When it comes to variety, every racing simulation has its own approach: While titles like Assetto Corsa Competizione are focused on a single discipline, others try to offer as much variety as possible. RaceRoom falls into the latter category, offering multiple content pieces that cannot be found in other sims – but it leaves a lot of potential untapped when it comes to period-correct tracks.
Image Credit: RaceRoom
Modern series like the ADAC GT Masters, DTM or WTCR are a staple of RaceRoom, but the sim also offers numerous historical series with unmatched depth like Group 5 (a.k.a. DRM), DTM 1992, or GTO Classics. Other classes with less variety, but historical significance include Group C, the BMW M1 Cup or the 1990/91 Porsche Carrera Cup. Most of these classes come with a large number of accurate liveries as well.
RaceRoom's track roster is remarkable and features licensed versions of circuits that cannot be found in other current sims today, with the Norisring and the Salzburgring being prime examples. Developers KW Studios and Sector3 Studios have numerous exciting circuit licenses, and Automobilista 2's recent influx of historical versions of current tracks that are already in the sim showed that license holders are open to create such versions.
Imagine a 1992 DTM track pack for RaceRoom: Period-correct versions of Zolder, the Nürburgring, Hockenheimring, Norisring, Brno could be added to their modern counterparts that are already available – then only the Wunstorf and Diepholz airfield circuits plus the Alemannenring street circuit in Singen would be missing to form a full calendar. The series also raced on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife that year, which itself would still work well thanks to its old-school nature.
Image Credit: RaceRoom
With RaceRoom also featuring a large DRM grid from the early 1980s, this class would similarly profit from the addition of these vintage versions. Of course, it is perfectly possible to have great races with older vehicles on modern tracks, but driving them at the circuits they were designed for and actually raced at in their day just adds another level of not only immersion, but also excitement thanks to corners that were often faster while having considerably less run-off.
Of course, there are likely other priorities for the sim: Currently, it does not feature either rain or dynamic day/night cycles as well as online driver swaps, which results in RaceRoom not being an alternative for endurance racing. Maybe more historic content would be something to consider for a possible RaceRoom 2, then.
Image Credit: RaceRoom
Modern series like the ADAC GT Masters, DTM or WTCR are a staple of RaceRoom, but the sim also offers numerous historical series with unmatched depth like Group 5 (a.k.a. DRM), DTM 1992, or GTO Classics. Other classes with less variety, but historical significance include Group C, the BMW M1 Cup or the 1990/91 Porsche Carrera Cup. Most of these classes come with a large number of accurate liveries as well.
Deep Historical Grids
Having series like the full 1992 DTM grid available right down to the smaller efforts of Opel with their Omega 3000 Evo 500 or Ford with their Mustang GT DTM models is excellent, especially since cars like these tend to be overlooked in other sims that feature Group A cars. Unfortunately, however, racing these vehicles on modern circuits does not quite have the right feel to it – at least for motorsport history enthusiasts.RaceRoom's track roster is remarkable and features licensed versions of circuits that cannot be found in other current sims today, with the Norisring and the Salzburgring being prime examples. Developers KW Studios and Sector3 Studios have numerous exciting circuit licenses, and Automobilista 2's recent influx of historical versions of current tracks that are already in the sim showed that license holders are open to create such versions.
Imagine a 1992 DTM track pack for RaceRoom: Period-correct versions of Zolder, the Nürburgring, Hockenheimring, Norisring, Brno could be added to their modern counterparts that are already available – then only the Wunstorf and Diepholz airfield circuits plus the Alemannenring street circuit in Singen would be missing to form a full calendar. The series also raced on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife that year, which itself would still work well thanks to its old-school nature.
Image Credit: RaceRoom
Complex Tracks Are Coming
The recent additions or announcements of the Circuit de Charade and the Circuit de Pau-Ville show that the developers are perfectly capable of creating complex tracks with an old-school feel, so this would be a good way to capitalize on the excellent historical content that is in the sim already. Additionally, some circuits like the Norisring have not changed their layout since then, so not too many adjustments would need to be made to the track itself.With RaceRoom also featuring a large DRM grid from the early 1980s, this class would similarly profit from the addition of these vintage versions. Of course, it is perfectly possible to have great races with older vehicles on modern tracks, but driving them at the circuits they were designed for and actually raced at in their day just adds another level of not only immersion, but also excitement thanks to corners that were often faster while having considerably less run-off.
Of course, there are likely other priorities for the sim: Currently, it does not feature either rain or dynamic day/night cycles as well as online driver swaps, which results in RaceRoom not being an alternative for endurance racing. Maybe more historic content would be something to consider for a possible RaceRoom 2, then.
