Normally I experience elation and despair by throwing away a certain victory at the last corner. But now I’ve had the same emotional rollercoaster as iRacing adds Brands Hatch and Charlotte Rallycross Tracks with the 2021 Season 1 Build.
I’ve dabbled in the Rallycross series in iRacing, but held back a little purely because I haven’t been able to invest in a sim rig set-up which includes a decent handbrake. But having spent most of my childhood watching rallycross at Brands Hatch (and Lydden Hill) during the 1980s and 1990s, I couldn’t have been more excited about a new circuit coming to iRacing.
But then sadness, as it turns out the iRacing Rallycross tracks have combined elements of the real layouts used at both venues, with new sections design and built by the iRacing team.
I have the greatest respect for the iRacing team, and I’m supportive of them bringing the concept Dallara iR-01 to the sim for various reasons. And I realise they can’t scan a circuit which hasn’t existed for a while, particularly during a pandemic.
But the Brands Hatch Rallycross track was the home to the end of season British Rallycross Grand Prix, and some of the most epic showdowns between British and European Rallycross stars. Particularly when Group B rally cars arrived in 1987, and which remain some of the best Rallycross races ever held.
Not only did it play host to drivers including Martin Schanche, Will Gollopp, John Welch, Kenneth Hansen, my childhood favourite Dimi Mavropoulos (mainly because he drove a big black Audi quattro) and more. The track was also designed by four-time British champion Trevor Hopkins.
So while the fictional layout may be fine for modern World RX cars with a jump and gravel around Druids, I’m more than a little disappointed that they’ve ditched Langley’s Gap, the knife-edge and Hoppy’s Drop…
Just when I had started dreaming that iRacing might add a Metro 6R4, Ford RS200 and Audi quattro for some classic Rallycross action.
I’m not as familiar with Charlotte, so I’m sure American Rallycross fans will have more educated views about the iRacing version.
iRacing adds Brands Hatch and Charlotte Rallycross tracks as part of the forthcoming 2021 Season 1 Build, so you can make up your own mind soon, and they’re likely to cost $14.95 each.
You can sign up to iRacing, here (and credit your referral to ORD, which we’d appreciate!). And see all the free, and the paid, vehicles available in our full official iRacing car list, here, or check out all of the included circuits, and the others you can buy, in our full official iRacing track list, here.
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