Yeah, ok - it's probably been brought up a dozen times before but... Last autumn, I spotted Assetto Corsa and Rfactor 2 being sold ridiculously cheap on Steam and bought them both. It's been an interesting comparison with BeamNG. I actually play them more than BeamNG now. Why? Racing. Racing is fun. The frustration is that BeamNG's physics model, particularly over the last few updates, has become increasingly amazing. The cars in BeamNG, even through my little DFGT, now drive really beautifully - the depth, nuance, subtlety and realism of the driving physics really is extraordinary now, and the latest update has improved it even further. By comparison, Assetto Corsa may as well be Outrun, and even RFactor 2, while substantially better than AC, also pales in comparison with BeamNG. While RF2's physics model is good enough there are still times, particularly during car-to-car contact, when the deficiencies in the physics model are glaringly obvious and I long to be able to race in BeamNG rather than in these weaker physics models. And yet there's virtually no racing in BeamNG. It'd be great if each of those Time Trial layouts, or Light Runner too, plus the circuits, off-road circuits etc. within each map could be raced on, in a properly organised way, with timing, standing starts, etc. Perhaps it could be against only 2 or 6 competitors, in deference to the demands of the physics engine. BeamNG's a fantastic piece of software, and an amazing driving simulator, but it still feels like a physics engine in search of a purpose. It'd probably hugely broaden BeamNG's appeal if there was simply an option to go for a race. It'd be epic! Please add racing!
If you're talking about local racing, there are time trials for solo hotlapping, and situations (or whatever they're called) that lets you race against AI. If you're talking about online racing, the closest we have to that is the BeamMP mod. which can be downloaded through their discord server.
Well, it is early access/in alpha. Career mode is still in early development according to recent comments. Of course we will get racing some day, it would be difficult to have career mode races without it. For the time being, there are both official and modded scenarios/campaigns that let you race against AI, but you'll quickly see why we don't have more racing. Even on the Hirochi figure 8 they feel clumsy, and even on drag racing they need a fair car advantage to be competitive. As the AI gets better I'm sure we will gradually see more racing stuffs implemented, but with the current AI the only fun to be had is usually just bullying them. I personally would prefer to see options for AI racing even with their derpy nature, but that would probably lead to a lot of complaints from people who expect things to be finished at their release.
The only scenario I could find that offers something close to a multi-car race around a circuit is the 'asphalt derby race', which does serve to highlight the limitations of the current AI! Also, it's a rather poor racing opportunity - you're limited to a car that's set up not to handle, around a very short, slow and simple circuit. I agree that there should be more opportunities to race against the AI, even with the AI's limitations. Something like the Asphalt Derby Race, except you can choose your cars, opponents and circuit! Plus, get rid of the checkpoint waymarkers, which make it kinda hard to see your apex... I honestly think it should be a major part of the game. You mention AI on Hirochi, is it possible to do that in a race format? Or do you just switch on traffic, which I thought just generates randomly moving vehicles on the map? I did see the preview of career mode from a few months back, which just seemed a slightly childish, narrative-type affair. I think it got shelved to be redeveloped, but if it's anything like the preview it won't offer much in the way of proper racing.
For official scenarios: -"Field Run" is a follow the leader sorta "race" on Italy -"Mountain Race" is a 1 v 1 on WCUSA roads -There's an "Airfield showdown" scenario which is a drag race on the JRI airfield -WCUSA has drag racing in freeroam at the drag strip -The campaign "A Rocky Start" has three races For the scenarios, you can always change your car if you have "competative scenarios" disabled in the options. I mentioned the Hirochi Raceway figure 8 race. Thats from this mod. It adds racing on Hirochi oval and the Derby Arena track. https://www.beamng.com/resources/hirochi-figure-8-races.9689/ As for career mode, I'm not sure which preview you are refering to, I'm not aware of any recent statements other than reminders that it is early WIP. Statements/videos from 2012-2014 all suggest a career mode similar to in Street Legal Racing Redline but with more event variety. If you're not familiar with that game, it's an open world racing game where you buy & customize a car, race it in various sorts of events, and have police chases.
