Yesterday was the 104th running of the Indy 500; a race rich in history and tradition, and one of the jewels in the Triple Crown of Motorsports. It is without a doubt the flagship event of the IndyCar series, and the one they all want to win. Who's they? Pretty much a list of who's who in American open-wheel racing. Alexander Rossi, James Hinchcliffe, Marco Andretti, Fernando Alonso, Max Chilton, Marcus Ericsson, Santino Ferrucci, Takuma Sato, Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud. All of these drivers ran in the Indy 500 this year, and I think you'll agree that there are some big names in that list. So what if you want to follow in their footsteps and experience what it's like to pilot quite possibly the fastest single-seater racing car out there?
Race Sim Studios has gained a reputation as one of the top mod makers for Assetto Corsa. Their work is of a very high quality, and well worth the prices they charge. Their primary area of expertise is in open-wheelers, Formula One cars in particular, though they've also worked on Formula Two and Four cars, a next-generation 2022-spec F1 car, and a line of 2000's GT cars. One of their more recent releases is the Formula Americas 2020, which is based on this years' IndyCar racer, the Dallara IR 18.
The IR 18 is an evolution of the previous DW12 IndyCar, with all teams using the same aero-kits, and 2.2 litre turbocharged V6 engines provided by either Chevrolet or Honda. There are three specs depending on the track; the Road Course spec (what the Americans call a racing circuit) has high-downforce bodywork with multi-element wings and larger brake ducts, and the engine produces 660 horsepower, with an extra 40 horsepower available with Push-to-Pass. By contrast, the Oval spec has low-drag bodywork with single-element wings and smaller brake ducts for maximum speed on the super-speedways, and the engine is detuned to 550 horsepower. IndyCar also has a Short-Oval spec with the Road Course aero-kit, though the RSS Formula Americas omits this version. Notably, the chassis is the same across all specs with the differences being aerodynamics and turbocharger boost pressure, reducing costs for the teams.
The IndyCar is rather different to a Formula One car. The biggest difference is that there is no Drag Reduction System or Hybrid powertrain in the IndyCar, making for a relatively simple driving experience without the need to juggle these systems. Also, the bodywork is very different, particularly with the large sidepod extending right to the rear wheel, preventing wheels from locking together and causing a crash. For head protection, the IndyCar eschews the Halo used by most open-wheel cars, instead using a wrap-around windscreen called the Aeroscreen, a new addition for the 2020 season. The top speed of an IndyCar (in Oval specification) is 235 miles per hour, compared to a Formula One car which tops out at around 200 miles per hour.
Driving the RSS Formula Americas takes a lot of precision in Road Course trim. You need to be very careful with the throttle when exiting a corner, and going on the brakes too hard in the middle of the corner (particularly with a full fuel load) will cause the car to rotate without hesitation. I feel like it takes more skill to drive aggressively than Formula One cars I've driven on Assetto Corsa, though this makes it more rewarding once you get a feel for the car. Certainly, as you push harder and get the downforce working, the car really sticks to the road and allows you to carry so much speed through sweeping curves. The carousel at Road America is a good example of this, while slower tracks like Long Beach demand much more skill to avoid spinning out.
The Oval spec is used only for speedways such as Indianapolis, Texas and Iowa; of which I only have Indianapolis. Driving at Indianapolis in the Oval-spec Formula Americas, the car sticks to the tarmac even with the low-drag aero-kit, turning a lap of Indianapolis into a full-throttle affair where the only time you lift off is to go into the pits or avoid a crash. Even so, you still need a very steady hand to keep the car from running over the kerbs and unsettling the aerodynamics. Another point to note is that first gear is very long, and so standing starts can be somewhat lethargic (something that also applies to the Road Course version). In fact, all of the gears for the Oval-spec are very long, so you may want to adjust the gearing for shorter ovals.
So, should you buy the RSS Formula Americas 2020? If you're an IndyCar fan or you're looking for a different experience, I'd say it's worth a look. The car costs €3.80 (around £3.40), though RSS' reputation for quality should ease your concerns. Unlike VRC, RSS only has the 2020 car with the Aeroscreen, though you can make the central pillar transparent (like with the Halo-equipped RSS Formula cars) to improve visibility in the cockpit. As with other paymods, RSS has had to sell the car with a generic name and liveries, though the users of RaceDepartment are always on hand to provide replica liveries of the IndyCar field for those who crave authenticity. All in all, the RSS Formula Americas 2020 provides a unique challenge that gives you a lot of respect for the real IndyCar drivers, and an exhilarating experience when you nail a perfect lap. If you want to experience the fastest single-seater race car in the world, then the RSS Formula Americas is definitely one to keep in mind.
If you want to buy the Formula Americas 2020, you can do so from Race Sim Studio for the price of €3.80.
As mentioned in the review, the Formula Americas 2020 has generic liveries as standard. You can source authentic replica liveries from RaceDepartment, such as this pack of 2020 IndyCar paint schemes. As with all files from RaceDepartment, you will need an account to download.
As for the tracks used in these photos, I used Indianapolis by Legion and Mid-Ohio by Zwiss, which combines the detail of the original Terra21 conversion with NAGP's smoothed tarmac. I also used Lilski's Road America, which can be downloaded from RaceDepartment.
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