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Famed racing physics mastermind Niels Heusinkveld posted an interesting Talk & Drive video, discussing the Crew Chief GTR2 Enhancements Plugin by Iron Wolf, and its new physics-based force feedback.
The 2006 GTR2 FIA GT Racing Game by Simbin became one of the most popular Sim Racing titles in the early days of Sim Racing. Furthermore, GTR2 rapidly became a highly used modding platform, alongside rFactor.
Currently, the GTR2 FIA GT Racing Game is available via Steam for €3.89. So give it a try when you have some time to spare.
Now, all these years later, Iron Wolf set out to bridge the gap between 2006 and the present day, allowing you to use a 20-year-old sim with VR headsets, direct-drive wheels, and modern operating systems. He did so via his Crew Chief software, primarily known as a spotter/race engineer application.
However, the specific plugin for GTR2 goes much further. It acts as a modernization patch, injecting new code into the old game engine to add features that were impossible when the game was released.
During the Christmas holidays, Niels Heusinkveld had some fun, helping Iron Wolf improve the physics-based force feedback for the old GTR2 racing simulator, and now runs a few laps showcasing the improved feel and handling using the plugin.
For all the Sim Racing nerds out there, Niels also explains in-depth how this Iron Wolf collaboration uses tire and longitudinal force data to improve the in-game experience. The Heusinkveld mandatory spreadsheet and in-game settings are shown, detailing the process of tweaking parameters for optimal feel.
Key capabilities:
1. Native VR Support
This is the “killer feature” of the plugin. It adds native Virtual Reality support to a DirectX 9 game from 2006.
- How it works: It is not just a wrapper; it injects into the rendering pipeline to provide true 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) head tracking.
- Performance: It is known for running incredibly smoothly on modern GPUs because the base game is not resource-intensive, allowing for high supersampling and frame rates.
2. Core Technical Modernization
The plugin fixes many of the stability issues that plague GTR2 on Windows 10 and 11.
- Graphics & Stability: It fixes screen flickering, improves windowed mode behavior (borderless windowed), and addresses the “black road/missing textures” bugs often caused by modern memory handling.
- Multi-threading: It offloads certain tasks to different CPU cores, significantly smoothing out frame timing and reducing stutter.
- UI Improvements: It allows for better integration with modern overlays (like SimHub) without causing the game to crash or flicker.
3. Physics and Force Feedback (FFB)
The plugin exposes more telemetry data than the original game allowed, enabling:
- Flat Spots: You can feel tire flat spots through the Force Feedback (a feature GTR2 originally lacked).
- Modern FFB: It cleans up the FFB signal, making it sharper and more responsive for modern direct-drive wheels.
- Motion Rigs: It provides better telemetry output for motion platforms and tactile transducers (Bass Shakers).
4. The “Crew Chief” Experience
Naturally, the plugin enables the full suite of Crew Chief features for GTR2:
- Voice Commands: You can talk to your crew chief to request pit stops, ask for gaps, or check tire temps.
- Dynamic Spotter: A realistic spotter tells you when cars are alongside you (crucial for VR).
- Immersion: Real names (if configured), swearing (optional), and dynamic race commentary.
How to Get It
The plugin is actually built into the standard Crew Chief application. Download Crew Chief V4, and follow the easy instructions to get your GTR2 game instantly modernised.
Official Webpage – heusinkveld.com – Crew Chief
About Heusinkveld
Heusinkveld Engineering is a Dutch company that offers a broad array of products and services to the real and virtual racing scene. From advanced vehicle simulation software to simulator hardware. Sim Racers might also know the company’s founder, Niels Heusinkveld, as the main physics creator for the Automobilista racing simulator by Reiza Studios.
