Assetto Corsa is not known for rallycross or rally mods for the most part. However, with a selection of appropriate cars now available and circuits like Lydden Hill starting to appear, the modding community is certainly opening up to the niche of Rallycross.
Rallycross is not an absent genre in the world of sim racing. Dirt Rally and Dirt Rally 2.0 feature the fast and furious discipline, as does Automobilista 2. However, Assetto Corsa has always struggled to capture that side of sim racing. The tide appears to be changing, however.
SEAT Cordoba Kitcar sideways through 'Chessons Drift'
Lydden Hill is the shortest road racing circuit in the United Kingdom and it was originally owned by McLaren. The British car manufacturer applied to have the circuit as a private testing venue for their road cars, however, this was turned down by the local council.
Toyota vs Ford at the hairpin
On 4 February 1967, the sport of Rallycross was created at Lydden Hill. The original idea was thought up by then-TV producer, Robert Reed, and race organiser Bud Smith. Their idea for the race was to combine tarmac and dirt elements into the same race. The inaugural event was won by Vic Elford in his Porsche 911 and since that day, Lydden Circuit has been named as the home of Rallycross.
Fast forward to 2008, and British Rally X Champion and FIA European Rally X Championship runner-up Pat Doran managed to strike a deal and obtained the lease for the circuit from McLaren. He later became the owner of the circuit which he continues to oversee to this day.
SEAT Cordoba taking the joker lap at Lydden Hill
The mod is fantastic quality, the surfaces feel good on both dirt and tarmac, the textures and recreation of the circuit really show the undulation in the landscape and most importantly, it is great fun to race around.
The downsides to the mod are that setting up a simulated rallycross event is impossible currently, the AI can not start on the dirt, nor can they take the joker lap. However, there are still plenty of awesome races to be had. If you have your own Assetto Corsa server, you and others can easily recreate a proper rallycross event!
Lydden Hill's famous starting line. Image: Luis Barata
Overall, the Lydden Hill circuit is a fantastic addition for rally and rallycross fans to try out their favourite specialist cars with, let us know if you recreate any famous event that have taken place at this iconic venue.
What do you think about the Lydden Hill circuit? Let us know in the comments below!
Rallycross is not an absent genre in the world of sim racing. Dirt Rally and Dirt Rally 2.0 feature the fast and furious discipline, as does Automobilista 2. However, Assetto Corsa has always struggled to capture that side of sim racing. The tide appears to be changing, however.
SEAT Cordoba Kitcar sideways through 'Chessons Drift'
The History Of Lydden Hill
Lydden Hill Race Circuit, formerly known as Lydden Circuit, is a famous rallycross track located close to the port town of Dover in Kent, England. The mile-long circuit is used for Rallycross and drifting, however, there have been several saloon car races held at the venue as well as motorbike racing in the past.Lydden Hill is the shortest road racing circuit in the United Kingdom and it was originally owned by McLaren. The British car manufacturer applied to have the circuit as a private testing venue for their road cars, however, this was turned down by the local council.
Toyota vs Ford at the hairpin
On 4 February 1967, the sport of Rallycross was created at Lydden Hill. The original idea was thought up by then-TV producer, Robert Reed, and race organiser Bud Smith. Their idea for the race was to combine tarmac and dirt elements into the same race. The inaugural event was won by Vic Elford in his Porsche 911 and since that day, Lydden Circuit has been named as the home of Rallycross.
Fast forward to 2008, and British Rally X Champion and FIA European Rally X Championship runner-up Pat Doran managed to strike a deal and obtained the lease for the circuit from McLaren. He later became the owner of the circuit which he continues to oversee to this day.
Lydden Hill In Assetto Corsa
This mod for Lydden Hill, brought to OverTake.gg by the creator Luis Barata, is free to download and try out for yourself! What makes this circuit fantastic, not only in the real world but now in Assetto Corsa, is the transfer to a dirt surface from the tarmac and back again. The setup on your car has to be really good to make it work on both surfaces. This is something very new to the world of Assetto Corsa and a welcomed addition.SEAT Cordoba taking the joker lap at Lydden Hill
The mod is fantastic quality, the surfaces feel good on both dirt and tarmac, the textures and recreation of the circuit really show the undulation in the landscape and most importantly, it is great fun to race around.
The downsides to the mod are that setting up a simulated rallycross event is impossible currently, the AI can not start on the dirt, nor can they take the joker lap. However, there are still plenty of awesome races to be had. If you have your own Assetto Corsa server, you and others can easily recreate a proper rallycross event!
Lydden Hill's famous starting line. Image: Luis Barata
Overall, the Lydden Hill circuit is a fantastic addition for rally and rallycross fans to try out their favourite specialist cars with, let us know if you recreate any famous event that have taken place at this iconic venue.
What do you think about the Lydden Hill circuit? Let us know in the comments below!
