Tired of circuit-based racing? The Assetto Corsa Autocross mods offer a dirt-based-alternative - and they are exceptionally fun, too!
There is no doubt about Assetto Corsa being THE mod platform in sim racing. For the most part, however, the community-created content focuses on circuit-based racing, or at least on racing and driving on paved surfaces. But AC has no problem with getting dirty, either: A batch of Autocross mods by OverTake community member @SmakzZ are the perfect testament to this.
Image: @SmakzZ
Despite the sim's physics engine originally not having dirt in mind, it can handle it remarkably well in some cases. Three of them come together in the Autocross mods. First of all, there's the Saint Georges de Montaigu circuit, a small track located south of Nantes in western France. The only paved part you will find there is the starting area - the rest of the lap is pure dirt.
And since racing in the dirt is the most fun if you have the proper machinery to sling around in said dirt at your disposal, @SmakzZ has take care of this element as well. One of the dirt track toys they uploaded is the Camotos Cross Car. Powered by a 600cc motorcycle engine, the little Cross Car weighs only 300 kg, so there is plenty of fun to be had with this small racer. It is not exactly slow, either: At the Montaigu circuit, I was regularly approaching 200 kph - quite a scary proposition in such a tiny cockpit.
Tiny as it may be, the Cross Car packs quite a punch.
If a slightly bigger dirt racing weapon is more your forte, look no further than the ProPulsion S2 Junior buggy SmakzZ has uploaded. Just like the Cross Car, it is based on French FFSA regulations. It has more power, but even doubles the weight of the Cross Car, making it quite challenging to drive.
The absence of a handbrake in either car makes this even more challenging, but also really good fun. At least I had a great time trying to develop a proper technique for driving both vehicles, although it is safe to say that I will not be anywhere near competitive in either of them anytime soon.
My go-to mess-up was good ol' overrotation - you are happy to have induced a nice slide and are already facing the corner's apex - and then you realize that there is no stopping the rear from overtaking you. Whoops. Hitting the dirt embankments and rolling more times than you can count is optional, though.
Image: @SmakzZ
What are your thoughts on the @SmakzZ Autocross mods? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
There is no doubt about Assetto Corsa being THE mod platform in sim racing. For the most part, however, the community-created content focuses on circuit-based racing, or at least on racing and driving on paved surfaces. But AC has no problem with getting dirty, either: A batch of Autocross mods by OverTake community member @SmakzZ are the perfect testament to this.
Image: @SmakzZ
Despite the sim's physics engine originally not having dirt in mind, it can handle it remarkably well in some cases. Three of them come together in the Autocross mods. First of all, there's the Saint Georges de Montaigu circuit, a small track located south of Nantes in western France. The only paved part you will find there is the starting area - the rest of the lap is pure dirt.
And since racing in the dirt is the most fun if you have the proper machinery to sling around in said dirt at your disposal, @SmakzZ has take care of this element as well. One of the dirt track toys they uploaded is the Camotos Cross Car. Powered by a 600cc motorcycle engine, the little Cross Car weighs only 300 kg, so there is plenty of fun to be had with this small racer. It is not exactly slow, either: At the Montaigu circuit, I was regularly approaching 200 kph - quite a scary proposition in such a tiny cockpit.
Tiny as it may be, the Cross Car packs quite a punch.
If a slightly bigger dirt racing weapon is more your forte, look no further than the ProPulsion S2 Junior buggy SmakzZ has uploaded. Just like the Cross Car, it is based on French FFSA regulations. It has more power, but even doubles the weight of the Cross Car, making it quite challenging to drive.
Sideways Or Understeer - Your Choice
And it is absolutely imperative to get this thing sideways in order to make it through a corner. The same is true for the Cross Car, but it is amplified by the buggy's higher weight - fail to kick out the rear and you will have to slow down to a crawl to make it around most turns. Otherwise, you can turn the wheel all you want - you will understeer into oblivion.The absence of a handbrake in either car makes this even more challenging, but also really good fun. At least I had a great time trying to develop a proper technique for driving both vehicles, although it is safe to say that I will not be anywhere near competitive in either of them anytime soon.
My go-to mess-up was good ol' overrotation - you are happy to have induced a nice slide and are already facing the corner's apex - and then you realize that there is no stopping the rear from overtaking you. Whoops. Hitting the dirt embankments and rolling more times than you can count is optional, though.
Image: @SmakzZ
What are your thoughts on the @SmakzZ Autocross mods? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
