Rallycross cars and tracks have featured in Automobilista 2 for over a year and a half, and with version 1.6 now out, we wanted to give the discipline another try.
Combining the driving skill required for rallying's mixed surfaces and the racecraft of closed circuit racing, Rallycross racing or RX is a thrilling yet niche discipline in motorsport. Seeing iconic battles ensue throughout its history, the form of racing's World Championship, the WRX is dwindling relative to other series.
But that does not mean sim racing has forgotten about it with a great collection of games showing this unique style of competitive off in its best light. Among the games best at representing Rallycross (others being iRacing and DiRT Rally 2.0 - additionally, don't forget Project CARS 2) is Automobilista 2. Alongside its version 1.5 update in July of 2023, AMS2 also received a Rallycross content dump as part of the Adrenaline Pack Pt 1.
Four cars and seven tracks make up the AMS2 Rallycross Content list. Image: Reiza Studios
Now over a year and a half and a whole game-changing update after its release, we thought it would be the perfect time to give this unique racing bundle a go. So here is what Rallycross is like in AMS2 Version 1.6.
At seven venues, the track list is long enough for a short championship. These are a mix of unique layouts of existing Grand Prix circuits in the game, typically used by the FIA World Rallycross Championship and a pair of dedicated, but fictional tracks.
Typically shortened versions of Grand Prix circuits, these Rallycross-specific layouts often feature rapid sequences of incredibly tight turns and very few straight sections.
There is lots of fun to be had in Automobilista 2 Rallycross. Image: Reiza Studios
Moreover, the Force Feedback in these off-road runners feels nice and strong, pulling the wheel around depending on which wheel has the most grip at any one time, though this can lead to the odd snap and thumb scare. But overall, these cars are incredibly fun to drive.
Visually, following other cars from tarmac sections onto the dirt is thrilling with dust suddenly kicking up in front of you leaving little to no visibility. So you had better know where you are going. Meanwhile, the audio comes together for an epic experience, although the game does miss the raw nature of gravel hitting the body. But who could be mad at that when turbo flutters can put such a wide smile on any face?
AMS2 AI is the only downside to rallycross. Image: Reiza Studios
Famously, rallycross is one of the few forms of motorsport in which contact is not outlawed. In real life, feel free to bump your opponent as much as you want. But that only works well when all cars abide by the same laws of physics.
Automobilista 2 AI does not abide by the player's physics and so when it pays little to no regard for the player's car and gives it a nice big whack, that often leads to spins and pile-ups. The top of Spa's Radaillion as the track turns back on itself was a key breeding ground for such situations when testing.
Such contact was most frequent in these tighter corners in which the AI's physics model allows them to rotate quickly and get on the power. The player on the other hand must slow down far more on the way into a corner whilst a pull of the handbrake will lead to a lot of wheelspin on the way out. Unable to control its entry into a turn blocked by the slower player, the AI will often plough into you causing a major incident.
Beware of AI pileups in Turn 1 at Spa. Image: Reiza Studios
This different physics model also leads to a break in immersion as your opponents' cars will rotate on a dime seemingly changing direction like a Formula One car. Without incredibly complex wings, this does not appear realistic to us.
It is not all doom and gloom however as, provided you retain enough speed on the way in to each corner and manage to get on the power quickly enough, you should be able to have a fun AI race. Either way, these cars are immensely fun to drive, making for a totally different challenge to your typical GT3 race at Monza.
Even better, grab a few friends and race these cars online - no AI problems to put up with that way.
These are all-wheel drive brutes with impressive power figures, an incredibly soft suspension setup and additional tools at your disposal. Off the line, these monsters use Launch Control to optimise traction and turbo pressure for the best launch. But make sure your hands keep up with the speed as upshifts come thick and fast - especially when you're using a sequential shifter for optimal realism.
Thanks to their floating suspension setup designed to absorb impacts from jumps, they rotate very easily on the brakes at speed. But once you get the car slowed down, there are few ways of avoiding the dramatic understeer, something you will want to do to avoid the aforementioned forceful AI.
Square off your exits in Automobilista 2 Rallycross. Image: Reiza Studios
In fact, squaring off each turn and making the most of Rallycross cars' power is the fastest way to drive. Short-shifting will also reduce the amount of wheelspin translating to greater forward momentum.
Learn the AMS2 Rallycross tracks before taking the wrong turn. Image: Reiza Studios
Indeed, you will often find yourself on a circuit you know aiming for the next apex only to realise that the RX layout actually ventures off into the scenery. Miss that turn and get onto the grass and for some reason, these all-wheel drive rally cars get zero grip on the green stuff compared to the dirt circuit resulting in massive time loss.
Running with additional walls removing the sense of familiarity, Spa and Nürburgring RX layouts suffer less from this trickery. But Hockenheim in particular on the way out of the Sachs-Kurve seriously plays with your head.
Have you tried Rallycross racing in AMS2? What do you make of it? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our Automobilista 2 forums!
Combining the driving skill required for rallying's mixed surfaces and the racecraft of closed circuit racing, Rallycross racing or RX is a thrilling yet niche discipline in motorsport. Seeing iconic battles ensue throughout its history, the form of racing's World Championship, the WRX is dwindling relative to other series.
But that does not mean sim racing has forgotten about it with a great collection of games showing this unique style of competitive off in its best light. Among the games best at representing Rallycross (others being iRacing and DiRT Rally 2.0 - additionally, don't forget Project CARS 2) is Automobilista 2. Alongside its version 1.5 update in July of 2023, AMS2 also received a Rallycross content dump as part of the Adrenaline Pack Pt 1.
Four cars and seven tracks make up the AMS2 Rallycross Content list. Image: Reiza Studios
Now over a year and a half and a whole game-changing update after its release, we thought it would be the perfect time to give this unique racing bundle a go. So here is what Rallycross is like in AMS2 Version 1.6.
AMS2 Rallycross Cars and Tracks
Named the Adrenaline Pack Pt.1, you might assume that a part 2 with more cars and tracks will be on its way. Alas, in its current state, Automobilista 2 Rallycross content limits itself to four cars and seven tracks. Though two more cars are available as a bonus in the form of the Kartcross and Formula Dirt, not fitting the same category. The four RX models in AMS2 are:- Citroën DS3 RX
- Mini Countryman RX
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evo10 RX
- Volkswagen Polo RX
At seven venues, the track list is long enough for a short championship. These are a mix of unique layouts of existing Grand Prix circuits in the game, typically used by the FIA World Rallycross Championship and a pair of dedicated, but fictional tracks.
- Ascurra
- Barcelona
- Foz
- Hockenheim
- Nürburgring
- Spa-Francorchamps
- Tykki
Typically shortened versions of Grand Prix circuits, these Rallycross-specific layouts often feature rapid sequences of incredibly tight turns and very few straight sections.
Rallycross in Automobilista 2 v1.6
With circuit racing very much improved upon with version 1.6, that also appears to be the case with rallycross racing in Automobilista 2. Much like the more traditional form of racing, RX gets several tweaks to the physics making for a trickier experience providing a better sense of satisfaction for taming the cars.There is lots of fun to be had in Automobilista 2 Rallycross. Image: Reiza Studios
Moreover, the Force Feedback in these off-road runners feels nice and strong, pulling the wheel around depending on which wheel has the most grip at any one time, though this can lead to the odd snap and thumb scare. But overall, these cars are incredibly fun to drive.
Visually, following other cars from tarmac sections onto the dirt is thrilling with dust suddenly kicking up in front of you leaving little to no visibility. So you had better know where you are going. Meanwhile, the audio comes together for an epic experience, although the game does miss the raw nature of gravel hitting the body. But who could be mad at that when turbo flutters can put such a wide smile on any face?
Rallycross AI in AMS2
There is however a key issue with rallycross in AMS2, and that would be the AI. Time-wise, they are absolutely competitive, to the point of thrashing the player on their typical difficulty level - expect to drop the difficulty by a good 5-10%. But when it gets to wheel-to-wheel racing, the experience does come undone somewhat.AMS2 AI is the only downside to rallycross. Image: Reiza Studios
Famously, rallycross is one of the few forms of motorsport in which contact is not outlawed. In real life, feel free to bump your opponent as much as you want. But that only works well when all cars abide by the same laws of physics.
Automobilista 2 AI does not abide by the player's physics and so when it pays little to no regard for the player's car and gives it a nice big whack, that often leads to spins and pile-ups. The top of Spa's Radaillion as the track turns back on itself was a key breeding ground for such situations when testing.
Such contact was most frequent in these tighter corners in which the AI's physics model allows them to rotate quickly and get on the power. The player on the other hand must slow down far more on the way into a corner whilst a pull of the handbrake will lead to a lot of wheelspin on the way out. Unable to control its entry into a turn blocked by the slower player, the AI will often plough into you causing a major incident.
Beware of AI pileups in Turn 1 at Spa. Image: Reiza Studios
This different physics model also leads to a break in immersion as your opponents' cars will rotate on a dime seemingly changing direction like a Formula One car. Without incredibly complex wings, this does not appear realistic to us.
It is not all doom and gloom however as, provided you retain enough speed on the way in to each corner and manage to get on the power quickly enough, you should be able to have a fun AI race. Either way, these cars are immensely fun to drive, making for a totally different challenge to your typical GT3 race at Monza.
Even better, grab a few friends and race these cars online - no AI problems to put up with that way.
How to Drive AMS2 Rallycross Cars
Taking on a variety of surfaces in a single lap with tracks comprising of tight turns and short straights, rallycross racing is very different from your traditional circuit motorsport. As a result, the cars built for the sport are unique and so taming them to go fast requires a different set of skills.These are all-wheel drive brutes with impressive power figures, an incredibly soft suspension setup and additional tools at your disposal. Off the line, these monsters use Launch Control to optimise traction and turbo pressure for the best launch. But make sure your hands keep up with the speed as upshifts come thick and fast - especially when you're using a sequential shifter for optimal realism.
Thanks to their floating suspension setup designed to absorb impacts from jumps, they rotate very easily on the brakes at speed. But once you get the car slowed down, there are few ways of avoiding the dramatic understeer, something you will want to do to avoid the aforementioned forceful AI.
Bind a Handbrake
Pretty much the only way of getting the car rotated in slower corners is to grab the handbrake, locking the rear tyres and allowing you to power out of the corner. In fact, you might find yourself utilising the E-brake on most turns as it enables you to get the car turned in, square off the corner and power out.Square off your exits in Automobilista 2 Rallycross. Image: Reiza Studios
In fact, squaring off each turn and making the most of Rallycross cars' power is the fastest way to drive. Short-shifting will also reduce the amount of wheelspin translating to greater forward momentum.
Learn the Tracks
As mentioned above, Rallycross circuits are a far cry from any other discipline with their short burst, sequences of slow and tight turns and frequent bumps to hit in the perfect way. As such, and this might sound like a silly thing to point out, learning each layout is crucial to having a good time in Automobilista 2's Rallycross.Learn the AMS2 Rallycross tracks before taking the wrong turn. Image: Reiza Studios
Indeed, you will often find yourself on a circuit you know aiming for the next apex only to realise that the RX layout actually ventures off into the scenery. Miss that turn and get onto the grass and for some reason, these all-wheel drive rally cars get zero grip on the green stuff compared to the dirt circuit resulting in massive time loss.
Running with additional walls removing the sense of familiarity, Spa and Nürburgring RX layouts suffer less from this trickery. But Hockenheim in particular on the way out of the Sachs-Kurve seriously plays with your head.
Have you tried Rallycross racing in AMS2? What do you make of it? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our Automobilista 2 forums!
