24H Nurburgring Update for ACC Will Require all the Stamina, Speed and Courage You Have

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, you can live out your dreams. You'll need a minimum of equipment: a gaming computer or console, a steering wheel, and pedals. There are plenty of titles to choose from and something to suit everyone. I've been playing racing games since 1996, going through multiple phases, starting with the Need for Speed series, Codemasters releases, F1 and MotoGP titles, and several rally sims.

Sim racing feels more real with each passing decade

These days, I'm hooked on Gran Turismo 7, as I also have access to a PS VR2 set, which gives sim racing a whole new dimension. The EA Sports WRC was quite exciting, too. But whenever I want to get serious, I always launch Assetto Corsa. I'm struggling with immersion as I only use a laptop screen. Still, for years and years, the Kunos Simulazioni-developed title has been my go-to choice for intense and lifelike racing. About a year ago, I convinced one of my close friends to try it out, and he fell in love with it.

He soon wanted to dive deeper into GT Racing, as we used to go head-to-head in old DTM cars around the Nurburgring. Once he discovered Assetto Corsa Competizione, that's everything he ever talked about. I can't tell why I have ignored this game for so long, as it has been around since 2019. The main reason might be that I always thought it couldn't be that different from Assetto Corsa.

And I always enjoy a nice diversity of cars while driving in the virtual realm. A few days ago, my buddy called me, almost hyperventilating, to tell me that the 24H Nurburgring pack is finally coming to ACC. Fans have been asking for this update for years, and Kunos Simulazioni has finally granted them their wish. With all the excitement, I decided to try the game and see what it was all about.

I first wanted to return to Assetto Corsa to regain shape after a more relaxed GT7 experience. I opted for a Ferrari 488 GT3 and lapped the 15.7 miles (25.3 km) long layout in nine minutes and 35 seconds. I was driving like a granny, not pushing myself or the car to the limit. Despite spinning out right before the small Carousel, I shaved another 24 seconds on my second lap.

The track everyone has been waiting for is here

Driving a GT3 car feels much more comfortable than a road-going vehicle: it brakes, turns, and accelerates like a dream. But I wondered if it was going to be as easy in ACC. Looking over my AC Content Manager stats, the Nordschleife has been my favorite track for years, with just over 2,485 miles (4,000 km) of driving since circa 2019. I spent about 932 miles (1,500 km) of those in the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo.

I don't remember ever attempting a lap record around the 170-corner layout. The record is just over eight minutes per lap, which is impressive. I had no expectations of even coming close to that level of speed, but I did hope I wouldn't crash too much for my first-ever ACC attempt. I opted for the AF Corse Ferrari 488 GT3, as I remembered meeting Giancarlo Fisichella a few years ago at Vallelunga in Italy. I chose a 25-minute quick race format without fiddling with the remaining settings.

The first thing I noticed is the enhanced engine sounds: it all sounds even better than Assetto Corsa, and you can hear the turbo noises more clearly. I love the rolling start sequence; driving in double file is an exciting introduction. I caused a massive crash while diving into turn one and another one within the next sixty seconds. Not only do you have to be sensible with your pedal inputs, but you also have to keep an eye out for your opponents. Within the first few minutes of playing, I realized I hadn't played a racing title more hardcore than this.

The track layout looks fantastic, and I get emotional around the Schumacher S section. My next conclusion: I never realized how bumpy the Nordschleife can be! It's a lot smoother in other games, and it's hard to tell just by watching videos on YouTube. Even going down the main straight (Dottinger-Hohe), you can feel how stiff and low the car is, and it induces some anxiety considering the high speeds on that section. And if that doesn't scare you, you should see how terrifying Tiergarten is at 155+ mph (250+ kph).

They don't call it the Green Hell for nothing

But scary is a good thing; that's what you'd expect when jumping on a rollercoaster, right? For years, I've felt video games have had trouble conveying the sense of speed to the player: it's not fun driving at 186+ mph (300 kph+) if you can't feel the speed. Haptic technology might improve the sensation soon, but the physics models in Assetto Corsa Competizione are already a big step forward for hardcore sim racing enthusiasts. As other players have mentioned, one of the best parts about the new 24H Nurburgring DLC is that you can still drive over the inside curb after the Foxhole.

I came in last for my first race, 202 seconds after a Lexus RC F GT3. I thought going on for longer periods would become tedious, but once the adrenaline starts pumping, you don't want it to stop. The photo mode is cool, and I enjoyed taking all the shots I've included in this story. I was already asking myself why I hadn't played this game sooner. Going back to the settings, I discovered the harsh truth. The damage rate was 0%, and everything was at the beginner level.

I lowered the number of opponents to 20, as my old laptop isn't up to speed. Switching to a Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R, I realized I had seen this car up close in 2023 when I attended the Nurburgring Drift Cup. I was amazed to see all the settings you can fiddle around with before starting a race, and I thought it would be a good idea to turn the heat up to 11. I sustained heavy damage on the front end just two minutes in, and there's no way you can keep driving once you've done that.

Returning to the pits, your controls are locked for several minutes, but at least you can still hear the announcer over the loudspeakers. I could finally pay attention to the graphics, and you could see the flags waving in the wind. Graphics are on a whole different level compared to Assetto Corsa, although you can mod that for added realism, too. The damage on the car is quite realistic: my front bumper was all scratched up, and the hood wouldn't close properly after the crash.

Switching to heavy rain, I thought I'd hate it, but I was wrong. It makes everything so much more exciting and challenging. Using traction control feels like a lifesaver yet annoying simultaneously, but it's the best way to go about it if you're not a pro yet. Corner after corner, I started falling in love with the GT3 machines and the track layout. The last time I drove here in the dark, I was testing the Coyote Corvette in Assetto Corsa.

The scenery is much more colorful in ACC, but keep your eyes on the road, or you'll hit the guard rail. You can see sparks coming out when going over certain bumps and the occasional flames out of the exhausts. I haven't gotten the stamina or patience for a three-hour race yet, but I imagine the new ACC DLC is heaven on Earth for endurance racing enthusiasts. The best part is that you can always join an online server without paying additional fees like in another game, which I won't call out now.