The unexpected launch of Assetto Corsa Rally has brought a long-standing issue back into my focus: the massive opportunity iRacing missed to dominate the virtual rally scene.
The Mount Washington Milestone (2021)
Almost five years ago, in August 2021, iRacing reached a milestone by releasing the Mount Washington hillclimb stage. For the first time, Rallycross (RX) cars could unleash their full potential on a stage much faster and longer than traditional RX tracks. The sim racing community expected this to be the beginning of iRacing’s expansion into point-to-point rally events.
For a moment, it seemed like the start of something big: epic stages from global locations and a growing selection of rally cars, all unlockable in Rallycross mode with new online challenges. The hope was for a fully-fledged rally discipline, with unique challenges and robust servers.
With all the resources in Massachusetts, many dreamed of greatness. But soon it was clear Mount Washington would remain a one-hit wonder—leaving fans hungry for more.
The Instability of Official WRC Games
Why is rally gaming such a volatile market? Real-world rallying suffers from constant instability, with manufacturers entering and exiting the sport, and regulations changing to test new efficiencies. In the virtual counterpart, licensing is just as chaotic. The official WRC licenses bounce between studios—from Sony, BigBen to Nacon, to Codemasters, and now back to a struggling Nacon.
Because of this, independent or unofficial developments consistently outperform official WRC titles. Games like Colin McRae Rally, Richard Burns Rally, Dirt Rally, and now Assetto Corsa Rally omit any WRC connection. Instead, they focus purely on the core essence of time-trial competition on public roads.
What iRacing Left on the Table
Back in 2021, iRacing had the perfect foundation:
- Experience in laser-scanning public roads.
- Established contacts with manufacturers for classic and modern car licenses.
- Advanced know-how in gravel and loose-surface physics.
- A robust online infrastructure ready for weekly hillclimb championships.
Despite this, development stalled. Whether due to a lack of staff, low ambition, or concerns over Return on Investment (ROI), iRacing abandoned the concept. We never got to experience even a minimal 12-week season featuring 3-4 bi-directional stages, nor did we see if this discipline could attract a new demographic to the simulator.
Assetto Corsa Rally: A Passion-Driven Success
Meanwhile, Assetto Corsa Rally is succeeding where others failed. By setting realistic expectations and delivering consistently, they are building a highly dedicated user base. The game offers immense depth despite its currently limited content, reinventing itself with every update. It clearly benefits from the agility and passion of a small indie studio where corporate bureaucracy doesn’t stifle creativity. My dream list is:
- Laser-scanned rally stages (check)
- Iconic international locations (check)
- Dynamic weather and changing conditions (WIP)
- Stages that remember the dirt state for each competitor
- Lobbies for individual stages and complete rally events
- Weekly community challenges
- A full roster of legendary rally cars (WIP)
- Progression tiers and learning categories (WIP)
These are just a few of the features on every rally fan’s wish list. The hope is for a unified, modern, and complete experience.
The Future
While iRacing could theoretically attack this market at any time, their development notes show no signs of it. They remain entirely focused on expanding the complexity of their existing disciplines. For now, the definitive virtual rally experience could come from Italy, delivered in small, highly curated updates by developers who are true fans of the sport.
Until then, most players stick with the deeply modded Richard Burns Rally, while Dirt Rally 2.0 stands as the only true alternative to the classic king of rally sims.
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