The streets of Houston were the scene of four CART races between 1998 and 2001. Its debut featured an iconic collision - and the track is now available for Assetto Corsa.
The race was delayed by 30 minutes due to heavy rain and was called off after seventy laps of the scheduled 100 after another downpour. The win would be handed to Dario Franchitti of Team KOOL Green, or as they are known today, Andretti Global.
Recreation of Al Unser Jr.'s #2 Team Penske car
Houston was the setting for the iconic Lap 48 collision between eventual winner, Franchitti, and his teammate Tracy. The hot-headed Canadian had been all over the back of Franchitti's car since the pair of them had switched to dry tyres.
Tracy's patience eventually gave out and the Canadian driver attempted to pass Franchitti on the inside going into turn 6. Scottish hotshot Franchitti had already committed to the apex of the corner, turning into and consequently spinning Tracy to the inside wall.
This contact with the wall was enough to damage his front suspension, ending his race. Whilst not heard on the broadcast, a heated exchange over the radio between Tracy and team owner Barry Green, followed with Tracy limping his stricken car back to the pits.
Once back on pit road, Tracy and Green almost came to blows in plain view of television cameras and the crowd on the start-finish straight. Tracy had originally been the number one driver for Team Green with Franchitti having just one season under his belt going into 1998. He felt that the team not telling the Scottish driver to move was unfair and he had to go for the move.
Many saw this as the end of Tracy and Team Green but Ironically, Tracy and Green agreed to a four-year contract extension just days after their public altercation. At the end of this contract, Team Green moved to the rival Indy Racing League, and Tracy aligned with Forsythe Racing, taking the 2003 CART title.
Driving on this track, regardless of what car you choose, will be a handful. The unpredictable bumps as well as the ninety-degree corners make this circuit a real challenge. Add in a 900-horsepower CART machine in the pouring rain and you can imagine the struggle that the real drivers faced.
The circuit is very nicely modelled with accurate sponsors and signs around the circuit. The track was of course a temporary one with the circuit being laid out on public roads. The markings are present, and they add tremendously to the immersion factor.
The tight nature of turn one at Houston.
The walls will end your race in an instant if you get too comfortable with them.
Houston created a variable and unpredictable race back in 1998, and you can create the same right in Assetto Corsa now. Whether it be re-creating the exact race, or creating your own scenarios, this circuit is the perfect proving ground for any street circuit-loving sim racer.
What do you think about the Houston circuit? Does it hold memories of watching CART back in the 90's? Let us know in the comments below!
1998 Houston Grand Prix
This fantastic temporary street circuit on the east side of downtown Houston, Texas debuted on the CART calendar in 1998. The race saw the iconic clashing of teammates Dario Franchitti and Paul Tracy while battling for the lead.The race was delayed by 30 minutes due to heavy rain and was called off after seventy laps of the scheduled 100 after another downpour. The win would be handed to Dario Franchitti of Team KOOL Green, or as they are known today, Andretti Global.
Recreation of Al Unser Jr.'s #2 Team Penske car
Houston was the setting for the iconic Lap 48 collision between eventual winner, Franchitti, and his teammate Tracy. The hot-headed Canadian had been all over the back of Franchitti's car since the pair of them had switched to dry tyres.
Tracy's patience eventually gave out and the Canadian driver attempted to pass Franchitti on the inside going into turn 6. Scottish hotshot Franchitti had already committed to the apex of the corner, turning into and consequently spinning Tracy to the inside wall.
This contact with the wall was enough to damage his front suspension, ending his race. Whilst not heard on the broadcast, a heated exchange over the radio between Tracy and team owner Barry Green, followed with Tracy limping his stricken car back to the pits.
Once back on pit road, Tracy and Green almost came to blows in plain view of television cameras and the crowd on the start-finish straight. Tracy had originally been the number one driver for Team Green with Franchitti having just one season under his belt going into 1998. He felt that the team not telling the Scottish driver to move was unfair and he had to go for the move.
Many saw this as the end of Tracy and Team Green but Ironically, Tracy and Green agreed to a four-year contract extension just days after their public altercation. At the end of this contract, Team Green moved to the rival Indy Racing League, and Tracy aligned with Forsythe Racing, taking the 2003 CART title.
Houston Has Landed In Assetto Corsa
Back to the streets of Houston, though. The circuit has been brought to Assetto Corsa for the first time by OverTake community member @Rainmaker_87. This version of the track was originally made for the first rFactor title, but with Rainmaker's conversion, it is now available for the many Assetto Corsa enjoyers.Driving on this track, regardless of what car you choose, will be a handful. The unpredictable bumps as well as the ninety-degree corners make this circuit a real challenge. Add in a 900-horsepower CART machine in the pouring rain and you can imagine the struggle that the real drivers faced.
The circuit is very nicely modelled with accurate sponsors and signs around the circuit. The track was of course a temporary one with the circuit being laid out on public roads. The markings are present, and they add tremendously to the immersion factor.
The tight nature of turn one at Houston.
The walls will end your race in an instant if you get too comfortable with them.
Houston created a variable and unpredictable race back in 1998, and you can create the same right in Assetto Corsa now. Whether it be re-creating the exact race, or creating your own scenarios, this circuit is the perfect proving ground for any street circuit-loving sim racer.
What do you think about the Houston circuit? Does it hold memories of watching CART back in the 90's? Let us know in the comments below!
