The next version of the Early Access program for Assetto Corsa Rally is about to become available. Among the major new features in the KUNOS Simulazioni simulator, published by 505 Games, two Rally Monte Carlo stages will debut, fully laser-scanned—none other than the legendary Col de Turini and Sisteron.
Col de Turini – 18 km
Col de Turini is a legendary mountain stage, defined by constant elevation changes, extreme technicality, and very little margin for error. Over its 18 km length, the road climbs aggressively through dense forests before opening up into exposed alpine sections.
The stage is dominated by an almost continuous sequence of tight hairpin corners (hairpin), short straights and cambered corners (off-camber), which require precise car positioning and disciplined throttle control. Grip levels are highly variable due to altitude, shade, and surface changes, making tire management and accurate pace notes essential (pace-notes). Visibility is often limited and the narrow road offers few recovery options, severely punishing overconfidence. The car’s mechanics are tested in repeated low-speed acceleration zones, while the driver’s concentration must remain absolute from start to finish.
Sisteron – 13 km
The Sisteron stage is a fast and flowing 13 km test that strongly contrasts with the tight alpine stages. With wide, well-paved roads, long open corners, quick direction changes, and several high-speed sections, it will require drivers to be precise and fully committed at all times.
The stage rewards confidence and clean lines, maintaining high average speeds throughout the entire route. Elevation changes are less extreme but frequent enough to unsettle the car, especially on plateaus that lead directly into fast corners.
Braking zones are critical, as many entries approach at high speed with limited visual references. The pace is deceptive, and mistakes tend to happen when the driver commits too early and struggles to recover later in the stage. Aerodynamic stability, braking performance, and the accuracy of pace notes (pace-notes) are essential for extracting time on this stage.
Two New Cars
With version 0.3 of the simulator developed by 505 Games, two new cars arrive to enjoy all the special stage content already available.
The Lancia Fulvia Coupé HF is a classic front-wheel-drive car that made its rally debut in 1970. Its narrow-angle 1.6-liter V4 engine produces 115 to 130 hp, having won the 1972 International Championship for Manufacturers as well as the Monte Carlo Rally.
The Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 hit the roads in November 2022, making its debut at the Rally Lausitz, which it won. It is a FIA Rally2-spec car, featuring a 1.6-liter turbo engine producing 289 hp and equipped with all-wheel drive.
Dynamic Weather
Just as in real life at Monte Carlo, the stages feature a variety of weather conditions, alternating between snow and tarmac and back to snow again. 505 Games has also introduced this into the dynamic weather system now present in the simulator. To our knowledge, it is the first rally simulator to feature dynamic snow conditions.
But what is Dynamic Weather in Assetto Corsa Rally? It’s the ability to experience a stage that starts sunny and dry, but as you climb the mountain you encounter snow, and then, on the way back down, it returns to its original condition. In this scenario, it becomes crucial to anticipate the weather and choose the right tires before starting the stage, ensuring strong performance and avoiding surprises.
Noutros jogos ou simuladores de ralis, sempre nos deparamos com pisos secos ou molhados ou uma mistura, mas tudo está pre-definido. No Assetto Corsa Rally, a neve pode aparecer em qualquer ponto da especial, desde que as condições sejam adequadas. Obviamente, pelos menus, podemos forçar a neve, mas se o clima estiver definido como ‘Clima Dinâmico’ e as outras variáveis como aleatórias/realistas, aplicam-se as seguintes regras:
Snow begins to fall when it is raining and the temperature is below 0°C. The temperature depends on:
- Geographic location (ambient temperature will be higher in southern regions)
- Time of day (it gets colder after sunset)
- Altitude (temperature decreases with elevation)
Features included in the 0.3 update:
- Snow will occur only on the two Monte Carlo stages.
- Just like in Livigno, your car will leave tire marks in the snow, but they will be only yours. There will be no previous tracks from other competitors.
- Grip on tarmac depends on temperature: the colder it is, the less grip there is.
- Studded tires for increased snow grip will be available and can be combined with tarmac tires.
More features will be added in future updates.
Winter and Snow Tires
Tackling the icy roads of Monte Carlo requires a very specific type of grip. To meet this challenge, 505 Games is introducing two entirely new tire compounds, designed for the harshest winter conditions. As the weather changes and the stage progresses, choosing the right tire becomes as important as your driving line. In Assetto Corsa Rally, it will even be possible to combine different tire compounds, just like in real life.
Whether using a combination of Snow and Winter tires or a full setup for one of these conditions, the driver will have full flexibility to prepare for any challenge the stage presents.
The update is expected to be available on Steam by the end of February.