Almost 1500 readers entered the VirtualR Real-Time Racing contest, hoping to win one of the beta keys for iOpener’s exciting new system.

It almost seems like the question I picked was too easy (or VirtualR readers are too well informed when it comes to sim racing) as only six submitted answers were wrong.

Of course, the Belgian Circuit Zolder is the first ever official iOpener Enabled test track. A random draw has selected the following ten entrants that will receive a RTR beta key. One of the lucky few has also been drawn to receive the strictly limited iOpener Enabled T-Shirt on top.

• Grégory Bruart
• Petr Simon
• Kris Hudson
• Patrick Ziller
• Ross Siggers (Key + iOpener T-Shirt)
• Jukka Kirveskari
• Krispijn te Riet
• Olivier Théatre
• François Quil
• Shaun Field

Congratulations to all winners and thanks to everybody who entered. The winners will be receiving their key from iOpener soon, happy racing against the pros!

Some rather worrying news for the sim racing modding scene come from the BATracer browser game which has been forced to go offline by Ferrari S.p.A earlier today.

Ferrari demands the deletion of all user-created Ferrari-related content such as carsets and logos due to the fact that these weren’t officially authorised . BATracer is a motorsports browser game, the material in question are nothing more than a few photos, logos and trademarked names. As a result, the BATracer website is now offline and users won’t be able to upload new content until further notice.

This may become a potential problem for the sim racing modding scene as BATracer is a free game, still Ferrari felt the need to unleash their lawyers on them. A few days ago, several VirtualR readers were discussing whether or not user-created content for racing simulations qualifies as artwork and as such, does not breach copyright. I guess we now have an answer what the license holders think about this issue….

First off to prevent confusion, the following has nothing to do with iOpener’s Real-Time Racing project, the names are just very much similar.

British-based company Real Time Race is looking to revolutionize the racing game genre by replacing standard graphics with footage from video and laser scanning.

Their concept has been in the works for four years now, producing some very interesting results already. Using 360-degree cameras, GPS and laser-scanner, they acquire data from tracks and cars that is later stitched together so it can be used in racing games. Sounds a little confusing? Make sure to watch the video below as it’s perfectly explained there, including an early look on how the finished product could look.

For further info on their technology, make sure to also pay the Real Time Race website a visit.

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.

Read More

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

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!

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 Superleague Formula Series has released the intro video of their upcoming official racing game, showing some fast-paced SLF action on various tracks.

Developed by rFactor-creators Image Space Incorporated, the game is planned to be released before the series final round at Jarama two weeks from now. Confirmation has also been given that the game will be a commercial title, a free 60-minute demo will be available for download – Sim racers will be asked to purchase the full version once the time is up.

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 & Girgio Pantano.

Back in 2008, I posted a short story on a public bus simulator for the PC. What was meant to be a light-hearted new story on a rather bizarre simulator generated lots of interest as they story is still attracting hits today.

So, since there’s obviously a demand for bus simulations, some of you will be pleased to see the following as a demo of the City Bus Simulator 2010 is now available. Set in New York City, City Bus Simulator lets you drive on many well-known routes, features include a route editor, a virtual radio station highly-detailed buses and more. For more info, check out the video below and visit the game’s website.

By the way, I´m very much looking forward to the discussion on whether or not the bus physics are hardcore enough

Download City Bus Simulator 2010 Demo Here

Earlier today, Zolder was the scene of Real-Time Racing’s first beta test during at FIA GT Championship practice session as 5000 beta testers had the chance to virtually compete against Belgian driver Bas Leinders and his Ford GT race car.

But Real-Time Racing wasn’t just active on track, the innovative company was also present in the track’s paddock area. Below are a bunch of photos and a short video of the RTR simulation software in action, courtesy of bsimracing.com.

If you´re interested to join the RTR beta test in the future, you can pre-register for a beta key here, new keys will be giving out on a regular basis.

 

Via BSR

Less than nine hours from now, the next stage in Real-Time Racing’s beta test phase will be launched as 5000 beta testers will be racing against real race driver Bas Leinders.

For the first time ever, sim racers will virtually join a practice session of the FIA GT championship as Leinders will be driving his iOpener enabled Ford GT in the series’ practice session at Zolder tomorrow morning, chased by real and virtual competitors. In anticipation of the event, iOpener has released for high resolution previews of the Ford GT car that will be used in the session tomorrow.

The event is another puzzle piece in my earlier-voiced theory on how iOpener’s and Simbin’s efforts could very well lead to a new FIA GT simulation. Earlier this month, iOpener staff was present at the FIA GT’s Paul Ricard round and the permission to have iOpener’s technology installed and used during an official FIA GT practice session hints towards a growing partnership of all parties involved.

If you´re interested to join the RTR beta test in the future, you can pre-register for a beta key here, new keys will be giving out on a regular basis.

 

iRacing.com continues to give sim racing high-profile media exposure, following TV appearances on NBC and a sponsorship deal in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the software and sim racing in general was now featured in the New York Times.

The “Gray Lady” is not just the United States’ biggest metropolitan newspaper but also operates the country’s most popular news website that is visited by 18 million readers each month. The article focuses on iRacing and some of its famous subscribers but also explains sim racing in general and does not fail to mention other titles such as rFactor, GTR and Grand Prix Legends.

Click Here to Read The New York Times Sim Racing Article