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The Best Assetto Corsa Mods: The 2024 Edition

F1 inspired assetto corsa mod with the Hyper P1 sim steering wheel from Gomez Sim Industries

Featured image: One of the best new Assetto Corsa Modpacks – the Formula Hybrid 2023


Assetto Corsa is the sim on which I learned how to run my first home simulator setup. The physics are excellent, which makes learning how to drive a virtual car so much easier. I’m a big fan of the platform, despite its age, and there’s a thriving community that supports it.

In fact, the community have developed a huge modding ecosystem for Assetto Corsa (AC), allowing players to enhance the sim’s graphics, add to its roster of tracks and cars, as well as enhance its functionality by way of helpful utilities and apps.

In today’s article, I’m sharing (what I think) are some of the best Assetto Corsa mods – and I’ve refined my list to the point where I’m pretty sure they’re the only mods you’ll ever need. I’ll also walk you through how to install them, both by copying the files in Windows File Explorer, or by using Content Manager. Enjoy!

Assetto Corsa mods can make your sim look beautiful
Mods for Assetto Corsa can seriously enhance your experience

As a helpful introduction to the occasionally overwhelming world of AC modding, we’re going to look at the “must-have” mods (in our humble opinion of course!) for AC and offer tips on where to find them and install them.

If, like me you’re an Assetto Corsa fan looking to enhance Assetto Corsa with mods – check out my list. From essential tools to stunning car and track additions, these are the best mods that every Assetto Corsa driver should try out:

  • Content Manager
  • Custom Shaders Pack
  • Sol
  • Pure
  • Race Essentials
  • Race Sim Studio Car Mods
  • Legends Ford ’34 Coupe
  • Targa Florio Track
  • Ginetta G55 GT3
  • DT Mods Honda NSX Type S ’22
  • VRC Mods
  • Lego Speed Champions
  • 2REAL – Daikoko Realistic Traffic Simulation
  • Protech P91 Hybrid Evo
  • Radical SR3 XXR
  • Formula Hybrid 2023
  • DRM Revival Mod
  • Helicorsa
  • VRC Tourers Pack and Tourers Pack Deux
  • LA Canyons and Pacific Coast
  • The Golden Drift Spot Project
  • Fat Alfie’s Track Mods
  • Autobacs Arta Garaiya – Super GT
  • Bridgehampton Racing Circuit
  • Assetto Corsa Ford Transit Tuning Pack

AC is a good place to learn about car setups and how to alter these to suit your driving style or gain more speed. Thanks to the sheer volume of car and track mods available, AC is also a useful tool for real-world racing drivers, offering a risk-free chance to learn a circuit ahead of an event.  Crucially, it’s also a lot of fun, with its superlative, Kunos Simulazioni-developed physics engine making it incredibly easy to learn sim racing in an enjoyable fashion.

This software is why I bought a simulator in the first place. Assetto’s coverage of UK circuits is excellent – it even features Cadwell Park, which I suspect a lot of people outside of the UK haven’t heard of. Think of it as a much smaller Nordschleife, just, in Lincolnshire in the UK. For any circuit that you want that doesn’t come with the default installation, you can bet there’ll be a mod for it.

Cadwell Park in Assetto Corsa
Cadwell Park in Assetto Corsa

Do mods exist for Assetto Corsa Competizione or just Assetto Corsa?

Assetto Corsa and Assetto Corsa Competizione have their differences and today we’re going to focus purely on Assetto Corsa, which allows mods, whereas Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) does not. This is why, for example, the sim drifting community prefers Assetto Corsa. There are so many drift mods it’s amazing, although it’s always best to go with pre-vetted recommendations to ensure the quality is high and there are no potential security issues with the downloads (we’ve described the incredible ‘Golden Drift Spot Project’ as an example below).

Assetto Corsa mods take the shape of apps, weather, tracks, and cars. You can add a little-known drifting circuit from somewhere in Japan, race tractors or a double-decker bus, or even find a livery (skin) that you really like.

You can even race Lego cars and play with all sorts of settings to bring racing software first launched in 2014 up to a 2024 level.

Assetto Corsa running CSP and Sol
Assetto Corsa running CSP and Sol – the advanced shaders are a gamechanger for Assetto Corsa

How to Install Assetto Corsa Mods

When you want to install a mod, you have two options. You can install and use Content Manager or, manually drag and drop the files into the Assetto Corsa /Content folder using Windows File Manager.

Let’s take a closer look at each method.

Drag and Drop Mods to the /Content Folder

It’s important to understand where mod files should be saved if you’re going to install mods manually.

Find the Assetto Corsa root directory. It’s located in a folder at:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\​assettocorsa\content

The directory location for cars in Assetto Corsa's folder structure
The directory location for cars in Assetto Corsa’s folder structure. The main directory is located at: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\​assettocorsa\content

Inside the Assetto Corsa content folder, there are separate subfolders relevant to where you’ll save the mod files. If you’ve downloaded a track mod, you’ll save it in the tracks subfolder. There’s a sub-folder for each type of mod: for cars, drivers, weather, and so on.

Download the mod from its source, unzip the file and save the contents to the correct folder. The mod always comes with installation instructions.

It’s worth pointing out that you should close Assetto Corsa while you’re adding mods. This is because Assetto Corsa will detect a new mod when you first start the game.

There is always an easier way, of course. That easier way is Assetto Corsa Content Manager.

2) Assetto Corsa Content Manager

Assetto Corsa Content Manager is a community-made Assetto Corsa launcher that updates the existing Assetto Corsa UI to make the software easier to modify.

Content Manager improves the layout of the UI making it more intuitive, and easily adds updated features to the overall graphics package. This includes new cars, new tracks, and improved sounds. Content Manager helps keep Assetto Corsa up-to-date and allows you to install mods with a few clicks of a mouse button.

You can download and install Assetto Corsa Content Manager directly from the downloads section of the assettocorsa.club website.

Assetto Corsa Content Manager

Assetto Corsa Content Manager gives you a list of useful new features and improves a lot of the existing stuff including:

  • Management for cars, car skins, showrooms, fonts, weather, and other types of content
  • Repair tool for obsolete car mods or mods with common errors
  • Flexible filters
  • Car setups, Quick Drive, control presets and replay sharing
  • Content installation, built-in web browser to find and quickly install new mods
  • Car previews updating, using either Custom Showroom or AC Showroom
  • Livery editor
  • Weather editor

Once Content Manager is up and running you can install mods either by dragging and dropping a downloaded zip file onto its UI or directly from the assettocorsa.club website.

austin mini cooper mod assetto corsa
Use the install button to automatically install a mod on the assettocorsa.club website

Assetto Corsa Content Manager couldn’t make it easier to start modifying and improving Assetto Corsa – it’s brilliant for beginners but convenient for veterans too – a must-have for anyone’s Assetto Corsa setup.

And I mean, it’s a must-have – check out how tyre smoke is moved by passing cars thanks to the way particles are rendered by the Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) and Sol, which we’ll be looking at in just a moment:

Look at how well the smoke is rendered: Assetto Corsa Mods: Custom Shaders Pack and Sol

Want to learn how to mod Assetto Corsa to make it look and sound even better? Let’s do some mod installations!

How to install Assetto Corsa Content Manager

To install Content Manager for Assetto Corsa, follow those few steps, Firstly, download Content Manager from the website:

Download Assetto Corsa Content Manager
Download Assetto Corsa Content Manager at this link: https://assettocorsa.club/content-manager.html

Then, open the downloaded archive and move the file “Content Manager.exe” to the AC root folder:

Drop "Content Manager.exe" in the Assetto root directory
Drop “Content Manager.exe” in the Assetto root directory

Then open the AC root folder at: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\​assettocorsa\content. Rename the file “AssettoCorsa.exe” to something different like “_AssettoCorsa.exe” or “AssettoCorsa_old.exe”.

Finally, rename the file “Content Manager.exe” to “AssettoCorsa.exe”.

CM is now the default executable launcher for Assetto Corsa. When you open Assetto Corsa, you’ll be running the enhanced Content Manager version.

You’ll also need Assetto Corsa Content Manager to install the CSP for Assetto Corsa and the Sol Mod for Assetto Corsa. What are those? Read on.

Custom Shaders Pack for Assetto Corsa on PC

The Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) is a collection of modules that gives Assetto Corsa many new features. The “weatherFX” module is like a graphics SDK (software development kit) that gives AC a whole new look and advanced capabilities such as a day/night cycle, 3D clouds, and enhanced lighting. The Custom Shaders Patch is also needed for Sol.

To install the Custom Shaders Patch for Assetto Corsa on a PC, download the CSP zip file from here, and drag and drop the zip file into the Content Manager window.

installing csp for assetto corsa
Drag the CSP zip file into the Content Manager window

Next, open the “install” menu and Install CSP which should appear at the bottom of the dropdown menu like this:

Install CSP
Install CSP

If you intend to install Sol, you’ll need the latest recommended version of CSP. If you’ve installed an earlier version, go to settings > CUSTOM SHADERS PATCH > Select the “ABOUT & UPDATES” tab and choose whichever is the current recommended version.

How to check for the latest version of the Custom Shaders Pack mod for Assetto Corsa
How to check for the latest version of the Custom Shaders Pack mod for Assetto Corsa

Sol Mod for Assetto Corsa

Sol is the graphics mod to get for Assetto Corsa. It adds an incredibly enhanced graphical experience, better cloud and sky rendering, wet circuits, night-time running and so on.

incredibly photorealistic Mclaren P1 using ACC style + SOL + RESHADE mods in Assetto Corsa
Real or simulated? Immersive Filter – ACC style + SOL + RESHADE [Photorealism] v13 (source)

How to install the Sol mod for Assetto Corsa

To install Sol, download the zip file from RaceDepartment here. You need to be logged in and a download button will appear on the top right of the screen.

Sol current version now 2.2.8 – download link highlighted

To install the patch, you’ll need 7-Zip to unpack the zip file (not sure why they use 7-Zip but no worries).

Open the Sol zipped file, then, in the zip, go into the folder /MODS and then /Sol 2.2.x.

Copy the folders: apps, content, extension, and system into your Assetto Corsa root folder. Confirm to overwrite existing files:

Copy these folders: apps, content, extension and system and drop them into the AC root directory
Copy these folders: apps, content, extension and system, drop them into the AC root directory

To activate the Sol apps, just go to the “Ingame App” settings inside Content Manager by navigating “SETTINGS” > “ASSETTO CORSA” > “APPS”

How to activate Sol in Content Manager
How to activate Sol in Content Manager (use the arrows highlighting for navigation and tickboxes for activation)


Getting started with the Sol mod

When you’ve completed the Sol installation process detailed above, you’ll find a lot of new track and weather options become available inside Assetto Corsa Content Manager.

Sol adds weather options in Assetto Corsa
Weather options – note “Sol” has appeared in the weather drop dropdown

For more on Sol 2.2, there’s an excellent, detailed video on Sol 2.2 which I recommend you watch here:

Assetto Corsa Mod Sol 2.2 Install Step-by-Step and Walkthrough Guide Including PURE

Pure Mod

Assetto Corsa CM+CSP+SOL+PURE 24h in one round of Spa

Currently in development, at v0.180, Pure is the spiritual successor to the Sol Mod, created by Peter Boese – seen earlier in the list. This is the next step of his weather and graphics system called “Pure”. Pure addresses many of the problems associated with Sol.

While Pure is still a development version, it has over 10,000 backers on Patreon and is definitely a mod to watch as it gets closer to a full-release version.

Race Essentials

While Race Essentials is no longer being updated, it’s still available if you can get into this page on the Assetto Forum at racedepartment: http://www.assettocorsa.net/forum/index.php?threads/raceessentials-v1-4-6.41103/ – failing this, here is a working download for the last version of Race Essentials:

Race Essentials – no longer supported but maintains a huge following

Race Essentials replaces the dashboard in the standard AC setup. It has a lot of features, in fact, it basically shows you everything you need to know about the car in one place.

Race Sim Studio

Race Sim Studio produces some stunning car mods for Assetto Corsa:

Race Sim Studio cars – there are many more on their website

When you buy the car mods, they arrive via a download link contained in an email so be sure to download the zips and save them somewhere in case you re-install Assetto Corsa. Race Sim Studio recommends using Content Manager for Assetto Corsa to install their mods which, is the same drag and drop then install process that we outlined while discussing the Custom Shader Pack. You can install them manually, too – by copying over the “Content” directory in the supplied zip to the AC root, like this:

How to install a Race Sim Studio mod for Assetto Corsa via Race Sim Studio

Legends Ford ’34 coupe

One of the most popular and driveable car mods for Assetto Corsa is the Legends series Ford ’34 Coupe:

Legends Ford ’34 coupe – download here

This is the Legends race car mod actually built using real-life Legends data by a real-life Legends mechanic with real racing experience. So, pretty definitive stuff! This free mod includes over 60 real-life skins from the Finnish series from 2014 – 2018. The mod has a very popular following, and as the reviews say, it’s a great fun one-make race car. It’s great as an entry-level machine for those new to oval racing in spite of AC’s limitations for running such a race type.

Targa Florio from SimxxMasters

A great and very historically well-known challenge, the Targa Florio has run since the 50’s and still runs today. This track mod is free and gives you the opportunity to tread in the footsteps of greats such as Sir Stirling Moss!

Targa Florio from SimxxMasters (download)

Ginetta G55 GT3

I’ve driven one of these at Donington Park in the UK. Ginetta has several dominant racing models in GT3, GT4, and a junior class (called Ginetta Juniors). The G55 is mighty, huge, and intimidating but very light on its feet and a joy to drive. A proper endurance racer that has stood the test of time. And, thanks to Shaun Clarke, it’s available as an Assetto Corsa mod too:

Ginetta G55 GT3 for Assetto Corsa by Shaun Clarke
Ginetta G55 GT3 for Assetto Corsa by Shaun Clarke

Check out all of his cars including a Radical SR3 rs and a Seat Cupra. Very cool.

VRC Modding Team

If you’re still looking for the perfect car mod, take a look at this collection from the VRC Modding Team.

VRC Modding Team collection is available here

The prototype “Revenge” really stands out as an awesome LMP1 style prototype mod – much fun can be had with this beauty:

Revenga

The Revenga R13 is a sports prototype racing car built by French constructor Oracle on behalf of Swiss-based team Revenga Racing. It is a variation of Oracle 07, created to compete in the LMP1 class. It would later be renamed by Alpino to Alpino 480 when it was rebadged to run grandfathered into the Hypercar class in 2021.

Lego Speed Champions Raceway

Developed by Tyrone, you can find this mod on Racedepartment by following this link. Probably one of the craziest, but most fun mods for Assetto Corsa, this adds a new circuit to AC that, as you can see in the pictures, turns the simulated environment into Lego City!

LEGO Racers! // Audi Quattro vs Hot Rod // Assetto Corsa

As you’ll see you can race “standard” cars or carry on modding and add a Lego Audi Quattro and the Lego Hot Rod. Brilliant.

DT Mods Presents Honda NSX Type S ’22

This mod from DT Mods is based on the Original Honda NSX (NC1) Mod developed by BLACK BOLT, han zhao and Jerry Wei. It’s free and unencrypted and is available from Denny’s Patreon for free (although donate if you can!).

Honda NSX Type S (NC1) 2023 - DT Mods
Honda NSX Type S (NC1) 2023 – DT Mods

According to the OP, the aero parameter on the free download is slightly wrong, making the car launch itself into the sky when going through Quiddelbacher Höhe and Schwedenkreuz. Because of that, Denny has edited the car’s aero.ini to fit all the aerodynamic surfaces to the 3D model’s correct position, angle and size.

You can download the edited “data.acd” file with adjusted aero on Google Drive here.

2REAL – Daikoko Realistic Traffic Simulation

Have you seen the Assetto Corsa videos where the driver appears to be driving alongside ordinary (and sometimes very heavy) road traffic? That is an Assetto Corsa Mod called 2REAL.

2REAL traffic mods for Assetto Corsa are considered the most realistic traffic mods for AC, with the potential for up to 1000 cars in different speed zones, and behaviours such as cars stopping at intersections and traffic lights.

2REAL Traffic Mod for Daikoku – Assetto Corsa

Obviously, the action can get as intense or easy as you’d like – 2REAL’s developers recommend a maximum or around 420 cars.

Installation isn’t quite as simple as the usual mods, however, there are plenty of instructions and instructional videos available to watch.

To install 2REAL traffic mod in Assetto Corsa:

Firstly, you need to activate the Traffic Planner Tool. You only have to do this once, so if it’s already installed on your sim racing PC, you’re good and you can skip this section. If you haven’t installed the Traffic Planner Tool, download the files from the first download link on this page:

2REAL installation readme file
2REAL installation readme file – find here

Drop the downloaded data folder in the directory: C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\assettocorsa\extension\lua\tools\csp-traffic-tool

Traffic Planner is now activated.

Next, download the files from the second link (in the picture above), unzip traffic.json and surfaces.ini and copy them into C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\assettocorsa\content\tracks\soyo_daikoku\pa\data

You’re almost done, to get started open Assetto Corsa and access the traffic planner settings via object inspector -> tools -> traffic planner (in-game). Use the mod in practice mode.

Here’s a handy how-to-install video if you’re stuck with 2Real:

(Tutorial) How To Install 2REAL Traffic Simulation Mod – Assetto Corsa

Protech P91 Hybrid Evo

The Protech P91 Hybrid Evo for Assetto Corsa might look a little familiar as the mod version of Porsche’s 919 Hybrid Evo (the one that broke the lap record at the Nordschleife)

The model, created by Racesimstudio, can be purchased here.

Sebring - one of my favourite circuits!
Sebring – one of my favourite circuits!


Radical SR3 XXR

United Racing Design proudly announces the release of this free Radical SR3 XXR mod for Assetto Corsa, created in partnership with Radical Motorsport. The all-new SR3 XXR retains the essence of what is the most successful prototype racing car on the planet. It’s one of my favourites (and it’s very good in rFactor2, too by the way!).

Radical SR3 XXR
Radical SR3 XXR

The SR3 XXR, which dominates the majority of the 12 Radical Cup championships globally with over 1,500 units sold, boasts an all-new engine from Radical Performance Engines (RPE). Having this mod for Assetto Corsa is very exciting indeed.

Rear view: Radical SR3 XXR
Rear view: Radical SR3 XXR

Hopefully, this is plenty for you to be getting on with, suffice it to say Assetto Corsa’s modding community is thriving, and, as the simulation platform approaches its 10th birthday, shows no sign of losing momentum.

Formula Hybrid® 2023 released

The new Formula Hybrid® 2023 stands as a testament to the exceptional craft and expertise of its creators, racesimstudio.com. This latest iteration in their line of racing marvels is not just an advancement, it’s a leap forward, integrating state-of-the-art techniques and superior graphic design to bring you what might be the pinnacle of Formula racing, F1 inspired mods.

One of the best Assetto Corsa Mods - the Formula Hybrid 2023

The design evolution of the Formula Hybrid® 2023 is a sight to behold. Embracing the challenges of new technical regulations and leveraging the advantages of time and experience, the team has introduced a layer of complexity to the bodywork that is simply dazzling. The intricacy of the ventilation design is a work of art on its own, yet it’s merely one element of this meticulously crafted racing machine. This year also marks the inclusion of the Hyper P1 steering wheel from Gomez Sim Industries. Designed with the sim racing community at the heart, it delivers a blend of performance and design that caters to every racer’s desires.

Hyper P1 sim steering wheel from Gomez Sim Industries
Hyper P1 sim steering wheel from Gomez Sim Industries

Performance-wise, the Formula Hybrid® 2023 sets a new bar. Its advanced physics engine offers a driving experience that is alarmingly realistic. Feel the raw power of the engine, the immediate response of the brakes, and the adrenaline rush as you navigate tight corners and hit maximum speeds on the straightaway. Its audio quality is equally noteworthy, offering an immersive auditory experience that makes you feel like you’re in the cockpit or amidst the roar of the crowd in the grandstands.

nose of the F1 inspired assetto corsa mod

But the Formula Hybrid® 2023 doesn’t stop at delivering a phenomenal racing experience. It also offers a range of customization and upgrade options. From modifying the nose and rear wing packages to altering the halo, windscreen, and antennas, you can tailor the car to your unique style and performance preferences.

DRM

Developed by the DRM Modding Team, this huge, historically accurate mod replicates the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft series of the ‘70s and ‘80s.

The DRM was for bonkers, overpowered silhouette racers from the likes of BMW, Ford, Lancia, Porsche and Toyota, among others, producing fantastic sights and sounds that the DRM Modding Team went to great lengths to imitate in-game.

As a result, driving a rear-engined Porsche 935 feels very different to a miniscule BMW 2002. Crucially, though, both feel just as fun to chuck around. Mind the turbo lag, though!

Although the mod first appeared in rFactor, its finest form is seen in Assetto Corsa, ably recreating a genuinely underappreciated motorsport series for historic sim racing enthusiasts to enjoy today.

Don’t forget to pick up the real names and liveries mod packs for extra immersion.

Helicorsa

As apps go, Helicorsa is exceptionally useful to the point of being near-mandatory for online racing in Assetto Corsa.

Essentially, Helicorsa gives you an enhanced radar view of your opponents, with proximity warnings indicated by orange or red flashes in its HUD. It’s a vital visual prompt that could be the difference between avoiding an incident or ending your race upside down in the barriers.

In some ways, it’s even more effective than Assetto Corsa Competizione’s Kunos-developed radar app, which shows just how good Helicorsa really is.

VRC Tourers Pack and Tourers Pack Deux

These cars caused a justifiable stir when initially released in 2023, bringing the peak era of touring car racing to PC, making many Super Touring fans extremely happy in the process.

VRC Honda

The VRC Tourers Pack gave us fictionalised versions of the Vauxhall Vectra, Honda Accord and Ford Mondeo – re-branded as the Vorax Vector, Gojira Ascent and Fortix Mondo for licencing purposes – with authentic front-wheel-drive physics and the usual high standard of VRC modelling and audio production.

As if that wasn’t enough, VRC (with help from Patrik Marek’s eponymous PM3DM modding team) then released versions of the Renault Laguna and Peugeot 406 (imaginatively re-named as the Renoir Lagoon and Pageau 46) at the end of 2023.

VRC Touring car AC mod

Combined with PM3DM’s scratch-built BMW 320, Volvo S40 and Nissan Primera period correct touring cars, VRC’s efforts account for a huge portion of the Super Touring grid, with only a few cars outstanding.

We wouldn’t be surprised if VRC completed the grid in 2024 given its prodigious output in the previous year.

LA Canyons and Pacific Coast

This pair of open-world maps almost single-handedly led to Assetto Corsa becoming the de facto choice for the casual virtual driver.

Spanning a combined 65 km of roads, LA Canyons and Pacific Coast allow simmers to drift, race or simply to just have fun with their friends in online lobbies, with Content Manager helping simplify the process of setting up AI traffic.

You’ve probably seen a few videos on social media of streamers driving on these maps (normally using a swingman camera view) extolling the virtues of the ‘game’ they’re playing, and this has contributed to Assetto Corsa’s continuing popularity a full decade after release.

However, these two maps (we can’t really call them tracks) capture the imagination thanks to the way their creator – Phoenix77 – has drawn inspiration from real West Coast USA visual cues to produce realistic and atmospheric driving locations.

Frankly, they both look beautiful and are worthy additions to any Assetto Corsa player’s circuit collection.

The Golden Drift Spot Project

This is an intriguing Assetto Corsa mod project designed for fans of drift and touge, specifically those taking inspiration from the Initial D manga series and its ‘90s roster of cars.

The Golden Drift Spot Project aims to create recognisable Japanese locations, usually deserted mountain roads, giving virtual drifters a fully authentic drifting experience – alone or with friends.

Koumori Touge 蝙蝠峠
Koumori Touge 蝙蝠峠


So far the project encompasses drift locations such as the Meihan E-Course, Osaka Nanko Kamome Futo and the Mobara Twin Circuit, among others, with more coming in future updates.

If you love drifting in Assetto Corsa then download these immediately!

Fat Alfie (various tracks)

Fat Alfie is a legendary track modder with a string of high-quality, scratch-built circuits to his name.

Focusing on historic road race-style layouts, Fat Alfie has recreated classic circuits like the Battenbergring, Feldbergring, Deutschlandring, Bremgarten and the Thomson Road Grand Prix circuit in Singapore, using up-to-date techniques and graphical flourishes to create period-correct environments which are a pleasure to drive in Assetto Corsa’s range of vintage motors.

He even used his imagination to create the completely fictional track Fonteny, dubbing it ‘The French Green Hell’ – and the moniker is justified. It’s a high-speed run through Gallic countryside interspersed with beautifully cambered turns and zero run-off. Perfection.

Check out any of his tracks at RaceDepartment, they’re all superbly crafted pieces of sim racing content.

Autobacs Arta Garaiya – Super GT

An oddity outside of Japan, the ASL Garaiya was a sports car devised by the vehicle division of Japanese automotive parts manufacturer Autobacs Seven Co.

The Garaiya was set to be a lightweight, mid-engined and rear-wheel-drive road car, which Autobacs planned to assemble in Norwich (bizarrely). Sadly, the project was canned before it could gain any traction. Alan Partridge would’ve been furious.

Autobacs Arta Garaiya

However, a racing version of the car was entered into the GT300 class of Japan’s foremost GT racing series – Super GT – by Autobacs Racing Team Aguri, with backing from erstwhile Super Aguri Formula 1 team owner Aguri Suzuki.

It’s this car that can be downloaded from Assetto World, where its supple chassis and striking looks can be enjoyed alongside several other Super GT cars and tracks.

Many petrolheads will remember it vividly from its appearance in Gran Turismo 5, with Polyphony Digital’s driving games also raising awareness of other obscure Japanese marques like Tommykaira, RE Amemiya, Mine’s and Spoon.

For added Super GT authenticity drive the Garaiya at Fuji Speedway, Autopolis or Suzuka.

Bridgehampton

Although this circuit mod is a little long in the tooth, it still represents a quality piece of Assetto Corsa modelling work.

The now-defunct Bridgehampton circuit in New York state officially opened in 1957, hosting the likes of NASCAR, Can-Am and the World Sportscar Championship.

It faded away from national focus in the ‘70s and ‘80s, however, due to more stringent noise regulations brought on by local homeowners (the bane of race circuits around the globe), eventually closing in 1999 to make way for a golf course.

In its heyday, however, the track had an undulating and challenging layout that required balls of steel to negotiate at speed, making it a distinct favourite with real-world and virtual drivers alike.

The sandy run-off areas and elevation changes are recreated beautifully by LilSki, with the sound of your car’s exhaust ululating majestically through the ‘Echo Valley’ section of the track.

It’s a spine-tingling experience, almost matched by the fear one feels when tackling the blind approach to the high-speed Hangsen Turns (especially in VR). Simply magic.

Assetto Corsa Ford Transit Tuning Pack

I think this is one of the coolest mods for the Ford Transit van.

The Ford Transit Tuning Pack mod (take a look here) for Assetto Corsa offers players the chance to get behind the wheel of two unique Ford Transit vans, each optimised for different driving styles. The pack includes a street/touge van built for twisty mountain roads and a drift van tailored for sliding sideways.

The tuned drift van packs a powerful punch, boasting 572 wheel horsepower and 872 Nm of torque. It comes equipped with a selection of tyre options from Kunos, including three different 160 TW compounds and two WDTS variants. Meanwhile, the touge street van delivers a still-impressive 439 whp and 738 Nm, paired with Kunos tyres in three 160 TW options.

Ford Transit Tuning Pack
Ford Transit Tuning Pack

Both vans feature an array of extras, such as animated lightbars, interior lighting, opening doors, a stopwatch, Android Auto integration, rain effects with wipers, and PaintShop compatibility. The street version allows you to swap between street, semi-slick and slick tyre textures. The rear interior is modelled with various details and clutter.

Players can even experience tyre blowouts if damage is enabled. With physics and CSP configs by TIResArpi, suspension animation by Gary Paterson, and parts sourced from SGM workshop, ACMP, Kunos and TIResArpi’s own work, this mod offers a feature-rich and immersive driving experience in two very different flavors of the humble Ford Transit van.

Graphics and Performance

If you’re experiencing problems with rendering: FPS drops, lagging, tearing – the worst type of graphics problems then check out our guide to optimising ACC graphics. While the article is intended for Assetto Corsa Competizione, there are best practices in our post, particularly on the Windows side that may well help everything run more smoothly.


Related posts:

The Best Assetto Corsa Mods: The 2024 Edition