Thanks PieterN - the post below from ECAR_Tracks discussing the issue stood out for me:
"I've been noticing that Windows transparency effects affects some DirectX applications somehow, even they're running in full-screen mode (go figure). Maybe choosing a solid colour scheme helps a bit
https://www.tekrevue.com/tip/disable...cy-windows-10/
Regardless to stuttering, going back to Nvidia Crashes stuff:
I've just run the third endurance race (8 hours) in a row with my Le Mans Bugatti track. I didn't change anything: same Nvidia driver, same rF2 building, same cars being used, W10, CPU with same clock, and the same infamous GTX 980.
What I changed: basically everything in my track. Reviewed all objects one per one, searching for trashy information on 3dsMax channel info, isolated vertices, unused smoothing groups, unused map verts, overlapping faces, night lights without respective glows, etc. I found many, many issues. After that, it looks like I fixed what was crashing my Nvidia Drivers 10 in 10 attempts to run in my own track.
In addition: other tracks as VLM Le Mans 1991-1996 keep crashing after few minutes. So, I can eliminate hardware variables.
Tonight I'll run the final test - 8 hours racing through night and raining, URD 30 cars (PX1, PX2 and EGT). If it succeeds, I can state the problem is solved. I know, every system is different. But it's a good prospect.
For the guys who are currently modelling their tracks: have a look in channel info, clean unused stuff, mainly VC, Illumination and Alpha of race-surfaces."
And it looks like he just released a potential fix for it 2 days ago:
http://isiforums.net/f/showthread.p...-(FRA)-The-Bugatti-Circuit-Update-v1-00-(New)
This sounds like I'm into a world of troubleshooting pain by trying to tweak drivers and graphics to stop it. Sounds like an issue with NVidia 900 series cards and something within certain tracks that client graphics tweaks and drivers won't fix.