The rF Open Wheel Racing Project is working on bringing the 2008 Indycar season to rFactor and as the release is nearing rapidly, I got the chance to taker a closer look at the mod.
The 2007 version of the mod made an instant impact on open-wheel racing fans, motivation enough for the team to raise the bar a lot for the new version. Following Champ Cars demise, 2008 was the first year of a unified American open-wheel racing series for more than ten years. Indycar Series 2008 includes all cars from the 2008 – And by all cars, I literally mean all cars!
Similar to CTDP’s F1 mod, the mod comes with correct liveries and helmets for every round. Sponsors and even drivers change over the course of the season, all of them are included in the mod. The Indycar Series races on ovals, road courses and street tracks resulting in different body-styles which are all included in the mod. Vehicle filters for all Indycar rounds ensure that you´re racing against the exact field that competed in the real life race, including matching liveries and body-styles.
A lot of time has been spent on getting suitable tracks ready for this mod. The package includes setups and AI calibration files for tracks on the 2008 Indycar schedule and all tracks from JNS, SCE & TPSCC. The result of this detail work is stunning, allowing competitive and clean against the AI, even on ovals – Something rare in rFactor.
The physics have been completely redone, including very good RealFeel support. Plenty of other details round out the impressive package: From great sounds to custom setups for all IRL tracks, wet weather tires and a brand new Honda Accord Hybrid safety car – This mod contains everything an Indycar fanatic craves for…soon on your hard drive!
Paul Kelly
December 5th, 2008 at 04:49
Damn! I had no idea Mike Peters and Co. were including tracks with properly tuned AI with this mod. EXCELLENT!
I believe this mod also will be 100 percent RealFeel compatible, which also is superb.
Can’t wait for this one!
Paul Kelly
December 5th, 2008 at 04:54
My only quibble with these screens is that second picture from the right on the second row shows the cars skipping “The Boot” portion of the course at the Glen.
Since this mod is using stock car tracks from JNS, SCE and TPSCC, I sure hope we’re not forced to run the NASCAR “short” course at the Glen. The IndyCar Series uses the full Grand Prix circuit, including “The Boot.”
Otherwise, gorgeous!
ForzaBarca88
December 5th, 2008 at 09:46
Very good realfeel support? Im sold
stabiz
December 5th, 2008 at 13:57
This will probably be very good, but whats going on with the noses on these cars (Not the models, the real cars)? They were so beautiful, and now they look like Pinocchio!
Mike Peters
December 5th, 2008 at 14:10
There is some confusion it seems.
This mod DOES NOT include tracks (you will still need to download the actual track packs from the respective sites.
We simply have configured the AI learning files, TrackConfigsBase.ini and Upgrades.INI’s to work with these 3 track packs.
Paul, this includes the Watkins Glen GP at theuspits.com with the full long course.
Again, no tracks are included. The mod is just compatible and ready to go out of the box with these track packs.
JSharp
December 5th, 2008 at 15:42
For sure this is a great improvement over what has been seen in the past. This portion of the project has been in the works since Mike and I first met back in April or so. As we wrap up production on it, I would like to thank Mike for working with me on this mod…it was rough at times, but our love for the series hopefully will show with this relaunch of the mod.
Paul Kelly
December 5th, 2008 at 20:17
Ah, sorry for the confusion, Mike. Still very cool that you and your group will provide tuned setups and AI files for all IndyCar Series tracks. If only all modding groups had that attention to detail …
Looking forward to this one, man! You know I’ll pimp it to the heavens if it’s as good as I think it will be. :)
maxs
December 6th, 2008 at 21:47
dumb question : IndyCar is the same as ChampCar ? if yes i will download this one for sure :)