E-Race R1

A limited edition release to promote the GT12 class, which has been rising in popularity over the years due to the lower barrier of entry compared to 1/12 LMP racing. This model is a souped-up MPV body sitting on top of the R1 Competition chassis. Versus the original, the E-Race is a little bit heavier due to the larger body shell with chassis weights shifted in position to counter the increase in center-of-gravity. In addition, the gearing is changed for more acceleration, and the tires are now rubber instead of a synthetic rubber/foam compound that was on the R1 Competition.

Due to these changes, the E-Race is a bit slower and has less grip overall, making it more fitting for the Pro class. Despite the negative effects of rubber tires and added weight, they do have their benefits. The tires offer more consistent traction on a wider range of surfaces, and the use of the same compound front-and-back makes the car more biased towards understeer. The added weight without compensation to spring rate and dampening means the car is a bit more forgiving on jumps and bumps. Overall, the E-Race R1 is still behaves much like the R1 competition, though a bit easier and slower to drive as well.

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Tips:

• The car still can oversteer with sudden steering inputs, at low speeds, and on slippery surfaces; but it's generally easier to avoid unpredictable oversteer with the E-Race R1 than it is with the R1 Competition. Drive with caution when appropriate.
• While the car suspension feels a bit softer, its landing behavior is mostly the same as the R1 - bad landings can spin the car out.
• The extra weight does not help much against pickups or collisions - the taller body may even may even make it worse (i.e. you can't fit under ball bearings unlike with the R1 Competition).
• The car accelerates to ~50kmh about as quickly as the R1 Competition. Acceleration to top speed falls off sharply however due to the gearing and increased drag.
• In terms of overall pace, the E-Race R1 is comparable to the Keyakizaka by Yukes von Faust, Xarc, and Saffron. The E-Race is faster at more technical sections while the Keyakizaka wins out in fast sweepers and overall controllability.

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Misc:

• The E-Race is obviously a parody of the Renault Espace F1. The mesh in fact started as a conversion from GT2 before I removed nearly every original polygon from the model. The only thing I haven't deleted is the front bumper.
• I started this project before the R1 Competition. However, I was not satisfied with the parameters, so I began working on the R1 Competition to figure out where I want to place this car in terms of pace and drivability. In the end, the E-Race model was updated with the details from the R1 Competition, and the minivan became a bit "looser" to drive versus the more "railer" handling I originally gave it.
• The defaul skin is a loose parody of the Espace F1. The "Eraser" skin is a parody of Pentel's Hi-Polymer Eraser aesthetic. There is also another eraser reference if you peek at the battery pack, whether on the mdoel or in the texture map.
• Since this was actually my second project, the UV mapping is even more of a mess than on the R1 compeition. I will not be providing a proper paint kit, but you are free to use the .pdn included.

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Rights and Acknowledgements:

• Polyphony Digital for the original Gran Turismo 2 model. Extracted from my personal copy of the game. RIP all the verticies I murdered in cold blood.
• Yun who playtested an early version (sorry for changing the car you liked!)