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

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
Because with each release, any enhancements never make it on the cars already released months earlier. Once released its abandoned for the most part.
 
Last edited:
What does the most expensive "All In" Pack contain besides two cars and two tracks?
  • The Q2 ‘All in’ Pack including all the content from the Q2 drop can be purchased for £27.01/$33.50/€31.41SRP
 
What does the most expensive "All In" Pack contain besides two cars and two tracks?
  • The Q2 ‘All in’ Pack including all the content from the Q2 drop can be purchased for £27.01/$33.50/€31.41SRP

That's a good question, I guess just Laguna Sega. I'm hoping for some surprises like when they updated Lime Rock.
 
Last edited:
What does the most expensive "All In" Pack contain besides two cars and two tracks?
  • The Q2 ‘All in’ Pack including all the content from the Q2 drop can be purchased for £27.01/$33.50/€31.41SRP
Good question, hope it's clearly defined in the store prior to purchase but, could be a third track(?)
 
Small exercise, if they practice the prices they have been practicing, check how much 2 cars and 2 tracks will cost...now do the math to ALL cars and ALL tracks in the BTCC calendar and voila...youll quickly come to the conclusion that this will be WAY more expensive ( unless they change the prices ) then any other game with 1 series on planet ! ..... bar iRacing!
 
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Premium
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.
This pack is indeed pricier than the Q1 pack, probably driven by a financial need (strategically a good or bad decision? Too early to tell).
But rF2 is not geared to "kids" (right or wrong) who, nonetheless, can enjoy the base game at a really low price free content and the vast array of quality mods which rf2 has. On steam sales rf2 = € 12,50 and on secondary resellers, such as Humble, frequently it can be had for even less.
 
Q2 pack will also contain Laguna Seca. But the pricing seems off...
Each car is 4.99 EUR, each track is 8.99 EUR.

So far we have 3 tracks and 2 cars so thats roughly 37 EUR.
Given Q1 bundle discount is 30% I'd assume the same would be for Q2, resulting in around 26 EUR for the whole pack.
 
I miiiiiiiiight skip this one for a short time and see how things pan out following Marcel's departure?
It is a little spendy, which is fine if the content is well done. I'm just slightly worried that rF2 is going to get dragged down and disappear. I reeeeeeeeally want this new stuff, tho. Their latest content has felt great to me.

I'm sure a Competition Series event or two will come up and I'll end up grabbing it so I can participate.
 
Bit on the expensive side, shame I was looking forward to this but will pass until the price drops a bit too be honest, and gives a bit of time to see what other people think of the cars too
 
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…
These are recommended by a top guy on S397:
For the SC Sport, the overall strength should be maxed out.
Then in-game around 35-40% car specific except for some historics and the ligier LMPs which require 50% or slightly more:
Simucube_2_True_Drive_2021-04-22_10-53-21.png
 
Premium
What does the most expensive "All In" Pack contain besides two cars and two tracks?
  • The Q2 ‘All in’ Pack including all the content from the Q2 drop can be purchased for £27.01/$33.50/€31.41SRP
It's Laguna Seca.
 
So let me get this straight, for a mere $33.50 you get 2 BTCC cars and 3 tracks? That seems a little steep. I believe for the Q1 Content Drop for 3 cars and 1 track I paid $19+. It seems that Studio 397 (or should I really say the greedy and out of cash Motorsports Games) is way overpricing additional content for rFactor 2. Let's compare 2 sims.

rFactor 2 Q2 Content Drop Bundle for $33.50
Donnington Park - I already own the laser scanned verison in Assetto Corsa Competizione
Brands Hatch - I already own the laser scanned verison in Assetto Corsa Competizione
Laguna Seca - I already own the laser scanned verison in Assetto Corsa Competizione
The Infiniti Q50 - I already own comparable cars in Assetto Corsa Competizione
The Toyota Corolla GR - I already own comparable cars in Assetto Corsa Competizione

Lets compare the rF2 Q2 Bundle to ACC
Assetto Corsa Competizione - $15.99 currently on sale
Assetto Corsa Competizione - Intercontinental GT Pack (5 tracks) $5.99 currently on Sale
Assetto Corsa Competizione - British GT Pack (3 tracks) $5.19 currently on sale
Assetto Corsa Competizione - Challengers Pack (5 cars) $9.89 currently on sale
Grand Total: $37.06

Verdict - If you don't own Assetto Corsa Competizion, skip this rFactor 2 Q2 Content drop and go and get it now! It's a much better deal and sim too. As for me, I'm not spending another nickel on any rFactor 2 content until someone other than the broke and corrupt company Motorsports Games owns them.
 
Premium
Why it's not geared to kids? We started with videoagames very young. GT2 was perceived like a sim on the PSX. The kids of today have games like AC and RF2 and when they look for the best simulations available with which test their skills, RF2 comes on top. With the controller it's perfectly playable, smooth and precise. One just needs to spend 1-2 hrs tweaking things to his like and then it's just playing.
If they just release some more free car and track combo when they release the DLC, would be great for everybody, old and young.
And they released great free content recently. Just... bring some more.

[edit]
I mean, KartSim is under a paywall. If I remember well there is nothing free. Gives the people something to try: one kart and one track, make some YT trailer, push the content!
KartSim is a third party DLC which is not owned by S397.
There are two karts and several free tracks, but they are not "fresh". But there are some pretty decent tracks on the Steamworkshop.
 
So let me get this straight, for a mere $33.50 you get 2 BTCC cars and 3 tracks? That seems a little steep. I believe for the Q1 Content Drop for 3 cars and 1 track I paid $19+. It seems that Studio 397 (or should I really say the greedy and out of cash Motorsports Games) is way overpricing additional content for rFactor 2. Let's compare 2 sims.

rFactor 2 Q2 Content Drop Bundle for $33.50
Donnington Park - I already own the laser scanned verison in Assetto Corsa Competizione
Brands Hatch - I already own the laser scanned verison in Assetto Corsa Competizione
Laguna Seca - I already own the laser scanned verison in Assetto Corsa Competizione
The Infiniti Q50 - I already own comparable cars in Assetto Corsa Competizione
The Toyota Corolla GR - I already own comparable cars in Assetto Corsa Competizione

Lets compare the rF2 Q2 Bundle to ACC
Assetto Corsa Competizione - $15.99 currently on sale
Assetto Corsa Competizione - Intercontinental GT Pack (5 tracks) $5.99 currently on Sale
Assetto Corsa Competizione - British GT Pack (3 tracks) $5.19 currently on sale
Assetto Corsa Competizione - Challengers Pack (5 cars) $9.89 currently on sale
Grand Total: $37.06

Verdict - If you don't own Assetto Corsa Competizion, skip this rFactor 2 Q2 Content drop and go and get it now! It's a much better deal and sim too. As for me, I'm not spending another nickel on any rFactor 2 content until someone other than the broke and corrupt company Motorsports Games owns them.
I would suggest then, wait for a sale. Should be summer soon.
 

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