith into Mark Asquith, etc.) corresponding to the 2015 Caterham Academy Championship. (Note: The Caterham Academy car in AMS2 is incorrectly badged as a 270R).
Copa Truck: 100% matched to drivers tagged to Reiza skin names, plus Vulkan-to-Volvo driver conversion
Formula Vee: 100% matched to 2018/2021 Formula Vee Brasil drivers tagged to Reiza skin names
Stock Car Pro Series (2021-24)
Stock Car Brasil (2019-20)
Stock Car Brasil 1999 (Omega '99)
Stock Car Brasil 1986 (Opala '86)
Stock Car Brasil 1979 (Opala '79)
Copa Chevrolet Montana (2010-12)
Sprint Race Brasil (2019-20)
Old Stock Race (2021)
Fórmula Inter (2017-19)
These Brazilian motorsports series currently display real drivers names in AMS2 by default (i.e., NAMeS Score = 100%), so the included NAMeS files for these series merely add the appropriate Portuguese diacritics (e.g., José & João instead of Jose & Joao). Why? Reiza removed all diacritics from AMS2 after they found that these linguistic symbols often caused problems within livery names. Fortunately, diacritics added to driver names within custom-AI files do not cause any issues. All NAMeS files include accents and diacritics, for all drivers, where appropriate. In the F-Inter class, Reiza includes 20/21 real driver names from the 2017-19 Fórmula Inter seasons. NAMeS substitutes an additional real driver to the roster and adds appropriate Portuguese diacritics where necessary.
AMS2 Series without NAMeS Scores
When first released, AMS2 initially assigned pre-order backers and/or fictional drivers to all vehicles. Over the course of its development, Reiza has gradually revised most of their rosters to include quasi-fictional names (i.e., fake names derived from real drivers). As detailed above, NAMeS transforms these quasi-fictional drivers, wherever possible, to match their actual counterparts (e.g., Xavier Lopez = Xavier Lloveras) and then assigns each series a NAMeS Score. Any remaining cases (e.g., community skins driven by modders who created them, other fictional extras, etc.) are filled with suitable, historically-derived alternatives from the same series.
The remaining classes in AMS2 utilize driver rosters that can be described as follows:
1) Fictitious drivers whose names bear no resemblance to any real driver in the series. Licensing restrictions for Reiza's Formula USA 2023 class clearly prevent the use of quasi-fictional driver names--especially if paired with liveries reminiscent of the 2023 IndyCar season. For AMS2 classes with such fictional drivers, NAMeS studied the hierarchy of driver performance within a category (i.e., ranking fictional drivers from fastest to slowest) and assigned its real drivers in a similar order. This way, Álex Palou is more likely to be near the front, whereas Ed Carpenter is more likely to be near the rear.
Formula-USA 2023: Includes drivers from the 2023 IndyCar season. NAMeS drivers were performance-matched to Reiza fictional drivers.
2) Amalgams of quasi-fictional drivers who never competed in the series depicted and/or against each other. For example, Reiza's G40 Cup roster is comprised of quasi-fictional drivers derived from the Ginetta Junior category. NAMeS performance-matched its 2018 Ginetta G40 Cup drivers, so that two-time G40 Cup champion Tom Golding is more likely to be near the front.
Ginetta G40 Cup: Reiza's quasi-fictional drivers for the G40 Cup were based off the 2021 Ginetta Junior Championship, which only features a 100-hp variant of the G40. To correctly match the actual G40 Cup vehicle in the sim (with its 142-hp), NAMeS features drivers from the 2018 Ginetta G40 Cup. NAMeS drivers were performance-matched to Reiza fictional drivers.
Formula 3: As Reiza includes a 2017 Formula 3 Brasil Championship, NAMeS simulates this field of drivers, with Class A appropriately driving the Dallara F309 and Academy drivers in the Dallara F301. NAMeS drivers were-performance matched to Reiza quasi-fictional drivers.
ARC Camaro: All drivers raced the ARC Camaro during the 2019 Aussie Racing Cars Super Series season. NAMeS drivers were performance-matched to Reiza quasi-fictional drivers.
Superkart: Features drivers from the 2019 CIK-FIA European Superkart Championship. NAMeS drivers were performance-matched to Reiza quasi-fictional drivers.
Kart125cc: Features drivers from the 2018 Brasileiro de Kart - OK Internacional. NAMeS drivers were performance-matched to Reiza quasi-fictional drivers.
3) Rosters generated from a larger pool of Reiza Backers. These classes generate a unique grid of drivers at every race, so performance matching is not an option (yet). Nevertheless, NAMeS consulted previous results across motorsport to generate suitable grids of drivers. Unfortunately, NAMeS driver performance within Rieza Backer series will most likely not match any historical result—my apologies if your favorite rental kart driver seems off the pace. Please see the "NAMeS+AI" section below for a solution to this issue.
AMS2 classes that generate unique grids of Reiza Backers:
Caterham Supersport: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2015 Caterham Supersport Championship. (Note: The Supersport is incorrectly badged in AMS2 as a 360R, and the 122-HP figure in the AMS2 UI is incorrect, as the Supersport should have a 1.6L, variable-cam Sigma engine making 152 HP).
Caterham Superlight: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2015 Caterham Superlight R300 Championship (aka, R300-S Championship). The race-spec Caterham Superlight R300 is technically identical to the 420R that currently competes in the Caterham Seven Championship UK. (Note: This car is also incorrectly badged as a 360R in AMS2).
Caterham 620R: The most powerful Seven road model & trackday toy, which (sadly) does not feature in any factory race series. As no proper “Caterham 620R” series exists, NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with former Caterham F1, Caterham Racing (GP2), and Caterham Driver Development Program participants.
Formula Trainer: aka, Formula Ford 1600 Mygale SJ10/SJ11 with the 1.6L Ford Duratec. NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2011 British Formula Ford (Trainer) and 2011 Formula Ford EuroCup (Advanced) championships. As these are separate series within AMS2, there is some overlap of drivers.
KartShifter: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2017 CIK-FIA World Championship - KZ.
KartGX390: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2017 12 Horas Webmotors de Kart São Paulo.
KartRental: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2017 Rental Karts at Kartódromo Granja Viana.
Street: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with Camaro drivers from the 2022 Trans Am - TA2.
Supercars & Hypercars: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with real owners, who range from the famous to the notorious. Ultima GTR race drivers serve as ambassadors for the marque by driving the street version as well.
VW TSI Cup: Volkswagen Motorsport has well-established VW Cups in both South Africa and India based on the Polo and other regional models. NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from South Africa's CompCare Polo Cup and Polo Cup India. NAMeS counterbalances nationality vs. VW trim package, so if you run either a) Polo vs. Virtus or b) Polo GTS vs. Virtus GTS, a single grid of Indian and South African drivers will be generated. Likewise, an all-Polo base/GTS lineup will feature only South African drivers, whereas an all Virtus base/GTS lineup will include only Indian drivers.
Alternate NAMeS Files
Within the NAMeS mod is a separate folder that contains various, alternative custom AI-files. As Reiza has included both the 4.0 and 3.8 championship seasons, the Alternate NAMeS folder includes an additional Carrera Cup file, performance-matched to Reiza quasi-fictional drivers, for the 2019 Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil series, where both the 4.0 and 3.8 were raced.
The "Alternative NAMeS" folder also includes a F-V10_Gen2 file that includes drivers from the 2001 F1 season. This alternative file will rectify Reiza's decision to pair 2000 season drivers with 2001 technical regulations (i.e., traction control).
The NAMeS+AI folder contains alternate files, with individual driver attributes, to provide ranking for any of the Reiza Backer series in AMS2. These NAMeS+AI files should help to rank drivers within these classes similar to the seasons depicted.
Further Modification
NAMeS files also provide an excellent foundation for further modification. The AMS2 Custom Drivers Utility by @LuxMundi is an excellent program that can be used to add individual driver attributes to any NAMeS file. All NAMeS data are actually included within the AMS2 Custom Driver Utility itself. If another skin/livery modder wants to use a NAMeS file as a starting point (e.g., to take advantage of the Reiza-to-reality matching feature) and then add additional performance attributes as part of a custom carset, etc., please retain the "NAMeS: Real Drivers for AMS2" within the AI file and acknowledge my (i.e., NAMeS) contribution wherever the expanded file is posted.
Because NAMeS files include Reiza-to-reality names matching, NAMeS files permit line-item AI attribute editing: for example, as "Nelson Piquet" in NAMeS retains all of Reiza's data for "Nilton Pereira", modders can choose to insert only a single AI attribute line (or small subset of attributes) for this driver in the NAMeS file and then compare the effects of these specific, custom entries--while holding all other remaining, default Reiza values constant. This approach arguably yields a more robust understanding of AI behavior in AMS2, especially across the long arc of its development, and allows for finer tuning of custom AI files than merely activating a full array of custom attributes without reference to Reiza benchmarks.
FIA Historic
NAMeS also includes a FIA Historic folder. Given the large number of modern circuits in AMS2--and the absence of 1960s track liveries--it seemed reasonable to provide an alternative file for the Formula Junior category, as well as the 1960s touring car classes. To race against 2022 Lurani Cup entrants in Formula Junior or 2021/22 Goodwood Revival entrants in 60s touring cars, just manually copy over the alternates as needed.
NAMeS Expansion Packs
The NAMeS Project also provides custom-AI files for several livery sets:
NAMeS Expansion Pack 1: NAMeS for ALL MrBraindown AMS2 Skins
NAMeS Expansion Pack 2: NAMeS for ALL Emà!!! AMS2 Skins
NAMeS Expansion Pack 3: GT1, ARC & F3 Legends
NAMeS4Mods
NAMeS+AI proudly offers a collection of custom-AI sets, with individual attributes, that provide real drivers for all AMS2 car mods from the following mod groups:
NAMeS+AI for AMS2 Thunderflash Mods
NAMeS+AI for the PCARS Modding Team
NAMeS+AI for VRC AMS2 Mods
NAMeS+AI for RacerXtc Mods
Acknowledgements
Thanks to @jusk for answering some of my initial questions when learning about AI files, and for suggesting a range of AI attribute values, along with @Mazdaspeed, that were later used to generate the NAMeS+AI files. Also, this project would have never progressed as quickly as it did without the excellent AI spreadsheet created by Romeo Foxtrot on the Reiza forums. Finally, thanks to @Coanda at Reiza for his excellent communication regarding impending livery changes, providing information and answering questions related to custom AI features, and so forth. Without his contributions, NAMeS would certainly not be as comprehensive as it turned out to be.
NAMeS consists of over 2,200 names across every category in AMS2. Please, if you spot any errors or inconsistencies, I would appreciate a personal message here at RD pointing it out so the file in question can be updated accordingly.
Thank you for your interest in making AMS2 a better motorsport simulation--and remember:
Without NAMeS, you're racing against nobody!
Installation: As Easy as 1, 2, 3….
1) Install NAMeS: Real Drivers for AMS2.
Unlike many custom-AI files for AMS2, NAMeS only replaces driver names and nationalities--that's by design--to keep Reiza driver attributes and default behavior intact. NAMeS replaces 100% of the default names and is designed to work with default Reiza skins.
Installing NAMeS using AMS2CM
Currently, AMS2CM by @paoloambrosio represents the gold-standard of AMS2 mod management. The program is very easy to use and extremely helpful in organizing and activating all AMS2 mods, including NAMeS. AMS2CM is the preferred method of installation.
Either drag-and-drop the NAMeS Real Drivers for AMS2.7z archive (as-is) onto the AMS2CM window, or manually move the downloaded NAMeS archive file (as-is) into the Automobilista\Mods\Disabled folder, select the NAMeS file from your list of available mods, and hit "Apply".
Congratulations! Your Crew Chief thanks you--"Lafitte" sounds so much better in the helmet than "Lovett"!
For convenience, the archive file for NAMeS includes an ASCII-derived prefix to ensure that AMS2CM installs NAMeS before other mods; this way, larger livery sets automatically retain their own custom-AI files, while NAMeS files seamlessly provide real drivers for all remaining classes in AMS2. When using any custom livery set during multi-class races in AMS2, custom-AI files are required for all classes, regardless of livery status, for the entire grid to populate properly; therefore, NAMeS helps to ensure that multi-class races in AMS2 that use any additional mods run without issue. As they might say at Le Mans, de rien!
Installing NAMeS Manually
Extract the current version of the NAMeS Real Drivers for AMS2.7z file into the Automobilista 2 folder. When properly extracted, there should be numerous, individual .xml files inside the Automobilista 2\UserData\CustomAIDrivers folder.
Regardless of the installation method, the CustomAIDrivers folder should look like this:
2) Visit the Automobilista 2 Mod Registry and utilize its hyperlinks to locate and download any additional mods you want to install. Most of the links are actually for mods posted here, at OverTake. The product of meticulous methodology, The Registry compiles the full array of AMS2 mods into a unified, easy-to-use resource--and also includes several helpful guides and links to other AMS2 assets.
3) Install (via AMS2CM) any other mods you want. Anyone who can successfully install NAMeS with AMS2CM can install any mod for AMS2. All F1 and IndyCar/CART categories in AMS2 have mods that feature excellent, custom livery sets with season-specific AI, etc. There are several other classes with custom livery sets as well. Regardless of how many mods are installed, NAMeS files provide real drivers for all remaining categories in AMS2, so that 100% of the simulation is populated by real drivers.
Introducing the Real Drivers of AMS2
With NAMeS installed, the discerning AMS2 simracer will be able to drive his McLaren MP4/4 against Ayrton Senna (instead of Aires Silva) and to race in GT3 against Augusto Farfus (instead of Gustavo Farius). Using AMS2's custom-AI feature, NAMeS files include only name and nationality information, so 100% of the default AI-performance attributes designed by Reiza remain intact.
Many Reiza-to-NAMeS conversions are obvious (e.g., Marnix Vandusen = Max Verstappen) while others might be less so (e.g., Charles Petrenko = Claudiomiro Pacheco). Occasionally, Reiza’s fictional drivers bear no resemblance to any driver for a series--can you name two American drivers who raced in the 1995 F1 season? No doubt, there are many good reasons why Reiza might augment a grid of familiar-sounding quasi-fictional drivers with additional, yet totally fictional extras (e.g., to improve competitiveness across the field, increase the number and/or nationality of entrants, etc.). However, one of the primary objectives of NAMeS is to reunite the actual race drivers with the appropriate machinery or marque within the simulation, not just to increase realism per se but to serve as a testament of their various achievements across motorsport. As a result, when no real-world counterpart could be discerned from Reiza drivers, NAMeS selected suitable alternatives from factual sources. As a result, NAMeS injects 100% real drivers into the entire simulation--the vast majority of whom are converted directly from Reiza quasi-fictional names. NAMeS was created to celebrate the competitive contributions of drivers across the entire length and breadth of motorsport--not just those at the pinnacle of it.
The NAMeS Score
NAMeS scores are provided below to quantify the Reiza-to-reality conversion rate, as well as how often historical drivers from the same series were selected (i.e., when direct name-matching could not occur) to complete each category. For example, the NAMeS file for Formula Vintage (Gen1) includes 20 Grand Prix drivers who participated in the 1967 F1 season, 17 of whom were directly matched to Reiza quasi-fictional names (e.g., Reiza's Jean Sylvain-Gabin turns into Johnny Servoz-Gavin). When a Reiza name could not be matched to a real driver, NAMeS selected an appropriate substitute. In this case, as no "Benjamin Page" from New Zealand raced in F1 1967--and Bruce McLaren was already matched--NAMeS added Jo Bonnier, who raced most of the 1967 F1 season, and was not already represented by Reiza.
Formula Junior: 100% names matched to 1960-1962 Formula Junior
Formula-Vintage Gen1: 17/20 names matched to 1967 F1
Formula-Vintage Gen2: 21/26 names matched to 1969-70 F1
Formula-Retro Gen1: 25/27 names matched to 1974 F1
Formula-Retro Gen2: 21/22 names matched to 1978-79 F1 (due to superfluous, sixth Lotus 79 (#4)
Formula-Retro Gen3: 100% names matched to 1983 F1
Formula-Classic Gen1: 100% names matched to 1986 F1
Formula-Classic Gen2: 100% names matched to 1988 F1
Formula-Classic Gen3: 100% names matched to 1990 F1
Formula-Classic Gen4: 100% names matched to 1991 F1
Formula-HiTech Gen1: 100% names matched to 1992 F1
Formula-HiTech Gen2: 100% names matched to 1993 F1
Formula-V12: 22/26 names matched to 1995 F1
Formula-V10 Gen1: 100% names matched to 1997 F1
Formula-V10 Gen2: 100% names matched to 2000 F1 F-V10 Gen2 (Note: Reiza based its quasi-fictional drivers on the 2000 F1 season, the last season that banned traction control. The F-V10 Gen2 vehicle has traction control enabled by default, which was permitted beginning in 2001 See the "Alternative NAMeS" folder for a solution).
Formula Reiza: 100% names matched to 2011 F1
Formula-Ultimate Gen1: 100% names matched to 2019 F1
Formula-Ultimate Gen2: 100% names matched to 2024 F1
Formula-USA Gen 1: 100% names matched to 1995 Indy Car
Formula-USA Gen 2: 21/25 names matched to 1998 CART
Formula-USA Gen 3: 20/30 names matched to 2000 CART
DPi: 100% names matched to 2018-20 IMSA SportsCar Championship
LMDh: 100% names matched to 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship
P1:
AJR: 18/29 names matched to 2019-20 Império Endurance Brasil, plus 11 community skins. Note: All AJR drivers are matched, as much as possible, by livery, team, and/or engine configuration (e.g., Chevrolet vs. Honda vs. Nissan).
G58: 4/10 names matched to all Ginetta P1 drivers from 2020-21 Império Endurance Brasil, plus a selection of European G58 drivers.
P1 Gen2: 21/23 names matched to 2022 Império Endurance Brasil. Note: There is no AJR driver/engine matching, as the Chevrolet engine was ubiquitous in 2022.
P2: 14/15 names matched to 2018-20 Império Endurance Brasil, with 1 driver swap to eliminate redundant Metalmoro drivers in multi-class races
P3: 12/22 names matched to 2019 Império Endurance Brasil, with 10 driver swaps to eliminate redundant Metalmoro drivers in multi-class races
P4:
MRX: 3/10 names matched to 2017-19 Império Endurance Brasil, with 7 driver swaps to eliminate redundant Metalmoro drivers in multi-class races
MCR 2000: NAMeS includes MCR drivers from the 2019 Sports 2000 Duratec Championship
GTE: 100% names matched to 2018-21 IMSA SportsCar Championship
GT3: 100% names matched to various, international GT3 series (2017-21)
GT3 Gen2: 100% names matched to various, international GT3 series (2023)
GT4: 100% names matched to various, international GT4 series (2019)
GT5:
Ginetta G40: 100% names matched to 2021 Ginetta GT5 Challenge
Puma P052: Essentially a prototype built in very small numbers, so NAMeS selected from a roster of recent and historic Puma Automóveis race drivers.
Ginetta G55 GT4 Supercup: 100% names matched to 2021 Ginetta GT4 Supercup
60s Touring Cars, Pt. 1: 100% names matched to historic BMW & Corvette drivers
60s Touring Cars, Pt. 2:
Lotus 23: 100% names matched to historic Lotus drivers
MINI Cooper S: 12/16 names matched to historic MINI drivers, plus 4 substitutions for out-of-place 1970s drivers
70's Touring Cars: 100% names matched to historic Porsche & Corvette drivers
M1 Procar: 100% names matched to 1979-80 BMW M1 Procar Championship
Group C: 100% names matched to 1987-89 World Sportscar Championship & IMSA GTP
Group A: 100% names matched to 1991-92 Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft
GT1: 100% names matched to 1997-98 FIA GT Championship & 24 Hours of Le Mans
GTOpen: 100% names matched to 2012-14 Britcar Endurance
Carrera Cup: 100% names matched to 2014-16 Porsche Carrera Cup (3.8 Type 991.1) and 2017-19 Porsche Carrera Cup (4.0 Type 991.2) selected from various, global Carrera Cup competitions. Note: Setting Opponent Field Type to "Individual" will correctly simulate either era, albeit with only 10-12 entrants. Also, an alternative NAMeS file is available that provides drivers from the 2019 Carrera Cup Brasil (see NAMeS+AI section, below)
Super V8: 100% names matched to 2017 Virgin Australia Supercars
MINI Challenge UK: 23/24 names matched to 2021 MINI Challenge UK
Copa Classic B: 4/8 Chevette names matched; 6/6 Uno names matched; 6/8 Gol names matched; 2/2 Mini Cooper S names matched; 5/8 Passat names matched; 5/8 Puma GTE names matched to Copa Classic B/Gold Classic
Copa Classic FL: 6/6 Fusca names matched; 4/6 Gol names matched; 4/6 Passat names matched; 4/6 Puma GTB names matched to Copa Classic Força Livre/Gold Classic
Copa Fusca: 30/36 names matched to Copa Fusca RS/Gold Classic, plus 6 community skins
Hot Cars: 10/11 Fusca drivers matched to correct Divisão 3 liveries; 3/5 Gol & 6/6 Passat names matched to 1980s Campeonato Brasileiro de Hot-Cars
Copa Uno: 23/28 names matched to 1993 Copa Onix Jeans de Fórmula Uno, plus 5 community skins
Mitsubishi Lancer R & RS: 28/32 names matched to 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Cup Brasil
RX: 15/16 names matched to 2022 FIA Rallycross
F-Dirt: 19/20 names matched to 2022 Brasileiro de Autocross
KartCross: 100% names matched to 2022-23 FIA Autocross - Cross Car & RallyX Nordic - CrossCar/Crosskart
In contrast to the above series, there are other categories in AMS2 that feature default Reiza liveries tagged with names, either real or fictional, that indicate who drives them. NAMeS, naturally, converts these into real drivers as well:
Caterham Academy: 100% matched to quasi-fictional names tagged to Reiza skin names (e.g., NAMeS converts Mark Askith into Mark Asquith, etc.) corresponding to the 2015 Caterham Academy Championship. (Note: The Caterham Academy car in AMS2 is incorrectly badged as a 270R).
Copa Truck: 100% matched to drivers tagged to Reiza skin names, plus Vulkan-to-Volvo driver conversion
Formula Vee: 100% matched to 2018/2021 Formula Vee Brasil drivers tagged to Reiza skin names
Stock Car Pro Series (2021-24)
Stock Car Brasil (2019-20)
Stock Car Brasil 1999 (Omega '99)
Stock Car Brasil 1986 (Opala '86)
Stock Car Brasil 1979 (Opala '79)
Copa Chevrolet Montana (2010-12)
Sprint Race Brasil (2019-20)
Old Stock Race (2021)
Fórmula Inter (2017-19)
These Brazilian motorsports series currently display real drivers names in AMS2 by default (i.e., NAMeS Score = 100%), so the included NAMeS files for these series merely add the appropriate Portuguese diacritics (e.g., José & João instead of Jose & Joao). Why? Reiza removed all diacritics from AMS2 after they found that these linguistic symbols often caused problems within livery names. Fortunately, diacritics added to driver names within custom-AI files do not cause any issues. All NAMeS files include accents and diacritics, for all drivers, where appropriate. In the F-Inter class, Reiza includes 20/21 real driver names from the 2017-19 Fórmula Inter seasons. NAMeS substitutes an additional real driver to the roster and adds appropriate Portuguese diacritics where necessary.
AMS2 Series without NAMeS Scores
When first released, AMS2 initially assigned pre-order backers and/or fictional drivers to all vehicles. Over the course of its development, Reiza has gradually revised most of their rosters to include quasi-fictional names (i.e., fake names derived from real drivers). As detailed above, NAMeS transforms these quasi-fictional drivers, wherever possible, to match their actual counterparts (e.g., Xavier Lopez = Xavier Lloveras) and then assigns each series a NAMeS Score. Any remaining cases (e.g., community skins driven by modders who created them, other fictional extras, etc.) are filled with suitable, historically-derived alternatives from the same series.
The remaining classes in AMS2 utilize driver rosters that can be described as follows:
1) Fictitious drivers whose names bear no resemblance to any real driver in the series. Licensing restrictions for Reiza's Formula USA 2023 class clearly prevent the use of quasi-fictional driver names--especially if paired with liveries reminiscent of the 2023 IndyCar season. For AMS2 classes with such fictional drivers, NAMeS studied the hierarchy of driver performance within a category (i.e., ranking fictional drivers from fastest to slowest) and assigned its real drivers in a similar order. This way, Álex Palou is more likely to be near the front, whereas Ed Carpenter is more likely to be near the rear.
Formula-USA 2023: Includes drivers from the 2023 IndyCar season. NAMeS drivers were performance-matched to Reiza fictional drivers.
2) Amalgams of quasi-fictional drivers who never competed in the series depicted and/or against each other. For example, Reiza's G40 Cup roster is comprised of quasi-fictional drivers derived from the Ginetta Junior category. NAMeS performance-matched its 2018 Ginetta G40 Cup drivers, so that two-time G40 Cup champion Tom Golding is more likely to be near the front.
Ginetta G40 Cup: Reiza's quasi-fictional drivers for the G40 Cup were based off the 2021 Ginetta Junior Championship, which only features a 100-hp variant of the G40. To correctly match the actual G40 Cup vehicle in the sim (with its 142-hp), NAMeS features drivers from the 2018 Ginetta G40 Cup. NAMeS drivers were performance-matched to Reiza fictional drivers.
Formula 3: As Reiza includes a 2017 Formula 3 Brasil Championship, NAMeS simulates this field of drivers, with Class A appropriately driving the Dallara F309 and Academy drivers in the Dallara F301. NAMeS drivers were-performance matched to Reiza quasi-fictional drivers.
ARC Camaro: All drivers raced the ARC Camaro during the 2019 Aussie Racing Cars Super Series season. NAMeS drivers were performance-matched to Reiza quasi-fictional drivers.
Superkart: Features drivers from the 2019 CIK-FIA European Superkart Championship. NAMeS drivers were performance-matched to Reiza quasi-fictional drivers.
Kart125cc: Features drivers from the 2018 Brasileiro de Kart - OK Internacional. NAMeS drivers were performance-matched to Reiza quasi-fictional drivers.
3) Rosters generated from a larger pool of Reiza Backers. These classes generate a unique grid of drivers at every race, so performance matching is not an option (yet). Nevertheless, NAMeS consulted previous results across motorsport to generate suitable grids of drivers. Unfortunately, NAMeS driver performance within Rieza Backer series will most likely not match any historical result—my apologies if your favorite rental kart driver seems off the pace. Please see the "NAMeS+AI" section below for a solution to this issue.
AMS2 classes that generate unique grids of Reiza Backers:
Caterham Supersport: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2015 Caterham Supersport Championship. (Note: The Supersport is incorrectly badged in AMS2 as a 360R, and the 122-HP figure in the AMS2 UI is incorrect, as the Supersport should have a 1.6L, variable-cam Sigma engine making 152 HP).
Caterham Superlight: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2015 Caterham Superlight R300 Championship (aka, R300-S Championship). The race-spec Caterham Superlight R300 is technically identical to the 420R that currently competes in the Caterham Seven Championship UK. (Note: This car is also incorrectly badged as a 360R in AMS2).
Caterham 620R: The most powerful Seven road model & trackday toy, which (sadly) does not feature in any factory race series. As no proper “Caterham 620R” series exists, NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with former Caterham F1, Caterham Racing (GP2), and Caterham Driver Development Program participants.
Formula Trainer: aka, Formula Ford 1600 Mygale SJ10/SJ11 with the 1.6L Ford Duratec. NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2011 British Formula Ford (Trainer) and 2011 Formula Ford EuroCup (Advanced) championships. As these are separate series within AMS2, there is some overlap of drivers.
KartShifter: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2017 CIK-FIA World Championship - KZ.
KartGX390: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2017 12 Horas Webmotors de Kart São Paulo.
KartRental: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from the 2017 Rental Karts at Kartódromo Granja Viana.
Street: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with Camaro drivers from the 2022 Trans Am - TA2.
Supercars & Hypercars: NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with real owners, who range from the famous to the notorious. Ultima GTR race drivers serve as ambassadors for the marque by driving the street version as well.
VW TSI Cup: Volkswagen Motorsport has well-established VW Cups in both South Africa and India based on the Polo and other regional models. NAMeS replaces Reiza Backers with drivers from South Africa's CompCare Polo Cup and Polo Cup India. NAMeS counterbalances nationality vs. VW trim package, so if you run either a) Polo vs. Virtus or b) Polo GTS vs. Virtus GTS, a single grid of Indian and South African drivers will be generated. Likewise, an all-Polo base/GTS lineup will feature only South African drivers, whereas an all Virtus base/GTS lineup will include only Indian drivers.
Alternate NAMeS Files
Within the NAMeS mod is a separate folder that contains various, alternative custom AI-files. As Reiza has included both the 4.0 and 3.8 championship seasons, the Alternate NAMeS folder includes an additional Carrera Cup file, performance-matched to Reiza quasi-fictional drivers, for the 2019 Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil series, where both the 4.0 and 3.8 were raced.
The "Alternative NAMeS" folder also includes a F-V10_Gen2 file that includes drivers from the 2001 F1 season. This alternative file will rectify Reiza's decision to pair 2000 season drivers with 2001 technical regulations (i.e., traction control).
The NAMeS+AI folder contains alternate files, with individual driver attributes, to provide ranking for any of the Reiza Backer series in AMS2. These NAMeS+AI files should help to rank drivers within these classes similar to the seasons depicted.
Further Modification
NAMeS files also provide an excellent foundation for further modification. The AMS2 Custom Drivers Utility by @LuxMundi is an excellent program that can be used to add individual driver attributes to any NAMeS file. All NAMeS data are actually included within the AMS2 Custom Driver Utility itself. If another skin/livery modder wants to use a NAMeS file as a starting point (e.g., to take advantage of the Reiza-to-reality matching feature) and then add additional performance attributes as part of a custom carset, etc., please retain the "NAMeS: Real Drivers for AMS2" within the AI file and acknowledge my (i.e., NAMeS) contribution wherever the expanded file is posted.
Because NAMeS files include Reiza-to-reality names matching, NAMeS files permit line-item AI attribute editing: for example, as "Nelson Piquet" in NAMeS retains all of Reiza's data for "Nilton Pereira", modders can choose to insert only a single AI attribute line (or small subset of attributes) for this driver in the NAMeS file and then compare the effects of these specific, custom entries--while holding all other remaining, default Reiza values constant. This approach arguably yields a more robust understanding of AI behavior in AMS2, especially across the long arc of its development, and allows for finer tuning of custom AI files than merely activating a full array of custom attributes without reference to Reiza benchmarks.
FIA Historic
NAMeS also includes a FIA Historic folder. Given the large number of modern circuits in AMS2--and the absence of 1960s track liveries--it seemed reasonable to provide an alternative file for the Formula Junior category, as well as the 1960s touring car classes. To race against 2022 Lurani Cup entrants in Formula Junior or 2021/22 Goodwood Revival entrants in 60s touring cars, just manually copy over the alternates as needed.
NAMeS Expansion Packs
The NAMeS Project also provides custom-AI files for several livery sets:
NAMeS Expansion Pack 1: NAMeS for ALL MrBraindown AMS2 Skins
NAMeS Expansion Pack 2: NAMeS for ALL Emà!!! AMS2 Skins
NAMeS Expansion Pack 3: GT1, ARC & F3 Legends
NAMeS4Mods
NAMeS+AI proudly offers a collection of custom-AI sets, with individual attributes, that provide real drivers for all AMS2 car mods from the following mod groups:
NAMeS+AI for AMS2 Thunderflash Mods
NAMeS+AI for the PCARS Modding Team
NAMeS+AI for VRC AMS2 Mods
NAMeS+AI for RacerXtc Mods
Acknowledgements
Thanks to @jusk for answering some of my initial questions when learning about AI files, and for suggesting a range of AI attribute values, along with @Mazdaspeed, that were later used to generate the NAMeS+AI files. Also, this project would have never progressed as quickly as it did without the excellent AI spreadsheet created by Romeo Foxtrot on the Reiza forums. Finally, thanks to @Coanda at Reiza for his excellent communication regarding impending livery changes, providing information and answering questions related to custom AI features, and so forth. Without his contributions, NAMeS would certainly not be as comprehensive as it turned out to be.
NAMeS consists of over 2,200 names across every category in AMS2. Please, if you spot any errors or inconsistencies, I would appreciate a personal message here at RD pointing it out so the file in question can be updated accordingly.
Thank you for your interest in making AMS2 a better motorsport simulation--and remember:
Without NAMeS, you're racing against nobody!
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