Last weekend, the Real-Time Racing beta test kicked into higher gear as 5000 beta testers virtually joined FIA GT driver Bas Leinders on track at Zolder, competing in an official FIA GT practice session.

Leinders’ Ford GT was equipped with iOpener Enabled GPS technology, allowing sim racers to race the Belgian driver right from their home. Now, Leinders has spoken to the RTR staff about his experience, you can check out the interview below (you might have to click “Read More”).

If you´re interested to join the Real-Time Racing beta program, make sure to visit their website and pre-register for a beta key. Furthermore, you can win one of ten beta keys by entering the VirtualR competition here.

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This is not exactly sim-related news but very worth mentioning as the future of one of the world’s finest race tracks is in jeopardy.

Local residents are threatening the existence of Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium’s Grand Prix venue, with their noise complaints. Even though Spa has hosted racing since 1921, noise seems to be an issue all of a sudden as the residents have managed to get a court decision in their favor.

It’s time for the motorsport community to speak up and voice support for this great track. Featuring the legendary Eau Rouge corner, Spa is one of the very few race tracks have managed to save their historical flair despite modern developments. Over 21.000 people have already joined the petition and you can too – It’s free and easy.

Sign the Spa-Francorchamps Petition Here

Tim Hogendoorn has put together a stunning promo video of ARCA Sim Racing, showing off the title’s stock car racing action in an exciting fashion.

Made by The Sim Factory and based on Image Space Incorporated’s gMotor2 engine, ARCA Sim Racing brings the ARCA Re/Max stock car series to the PC. The ARCA Sim Racing client can be downloaded here.

The Live for Speed Team has released a new version of their racing simulation, introducing the changes listed below.

The patch does not include the much anticipated VW Scirocco or the laser-scanned Rockingham track, the team wanted to share the improvements that have been made in the meantime to shorten the waiting times a little.

If you´re an existing LfS user, you can either obtain the patch by using the auto-update feature or download it below. A full version download is also available.

Changelog:

- Improved car shadows
- New wheel drawing system
- Improved road car dashboards
- ABS brakes on some road cars
- Improved and much faster List of Hosts
- Powerful and flexible multiple screen support

Download Live for Speed Version Z25 Patch Here

Download Live for Speed Version Z25 Full Version Here

Image Space Incorporated and the Superleague Formula Series have released the Superleague Formula Game, bringing the 2009 SLF season to the PC.

Based on ISI’s popular gMotor 2 simulation engine, the game includes all cars, drivers, rules and tracks of the 2009 SLF season, the second in series history. The virtual SLF cars have been created by none other than CTDP, rFactor’s most popular open-wheel modding team.

The game includes six popular European road courses as Magny Cours, Zolder, Estoril, Monza, Jarama & Donington are included. Furthermore, the game includes all of the series rules including the two-race format used on race weekends. Due to changes, the title is now officially based on rFactor version 1.330.

The series uses a Elan-designed open wheel race car that is powered by a 750hp V12 engine. All teams in Superleague Formula represent a football club, notable clubs in the series roster include AC Milan, FC Porto, Liverpool FC and Glasgow Rangers. Even though the field consists mainly of less-known open wheel talents, some known drivers competing in SF include Tristan Gommendy, Davide Rigon, Antonio Pizzonia & Sebastien Bourdais.

The game can be downloaded below, every user can try the product for 60 minutes before deciding whether to buy it or not. Just as rFactor, the game is purchased via a licensing system, it sells for $40/34,99€.

 

Download Superleague Formula Game Mirror 1 Here

Download Superleague Formula Game Mirror 2 Here

Download Superleague Formula Game Mirror 3 Here

iRacing.com has released a new build of their online racing simulation, adding the much anticipated Dallara Indycar and the Corvette C6.R GT1 race car to their simulation.

The Honda-powered Dallara Indycar is the sole car used for competition in the Indycar series, home of the famous Indianapolis 500 held each may. Introduced in 2005, the Corvette C6.R was Corvette Racing’s weapon of choice in the American Le Mans Series and at Le Mans, clinching several championships and class wins. iRacing subscribers can now buy both cars for $11.95 each.

Another important change in the new build is the introducing of Hosted Racing, opening up iRacing’s platform for interested leagues and clubs that want to host their own races. The very detailed release notes of the new build can be found below, you might have to click “Read More” to see them. The two videos below show the two new cars in action, the Dallara at Indianapolis and the Corvette racing at Mosport.

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The recent beta tests of the iOpener Enabled Real-Time Racing game have created quite a stir in the community, even though many sim racers failed to get an invite to join the beta experience due to the huge demand.

This changes now as VirtualR is able to give away ten Real-Time Racing beta keys as well as one strictly-limited iOpener Enabled T-Shirt. If you want to drive against real race drivers right from your home, simply answer the question below:

Which racing venue is the first ever official iOpener Enabled test track?

You know the answer? Great, then make sure to send it to contest@virtualr.net (please include your full name and a working email-address!) until Sunday November 1st 23:59 CET.

And if you have absolutely no idea, checking out the Real-Time Racing website might be a good idea!

The lucky beta key winners and the shirt winner will be announced on Monday, good luck to all participants!

Team LMT, known for their high-quality Formula One league mods for rFactor, will be releasing their first ever public mod next Monday, bringing the Ferrari F60 and the Singapore 2009 Grand Prix circuit to the simulation.

Below is a new video as team leader Remus introduces both the F60 and the track to VirtualR’s readers, showing a full lap around the Singapore Grand Prix track.

iRacing has added the Mospot International Raceway to their online racing simulation as the track can now be purchased by iRacing subscribers for $14.95.

Located north of Bowmanville, Ontario, Mosport is one of Canada’s most famous motorsport venues. The 4 kilometer track layout includes 10 turns and is one of the very few classical racetracks that remained almost completely unchanged over the years. The track has a rich history both in terms of Formula One and sports cars, hosting the Canadian Grand Prix until 1977 and still being a very active sports car racing venue today.

 

Giuseppe Rainieri has new previews of his Formula One 1998 mod project for rFactor, showing the Jordan 198 and the helmets of drivers Damon Hill & Ralf Schumacher.

Powered by a Mugen-Honda engine, the 198 helped Jordan Grand Prix finish fourth in the manufacturers championship, clinching a win and three podium finishes.

Originally created by CTDP for F1 Challenge, Giuseppe has received permission to bring their mod to rFactor.

 

Earlier this summer, Black Bean Games & Milestone released Superstars V8 Racing, bringing the European Superstars Championship to the PC and gaming consoles.

The title received mediocre reviews, suffering from rather poor graphics and physics as well as a missing cockpit view. The developers are given another chance though as a new version will be coming in Q1 2010. Improvements will include new cars and tracks as well as an improved online mode.

Furthermore, the team will be assisted by former F1 driver and Superstars Champion Gianni Morbidelli, hoping to make the new Superstars title more realistic.

 

The third installment of Turn 10’s Forza Motorsport franchise brings over 400 cars and 100 to the Xbox 360, aiming to create a new benchmark title in terms of console driving games.

Can the newest Forza give Gran Turismo a run for its money and is the title something sim racer should consider? Read the review to find out.

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Jessica, Darin & Shaun of Insidesimracing.tv have released their video review of Sligthly Mad Studios’ Need for Speed Shift title, giving us an extensive look at the popular new racing game.

Furthermore, the video includes the newest edition of their top sim cars rating and the guys answer some Forza Motorsport 3 related questions. Enjoy the show!

The guys over at Panogames.com have released an impressive collection of 360-degree panorama screenshots, showing off iRacing’s online racing simulation.

Eight shots show various cars and tracks in full detail, the panorama shots can be rotated and zoomed to catch every single detail.

Visit iRacing Panorama Screenshot Gallery Here