“You would not expect a supermodified driver, or any other driver to attend a race without their helmet, Why should you be unprepared?” Rob Warren – SUPRS Champion.
This SUPRS rFactor guide is offered as a way to understand what we expect from all the racers that want to compete on the SUPRS rFactor Race Server and to help you be ready for a great night of racing with us here at SUPRS.
We want to be sure you are ready to go when it’s race night and we’re here to help all the way, but we want to remind everyone that we will NOT hold up an event because a participant is missing the correct software, files, or isn’t following SUPRS procedures. It’s up to each individual to make an effort to learn some of this stuff on their own. There’s a vast amount of information on our website to help you do this. So make sure that if you have any questions, you contact us in the Forums or via email and/or our Social Media channels.
Much of this guide has information from the SUPRS Rulebook, found HERE, which will be referenced to a multitude of times in this document. We suggest that you read it.
How to install rFactor after January 1, 2018
New members and current members with a new PC, you will have to join Steam. Follow all of their literature, it is not too user friendly for us older folks, but this is how games are bought now. Once you have your Steam membership, you can search for, and download rFactor.
- Run the Video setup, and then run the game.
- The first time you run the game a small program called rFactor Config will run. Suggest you right click that and select “run as admin”. This program helps tune your graphics card to your rFactor installation. You can ask a SUPRS admin what is best, but it’s up each person to fine tune. We do suggest running your Shader Level at Auto to begin with and making sure the correct language is set.
- Create your username, #_FirstName_LastName
- Set your preferences, wheel, pedals, display settings (Imperial, instead of metric) etc.
- Run a few laps, OR let the AI drive a few laps just to be sure things are working. You should also take some time to look through the UI, (user interface), so that when you load our mods, you’ll have some idea of where to find your setups and such.
- Next, you will have to make a complete copy of your rFactor installation, it will look something like this: D:\Steam\steamapps\common
Factor - Create a new folder such as: D:\SUPRSrFactor
- Paste the contents of your installation into this location.
- Use Resilio Sync, (AKA SUPRS Sync to install files into the SUPRSrFactor.
Factor folder. An admin will give you the Sync key when you show up for your first Test-N-Tune or on a Thursday Test night. We have other places on this site that tell you how that works just make sure you have Resilio installed. - Create an icon from this installation on the desktop, and run.
Steam MUST be running in the background or, when you click your new shortcut, it will start the original install in the Steam folder.
Just note, some mods do not come ready for Windows 7 or later, so if you install add-on mods, be certain that you specify the proper file path for your operating system. rFactor will install a Manual that should be read!!! All 80 pages.
We have used the SUPRS install program on multiple operating systems with no problems. XP, Windows 7 32 bit and Windows 7-11 64 bit systems tested.
Side note: you can copy and paste your UserData folder from one installation to the next. It will be located in a path like this, D:
Factor\UserData\#_Name
We encourage everybody to back up the UserData folder periodically, as it has all of your setups in there.
Driver Names
- As per the SUPRS Rulebook, ( Article III, Section 3.00), all drivers competing on the SUPRS Race Server are required to use the SUPRS player name format of Number, First Name, Last Name:
IE 99 John Doe
The race night server admin app requires that we use this setting so that we can lift and/or add penalties quickly on race night. It also helps you look professional on our SUPRS Live Page and helps our fans, friends, and your fellow racers to know whom they are following on race night. You can set this when you first launch rFactor and this information is saved within your rFactor installation in the User Data folder and is called a PLR file. You should refer to our YouTube video tutorials HERE for videos on how to do that.
You may be kicked from the SUPRS Race Server automatically if you do not follow this procedure.
Quick Chats
As per the SUPRS Rulebook, (Article V, Section 5.00), All drivers competing on the SUPRS Race Server are required to use specific quick chats on race night when exiting, and entering the pits, acknowledging that they have seen the white flag and the green will be coming out after a caution, acknowledging that they have been involved in an incident that has caused a caution, and to let the Race Director know that they have been assessed a penalty. Quick chat messages are configured on the same page as the controller settings… IE gas, Brake, Clutch, Steer Left etc…. Click the rectangular icon that says “Quick Chat”
We suggest setting the quick chats to a button on your steering wheel, but you can use whatever device you like including keyboard, button box, or mouse. Just make sure you know where they are and which is which. The SUPRS required quick chats are:
- QC 1- PIT OUT #99 (use your registered number)
- QC 2-PIT IN #99 (use your registered number)
- QC 3-White Flag
- QC 4-PENALTY #99 (use your registered number)
- QC 5-INCIDENT #99 (use your registered number)
You may be kicked from the SUPRS Race Server automatically if you do not follow this procedure.
Skins
SUPRS allows one skin per driver, per mod at this time. This helps keeps our mod size manageable and makes life easier on the guys putting the mods together. As the need arises we may allow up to two(2) skins per driver. We often have a paint update around mid-season of each schedule so that people can change their paint schemes if they see fit, or so we can add the cars of new members. We generally try to urge members to keep a paint scheme though an entire season because it makes things a whole lot simpler and helps all the racers know whom they are racing against.
Connecting to the SUPRS Race Server
The SUPRS Race Server is NOT on 24/7 and is password protected for the safety of our members.
Sanctioned practice will be provided and you will have plenty of time to get hot laps in. If you would like to practice at other times, you can do so offline. We suggest that you turn off all driving aids as we do not allow them in the SUPRS Race Server except auto-clutch.
To find the server, it’s generally easiest to list the servers by race series. First click the connect icon, then the join button. Click on “Race Servers” so that it lists them in alphabetical order, Reverse alphabetical order will make it somewhat easier to find our server. Scroll down the list until you see SUPRS non-wing. You may have to use the green refresh icon several times for it to show up.
Another way to find the SUPRS Race Server is to click the blue “+” sign and type in our server url. Follow the online prompts then enter the server password.
There are times when the game just doesn’t want to co-operate, or you have submitted the wrong password and it seems like you’re locked out. Simply close out rFactor and try again. At the very worst, you may have to completely reboot your computer. Just keep officials informed and we’ll do our best to make sure you get in in time to race.
Entering the Track
rFactor provides time for practice, qualifying, warm ups and races. Procedures for practice and warm ups are the same using an open track with a hot pit. This means that when you arrive in the server for practice, practice will begin. Pit road speed is generally 50 MPH, but may vary per track. If you speed, credits will be deducted. At the end of pit road is a caution light, if it is red and you proceed onto the track, credits will be deducted. If it is yellow, it means that another car is coming on the track, proceed with caution. We ask all racers to enter the track as far out of the racing groove as possible and remain there until you can safely merge with traffic. You will notice that contact with other cars and walls will greatly decrease the performance of your car. Use extreme caution when making passes.
Time Trials
On nights where the format calls for qualifying, the SUPRS Race Server is generally set to allow 4 laps for qualifying, but because of track configuration, this may vary so make sure you pay attention in the drivers’ meeting to know for sure. One lap to get the car up to speed, 2 laps timed, and a lap to return to your pit. If you exceed the number of laps, you are disqualified and will start at the rear of the field.
Heat Race
Races will be lined up according to race night format. When prompted by the race director, drivers will join their scheduled heat race. You will have 30 seconds to click “GO RACE” and the game will put you on the starting grid in your starting position. See below for further notes.
Race
Race procedures and lineups will remain the same as per the rulebook, however, each SUPRS contest is unique and drivers should read the RACE DATA SHEET and pay attention at the Drivers’ Meeting. When prompted, the game should say “Let’s Go SUPRS Racing.” You will have 30 seconds to click “GO RACE.” and the game will put you on the starting grid in your position behind the pace car. WAIT for the cars to line up and the pace car will bring the field to the track for the rolling start. Be mindful that you will need to shift into gear when the countdown clock reaches zero and a notice will come up to stay behind the car in front of you. We ask that all racers remain patient and let the car in front of you roll out.
You will be responsible for maintaining a pace speed that keeps you nose to tail and side by side in a good starting line-up formation.
There shall be no lagging behind or scuffing tires on the formation lap.
SUPRS reserves the right to assess penalties to any driver that attempts to compete in a race that he is not scheduled to run.
Penalties
As stated above, all drivers competing on the SUPRS Race Server must follow the proper “player name” format. The admin app requires this setting so that we can lift and/or add penalties on race night.
If/When you receive a penalty, do what is displayed on the screen, for instance, if you receive end of the longest line penalty, drop to the back of the pack. If you receive a stop and go penalty, use your QuickChat #4 to let the admins know you have received a penalty by the game otherwise you will get another penalty. The SUPRS Race Director reserves the right to remove penalties.
We follow the 2 Spin Rule where you are allowed to spin and/or cause a caution twice during any race. This includes heats, consi, B-main and feature. We require the use of QuickChat #5 aka “Incident” to claim a caution. If nobody claims a caution, we will refer to the rFactor incident file to decide who caused an incident which can also be seen on the SUPRS Results pages.
Post Race
The top 3 finishers as well as 1 random driver will be submitted for inspection. Immediately after the race you must share your setup. Click the computer icon on the lower left corner of the main multi-player screen, between the vote no and vote yes buttons, then click share setup. This will send the garage setup to the received folder for all drivers. Members are encouraged to go to their received folder, click load to load the setup then go to the track folder of the particular track we are racing that night and save the received setups. This will allow all drivers to try multiple setups and get a better feel for the game.
Most Important
If you click Start, Programs, rFactor, there is a ReadMe file. Open that, there is a lot of information there. From setting up your controls, to the keyboard shortcuts to a rough overview of car setup. We highly suggest reading it and probably taking some notes on the setup information.When in doubt about any of SUPRS formats, procedures or rules, READ THE RULEBOOK!
