rFactor 2 | Early Access Look at the New BTCC Content

BTCC for rFactor 2 Early Access 01.jpg
rFactor 2 gave me a chance to try out the new BTCC DLC content including two new cars and two new tracks set for release to the public on May 9th.

rFactor 2 has moved to a quarterly content release model in 2022, and the Q2 release set for May 9th will include the first batch of BTCC content. This first batch includes two BTCC cars and two new tracks on the BTCC calendar offered as DLC.

For fans of BTCC expecting a full game based on the series, this isn't ideal news. However, BTCC, Motorsport Games and Studio 397 have entered into a partnership that extends to 2027. We can expect more BTCC cars and updated liveries for the rFactor 2 content to be added later this year, and a separate BTCC game can still be expected in the future, though no timeline has been confirmed.

The Cars
The two cars on offer as part of this DLC release are BTCC series compliant versions of the Infiniti Q50 and the Toyota Corolla GR.

BTCC for rFactor 2 Early Access 02.jpg


The Infiniti Q50 won the 2021 BTCC championship , while piloted by Ashley Sutton and Aiden Moffat. It sports a rear-wheel drive layout and handles in a similar manner to a GT4 car. It's a blast to drive in rFactor 2, as curbs are very much in play and the car has a tendency to get loose on corner exit if you're too aggressive with the throttle.

The Toyota Corolla GR won three BTCC races in 2021 thanks to drivers Rory Butcher and Sam Smelt. Unlike the Infiniti, this is a front-wheel drive car and shares more in common with TCR race cars than GT4 in terms of handling. This car is also very forgiving when pushed hard through corners, and the fun factor is high thanks to more throttle being the answer when the car gets loose.

The Tracks
Donington Park and Brands Hatch are the two British tracks offered as DLC in this Q2 release.

BTCC for rFactor 2 Early Access 03.jpg


Donington looks and drives very well in rFactor 2. The trackside details are impressive, down to detailed spectators, curb scuffing and even the occasional aircraft taking off in the distance. This track was the highlight of the BTCC content for me, as it seems to be a great version of the circuit across many facets, and lends itself perfectly to tight racing action with the new cars.

Admittedly, I'm not a big fan of Brands Hatch, though this new version for rFactor 2 seems as good as any in sim racing. Like Donington, the level of trackside detail is exceptional and adds to the immersion of driving here.

Pricing and Availability
The two cars and two tracks are scheduled to be released as DLC on Monday, May 9th. There are a number of ways to purchase them:
  • Cars can be purchased for £4.29/$5.32/€4.99 each
  • Tracks can be purchased for £7.73/$9.59/€8.99 each
  • The ‘Touring’ bundle that includes the two BTCC cars, Brands Hatch and Donington Park can be purchased for £21.64/$26.83/€25.16
  • The Touring car ‘Double Pack’ which includes both BTCC Cars can be purchased for £7.72/$9.59/€8.99SRP
  • The Q2 ‘All in’ Pack including all the content from the Q2 drop can be purchased for £27.01/$33.50/€31.41SRP
Game Updates
In addition to this new content, the release of the BTCC content will coincide with several quality-of-life updates to rFactor 2, including:
  • A new sound engine
  • Particle effects
  • Downshift protection system
  • Further photo options
  • A refreshed safety car
  • Enhanced brake ducting settings
  • Additional user interface refinements
Let us know if anything (or everything) in this first BTCC content release or game update is something you're interested in trying or buying on Monday on Twitter @RaceDepartment or in the comments below!
About author
Mike Smith
I have been obsessed with sim racing and racing games since the 1980's. My first taste of live auto racing was in 1988, and I couldn't get enough ever since. Lead writer for RaceDepartment, and owner of SimRacing604 and its YouTube channel. Favourite sims include Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, DiRT Rally 2 - On Twitter as @simracing604

Comments

Ok colour me jealous! Im so looking forward to trying these beasties out! And its great to hear that both tracks and cars are of high quality and drive well! Wonder how well the new build will fare after the latest RC build, for me personally its brought great improvement, especially in the A.I. department!
 
25 eur… i just try rf2 sometimes, but it is not go for me sim after i got sc2pro. Before this was running fanatec v2.5 and rf2 felt great… but with sc2pro others sims felt way better for me. This game just so hard in development, i think it has some flaws as so many years passed and still not polished… sad…
 
Hmm, good to see them utilizing content but please get the base platform up to standard. Which it does seem like they are slowly starting to do.
 
Premium
25 eur… i just try rf2 sometimes, but it is not go for me sim after i got sc2pro. Before this was running fanatec v2.5 and rf2 felt great… but with sc2pro others sims felt way better for me. This game just so hard in development, i think it has some flaws as so many years passed and still not polished… sad…
You should check with the guys at S397 Discord on the settings they use with the SC2.
There are some specifics to make it shine as it did previously for you with the Fanatic stuff, but at the higher SC2 level.
 
Premium
BTCC is coming to rF2 - everybody goes YEEEAAAAAA

BTCC drops, and it‘s just two cars and two tracks - everybody goes “like WTF“

Either do it fully, or don‘t bother.
It's impossible to go "Yeaaa" and then "WTF" when the content of the BTCC which was going to released in this quarter has been known since day 1...
There is absolutely no surprise on that front... so you need to try harder :-D
 
the other cars are in development, just not finished, the tracks are probably not going to be there all, as in that deparment things are more balanced around variety
Then why not just wait until the entire car line up is complete and then release it?

The tracks I can forgive - no current sim has all of the tracks included in the respective current, or even last years series, ACC and F1 2021 included.

This piecemeal approach just annoys the hell out me.
 
Then why not just wait until the entire car line up is complete and then release it?

The tracks I can forgive - no current sim has all of the tracks included in the respective current, or even last years series, ACC and F1 2021 included.

This piecemeal approach just annoys the hell out me.
why shouldnt they release it now?
I mean nobody has to buy them now if they are not happy, it has been made very clear that its the first two of the bunch so I dont see any problem really, just means there is les wait time to try atleast some of those
 
Premium
Then why not just wait until the entire car line up is complete and then release it?

The tracks I can forgive - no current sim has all of the tracks included in the respective current, or even last years series, ACC and F1 2021 included.

This piecemeal approach just annoys the hell out me.
Perhaps because these cars are not just a 3D shell with slapped on generic physics?
Do you have any idea who much time is needed to develop a physics package, align it with reality (as much as possible) and then BOP with same class contents?
There is a rF2 modding group which has made a "fictional+based in reality" WEC+IMSA 2022 franken- mod with a number of scratch made HY (aside from the "real" Glick and the Toyota, they made a Porsche, a Bugatti, a Koningsegg, a Valkyrie, a Pagani, a Ferrari and a Lambo) as well as extra GTD cars (DLC-detuned Vette, the Huracan, the Mustang, the Lexus and the Acura) and they spent, collectively, amongst several drivers, thousands of hours getting the physics fine-tuned and the BOP done.
 
why shouldnt they release it now?
I mean nobody has to buy them now if they are not happy, it has been made very clear that its the first two of the bunch so I dont see any problem really, just means there is les wait time to try atleast some of those
Well you‘re right, I don‘t have to buy them now, but ultimately what will happen is that I‘ll forget about it, and by the time everything is released I just wont bother with it. A full BTCC release could have got me excited and back into exploring rF2. However, this drip feeding is really annoying.

Maybe I‘m still in work mode, but I hate half done jobs.
 
I don't like their prices, never did. I think this kind of price cut out lot of young kids who don't work and can't afford to buy their packs.
Should be cheaper. The playerbase could increase.
yep, it's on the more expensive side of things but I do understand why - I think

rf2 was released long ago, so they no longer have ( too many ) new copies sold, so this is their only source of income

with all the updates / redesigned UI and what not - I personally though that it would be better to come up with RF3 with brand new engine, ported physics

it would give them new source of revenue
this would allow them to make it easier to mod , and therefore bringing more people in ( compared to AC, RF2 moding is lot more complex, time consuming )
but more importantly, it would allow them to rewrite some of the design decission / make bigger changes

but yeah, we shall see what' s gonna happen

mind you, a single (well done) plane for MSFS2020 can cost up to $99 , so is' all relative
 
25 eur… i just try rf2 sometimes, but it is not go for me sim after i got sc2pro. Before this was running fanatec v2.5 and rf2 felt great… but with sc2pro others sims felt way better for me. This game just so hard in development, i think it has some flaws as so many years passed and still not polished… sad…
That's simply because of bad settings - I agree it doesn't feel good out-of-the-box. In the game, lower each car's individual FFB level and increase the filtering setting a couple of clicks if it feels too grainy.
For True Drive there are rF2 specific settings that other users have shared you can download.
 

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