Paul Jeffrey
Premium
Studio 397 have released their first new content since taking over the development reigns with rFactor 2, today releasing the USF2000 open wheeler complete with all the teams and drivers from the 2016 season.
Built and tested in conjunction with a number of real world teams and drivers from across the pond, the USF2000 has already been hailed as one of the best pieces of first party content to be released for the sim. With 2016 marking the end of the current USF2000 regulations, Studio 397 have already confirmed they have secured the rights to develop the new for 2017 car, due to be released at some stage during 2017.
The USF200 is powered by a 170hp Mazda MZE 2 litre 4 cylinder DOHC engine, capable of reaching up to 150 mph and mated to the Van Diemen/Elan DP08 chassis. Added to rFactor 2 in two classes: the Championship class with a 5 speed sequential gearbox, and the slightly lower tier National class, with two transmission choices – the 5 speed (same as in the Championship class, but with a 50 lb weight penalty) and an older, 4 speed H-shifter variant available with three different final ratios.
Similar in laptime to the European Formula Three series, the Cooper Tyres USF2000 championship is an early rung up the ladder for American based drivers looking to make an impression in the road to the IndyCar series. Studio 397 described the new vehicle as "an excellent entry-level low-downforce car. It’s grippy, yet nimble. While it can be tail happy at times, it remains catchable and is always rewarding to throw around. We’ve enjoyed some very close, smile-on-your-face, wheel-to-wheel racing testing out the limits of the USF2000. Daring overtakes and massive trail braking really show off it’s capabilities".
rFactor 2 is a PC only racing simulation developed by Image Space Incorporated and latterly Studio 397. The game is available to purchase now on the Steam Network.
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Have you tried the USF2000 yet? What do you think of the new content? Let us know in the comments section below!
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