The Big December 2020 RaceRoom Update Arrives

Normally we just stick to the version numbers, but the big December 2020 RaceRoom update feels like it needs a bit more fanfare as it’s the largest release from Sector3 Studios in a while.

The new cars and tracks available with the release are the Audi R8 LMS GT2, Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo and Audi R8 LMS GT4, the Volkswagen ID.R, and the 1976 Volkswagen Scirocco Group 2. Plus the arrival of Watkins Glen with four layouts available, and the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit.

Unfortunately it means that the Brands Hatch Indy and GP circuits will now be available as separate paid DLC, but there is a 50% discount running until midnight on December 25th, 2020. Although it does seem strange that a new pack couldn’t be released, for example, with Indy and GP versions held at a cheaper price?

Back to the positives, and there’s a load of physics engine updates, a host of cars are brought onto the v4.1 tyre model, and a number of other changes and improvements also arrive.

December 2020 RaceRoom Update Release Notes:

Update details:

• Download size = 5.3 GB
• Client version = 0.9.2.16
• Client BuildID = 5996517
• Dedi version = 70.0.1235
• Dedi BuildID = 5996692

Content releases:

• Audi R8 LMS GT4 (2020)
• Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO
• Audi R8 LMS GT2
• Volkswagen Scirocco Group 2 (1976)
• Volkswagen ID. R
• Brands Hatch Grand Prix layout
• Watkins Glen International, with four layouts.

Physics engine:

• Physics engine – Added support for engine maps. Cars featuring these will have special settings in the car setup menu. Control bindings are also added to alter the map from inside the cockpit, which not all cars support.
• Physics engine – Added support for modifying the amount of Engine Braking from the car setup.
• Physics engine – Added support for throttle maps. Those are not tweakable in car setup but are specific to each car.
• Physics engine – Revamp of the turbo simulation for better realism of spool / throttle management.
• Physics engine – Added support for Energy recovery system, which is adjustable for electric & hybrid engines in the car setup menu as well as through a key bind from the cockpit.
• Physics engine – Revamp of the aerodynamics simulation of the diffuser to better simulate diffuser stalls when too close to the ground.

Tyre model updates:

The following cars are brought to v4.1:

• Audi Sport TT Cup
• Audi TT RS VLN
• CUPRA eRacer
• DTM 1992
• Formula RaceRoom 90
• Formula RaceRoom Junior
• Group 2 (new class)
• Group 4
• Group 5
• GT2
• GT3
• GT4
• GTE
• Hillclimb Icons
• Mercedes DTM 2003 and 2005
• NSU TTS
• Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport
• Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (sprint & endurance specs)
• Porsche 911 Carrera Cup (964)
• Silhouettes
• Touring Classics
• Volkswagen ID.R
• WTCC 14-15-16-17
• WTCR 18-19

Engine maps

The following cars are featuring engine maps:

• Audi TT RS VLN
• CUPRA eRacer
• Formula RaceRoom 90
• Formula RaceRoom U.S.
• Formula RaceRoom X-17
• Group 5
• Group C
• GT3 classes
• GTE
• GTR2 class
• Nissan Skyline (Touring Classics) has 2 engine maps
• P1
• P2
• Mercedes DTM 2003 and 2005
• Volkswagen ID.R

Dedicated server:

• Added “Skip Qualifying” option. If this is enabled, the server will fetch leaderboard laptimes of all connected players for the current track layout and the performance index of the car they’re driving. The starting grid of the race will be defined by those lap times.
• Added “Prevent false start” option. If set to off, players will be able to jump the start of the race and receive a penalty for doing so.
• Added support for race duration in laps.
• Added an option for rolling or standing starts for each race session. A rolling start is right now still AI controlled, but we aim for human control rolling starts in 2021.

Changelog:

• New replay menu
• Spectator – New data is available through the API.
• New data in shared memory API for Traction Control level, Engine Map and Engine Braking settings.
• Unification of cut detections between the reputation system and the cut corridors. Previously, an incident point for an off-track would not always result in the invalidation of the lap.
• Added a key bind to override traction control and allow for that quick 180 recovery from a spin.
• Pitstops – WTCR car classes are now using the same pitstop timers as the GT4 car class.
• Physics – Tweaks to behaviour of gravel and grass.
• Physics – WTCR car classes now make use of the Anti-Lag System that had been developed for DTM 2020.
• Physics – Fixed tyre pressure that wasn’t being set properly on preheated tyres which affected leaderboards.
• Physics – Launch control logic change where it will now disengage when upshifting from 1st gear.
• Sounds – ALS sound effects added to WTCR cars
• Sounds – New external sounds for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR (18&19)
• Sounds – New external sounds for the Radical SR9 AER
• Sounds – Improved external sounds of the BMW M4 DTM 2020
• Sounds – Improved external sounds of the Peugeot 308 TCR
• Sounds – Improved cockpit and external sounds of the Porsche 962C
• Sounds – Improved external sounds of the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport
• Sounds – New cockpit sounds recording for the Audi RS 5 DTM 2020
• Sounds – New cockpit sounds recording for the Chevrolet Dekon Monza
• AI – Countless tweaks and improvements to AI behaviour and their racelines around tracks
• Added support for 32:9 monitor ratios
• Art – Bathurst updated to 2020 specs
• Art – Imola updated to 2020 specs
• Art – Portimao updated to 2020 specs
• Art – Oschersleben – Added a missing brake marker at turn 1 and a bump in the road that was missing after turn 3.
• Added support for manual inlaps at the end of the race session. This option is currently accessible through Gameplay Settings, but we eventually plan to make it a server option just like driving assists so it can be forced on or off.

At a sizeable 5.3GB, you should find the update is available through Steam now, and you might want to start downloading it some time before you fancy trying out the changes.

You can download Raceroom Racing Experience on the PC for free via Steam. Some additional content is available via Steam, but everything can be purchased via the official game store.

Keep up with all the latest RaceRoom news, updates and eSports articles, here. And check everything available for free and via paid DLC with our RaceRoom car list, and RaceRoom track list.