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

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.
I have no idea why anyone would react with WTF to this at this point. It's been pretty clear right from the announcement what will be part of the first BTCC content releases and what is still to come. If you aren't satisfied with what's on offer right now, then simply skip it and come back later when there is a more complete pack maybe even with discounts. With a discount of 50 % in a sale it doesn't sound that harsh anymore. If the content is ready it needs to be sold, otherwise it's wasted money. It's not that hard to understand. If you are only interested in the tracks, you have bundle options aswell. It think it's not that bad actually with the choices given. You just need to know how much you use rF2 in general. If you are more the five-minutes-guy then don't even bother. The full pack is clearly for enthusiasts, so understandibly not really on the cheap side. Day-1-customers allways pay more, so make up your minds and decide wisely.
 
Premium
Agree, and when Motorsport Games bought RF2 the last year, I was expecting to see them announcing RF3 on Unreal Engine sooner or later. We'll see how this will turn out.
Still, for a young kid the AC DLC packs are a way better deal, they are super cheap right now.

They should have released some free car and track together with the DLC, just to please everybody and attract new blood. Or at least update some old content and make some YT trailers with them.
I see that they are releasing trailers more often now to push and announce content and this can work also for the old updated stuff.
But this takes menwork... will see. I hope for the best. :)
Unreal engine is not very good for simulations due to high latency.
Also, cars look detached from the track, making the representation much less realistic (I believe that only with shadows in ultra you get a good "contact patch shadow").
 
I normally buy all the DLC fo RF2 to support development of the game, I am 50/50 on buying this, they are basically charging full game prices for a few cars and tracks, this wouldn't be as bad if the games wasn't full of bugs. This is the first DLC that i going to ponder on ;/
 
These are about same prices as it used to be. So people, get your act together, you spend crazy money on your rigs, but you don't show any love to sim developers who actually makes your simracing rigs valuable to begin with...
 
I'm excited about the new content but I think they do have a responsibility to their customers to update all of the older content that's not ISI. Like Toban for instance. It's the demo track for F's sake! Don't they want to impress potential new customers? Also, the Reiza pack price should be reduced and there should be a disclaimer on it that it's not updated.
Same goes for any modders selling their outdated mods at full price.
:mad:
 
Last edited:
Premium
These are about same prices as it used to be. So people, get your act together, you spend crazy money on your rigs, but you don't show any love to sim developers who actually makes your simracing rigs valuable to begin with...
The Q1 pack was remarkably cheap, so that might have distorted expectations .
But personally this could be a tiny bit cheaper, IMO.
I would have kept it under the €30,00 barrier OR created a BTCC pass covering all cars and the remaining tracks for something like €50,00/55,00.
This would give them immediate cash flow.
However, there would be a monumental amount of speculation around the likelihood of more content actually arriving.
Unfounded, in my opinion, because I wholeheartedly trust Paul Jeffrey’s truthfulness and enthusiasm which, I feel, is founded on direct knowledge on what is already being developed and in progress.
 
Premium
I'm excited about the new content but I think they do have a responsibility to their customers to update all of the older content that's not ISI. Like Toban for instance. It's the demo track for F's sake! Don't they want to impress potential new customers? Also, the Reiza pack price should be reduced and there should be a disclaimer on it that it's not updated.
Same goes for any modders selling their outdated mods at full price.
:mad:
They have no control over Reiza’s content, neither on price, nor on its lack of visual updates.
As for the Demo, to the very least it should be changed to exemplify the current content better, like for instance a Lime Rock + USF2000 combo.
 
I'm excited about the new content but I think they do have a responsibility to their customers to update all of the older content that's not ISI. Like Toban for instance. It's the demo track for F's sake! Don't they want to impress potential new customers? Also, the Reiza pack price should be reduced and there should be a disclaimer on it that it's not updated.
Same goes for any modders selling their outdated mods at full price.
:mad:
Reiza stuff now looks like RF1. It's like playing another game from a different decade.

Any s397 paid tracks/models should be updated IMO
 
Last edited:
What is the demo car now? I remember the Honda Civic and Silverstone long time ago. They could use Limerock and the free BMW M4, or one of the Tatuus.
See, that is another potential way to promote the game. Pick a car/track combo that has been updated with the most recent tech, use it for the demo and make trailers. Invite new players to give it a go. Then, when there is a new major update, change the combo, release a new demo an promote it. It doesn't take a week for the devs to put together a demo.
There will be some folks that will stick with the demo, but sooner or later, they will pick the game and probably the paid DLC content that they tried. That's what I did with RF2 back then: I started with the demo and bought it asap.
And ISI was used to change the demo content periodically.

[edit]
Damn mate, we chose almost the same combo! I was writing while you were posting. :)
M4 is not free LOL.
You have probably mistaken it with ACC’s which was free :)
 
These are about same prices as it used to be. So people, get your act together, you spend crazy money on your rigs, but you don't show any love to sim developers who actually makes your simracing rigs valuable to begin with...
Fair enough, BUT…
Given current situation around MSG, as well as Marcel leaving S397, which could potentially affect rF2 future, you are spending money on sth that can be of no value in half a year.
I wish rF2 all the best, but it’s strategy is a little bit off, for me.
 

Latest News

Article information

Author
Mike Smith
Article read time
3 min read
Views
46,655
Comments
258
Last update

Are you buying car setups?

  • Yes

  • No


Results are only viewable after voting.
Back
Top