Famed racing physics mastermind Niels Heusinkveld posted an attention-grabbing Discuss & Drive video, discussing the Crew Chief GTR2 Enhancements Plugin by Iron Wolf, and its new physics-based pressure suggestions.
The 2006 GTR2 FIA GT Racing Recreation by Simbin grew to become probably the most in style Sim Racing titles within the early days of Sim Racing. Moreover, GTR2 quickly grew to become a extremely used modding platform, alongside rFactor.
At present, the GTR2 FIA GT Racing Recreation is offered through Steam for €3.89. So give it a attempt when you have got a while to spare.
Now, all these years later, Iron Wolf got down to bridge the hole between 2006 and the current day, permitting you to make use of a 20-year-old sim with VR headsets, direct-drive wheels, and fashionable working programs. He did so through his Crew Chief software program, primarily referred to as a spotter/race engineer utility.
Nonetheless, the precise plugin for GTR2 goes a lot additional. It acts as a modernization patch, injecting new code into the previous sport engine so as to add options that had been unimaginable when the sport was launched.
In the course of the Christmas holidays, Niels Heusinkveld had some enjoyable, serving to Iron Wolf enhance the physics-based pressure suggestions for the previous GTR2 racing simulator, and now runs a couple of laps showcasing the improved really feel and dealing with utilizing the plugin.
For all of the Sim Racing nerds on the market, Niels additionally explains in-depth how this Iron Wolf collaboration makes use of tire and longitudinal pressure information to enhance the in-game expertise. The Heusinkveld necessary spreadsheet and in-game settings are proven, detailing the method of tweaking parameters for optimum really feel.
Key capabilities:
1. Native VR Help
That is the “killer characteristic” of the plugin. It provides native Digital Actuality assist to a DirectX 9 sport from 2006.
- The way it works: It isn’t only a wrapper; it injects into the rendering pipeline to offer true 6DOF (six levels of freedom) head monitoring.
- Efficiency: It’s recognized for working extremely easily on fashionable GPUs as a result of the bottom sport is just not resource-intensive, permitting for top supersampling and body charges.
2. Core Technical Modernization
The plugin fixes most of the stability points that plague GTR2 on Home windows 10 and 11.
- Graphics & Stability: It fixes display flickering, improves windowed mode habits (borderless windowed), and addresses the “black street/lacking textures” bugs typically brought on by fashionable reminiscence dealing with.
- Multi-threading: It offloads sure duties to totally different CPU cores, considerably smoothing out body timing and lowering stutter.
- UI Enhancements: It permits for higher integration with fashionable overlays (like SimHub) with out inflicting the sport to crash or flicker.
3. Physics and Power Suggestions (FFB)
The plugin exposes extra telemetry information than the unique sport allowed, enabling:
- Flat Spots: You may really feel tire flat spots by means of the Power Suggestions (a characteristic GTR2 initially lacked).
- Trendy FFB: It cleans up the FFB sign, making it sharper and extra responsive for contemporary direct-drive wheels.
- Movement Rigs: It supplies higher telemetry output for movement platforms and tactile transducers (Bass Shakers).
4. The “Crew Chief” Expertise
Naturally, the plugin allows the complete suite of Crew Chief options for GTR2:
- Voice Instructions: You may speak to your crew chief to request pit stops, ask for gaps, or test tire temps.
- Dynamic Spotter: A practical spotter tells you when automobiles are alongside you (essential for VR).
- Immersion: Actual names (if configured), swearing (optionally available), and dynamic race commentary.
Methods to Get It
The plugin is definitely constructed into the usual Crew Chief utility. Obtain Crew Chief V4, and comply with the straightforward directions to get your GTR2 sport immediately modernised.
Official Webpage – heusinkveld.com – Crew Chief
About Heusinkveld
Heusinkveld Engineering is a Dutch firm that provides a broad array of services and products to the true and digital racing scene. From superior automobile simulation software program to simulator {hardware}. Sim Racers may also know the corporate’s founder, Niels Heusinkveld, as the primary physics creator for the Automobilista racing simulator by Reiza Studios.


