Forza 5 adds its first new track: Road America!

"Desu-San-Desu" (Desu-San-Desu)
02/18/2014 at 14:08 • Filed to: None

Forza Fans, the first track add-on for Forza Motorsport 5 has arrived: Road America is here! With today's add-on update, you can now drive on one of the premier road tracks in the world for free if you own or buy Forza Motorsport 5. Longtime home to a host of racing series, Road America is legendary for its high-speed straights and its huge variety of challenging turns, all of which have been brought to life in spectacular detail on Xbox One. In fact, the only things you might miss from the famed Wisconsin-based circuit are the Johnsonville Sausages and some cheese curds.

Road America in Forza 5 will feature the main four-mile, 14-turn main circuit. For the first time in a Forza Motorsport, Road America will also feature four alternate ribbons that will test the limits of each player's skill. In addition, the circuit has been integrated throughout the Career in Forza Motorsport 5. Players will be able to take part in races on the circuit in both the main Career events as well as Career bonus events which are available after a Mini-Career series is complete. In celebration of the track's launch, players will also find new Road America-themed events in Rivals Mode and in the multiplayer lobbies.

One of the oldest and most distinguished of all the tracks in North America, Road America is a road course situated near Elkhart Lake in the scenic woodlands of Wisconsin. Much like Laguna Seca, Road America was conceived during a time when racing on public roads was becoming too dangerous to justify. Pressure from race organizers and government officials led to the abandonment of racing on the roads near Elkhart Lake, and ultimately to the construction of Road America in the span of just five months. The course opened in 1955, and the first race was won by legendary driver Phil Hill in a Ferrari Monza, after a hair-raising final lap that was a duel of nerves with fellow racer Sherwood Johnston's Jaguar D-type — an auspicious sign of the exciting racing that would unfold over the years at the track.

Unlike virtually every course of its age, Road America has managed to maintain its original four-mile, 14-turn layout (except for the addition of a bend used during modern AMA races, which is now playable in Forza 5). Despite a major renovation of the track facilities in 1992, all of the elevation changes and sharp turns have been preserved, making Road America a course that must be carefully studied to master. Highlights includes Turn 6, located under the Corvette Bridge, where a small hill obstructs the view to the blind left-hander beyond, and the steep climb up the final straight that makes overtaking through speed alone a formidable struggle. Road America is host to many different race series, including the Trans-Am series, challenging drivers of a variety of cars and motorcycles with its sharp turns and hilly terrain.

Also releasing today is the Road America Booster Pack , featuring five cars to collect, drive and customize in Forza Motorsport 5. The five cars include the 2006 #2 Audi Sport North America R8, 1995 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4, 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1, and the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series. This five-car pack will be available at no additional charge to Forza Motorsport 5 Car Pass owners. This bonus pack is available to Car Pass owners in addition to the six monthly DLC packs that Car Pass owners will receive through May 2014.

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I'm quite excited about this. Some of the best racing I ever experienced on Forza 4 was on this track and I'm really glad they're bringing it back. Road Atlanta will always hold a very special place in my heart, but for pure intensity during a long race, it's hard to beat Road America.

Now if only they'd bring back the Nurburgring, Infineon, Camino Viejo, and Fujimi Kaido!

Man...what I wouldn't give for an Xbox One right about now. Until then, I'll reminisce about old track battles on Forza 4. Particularly one between myself in a Lancia Stratos and Corz in a '69 Camaro during Group J's hallowed Trans Am series:

DISCUSSION (10)

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > Desu-San-Desu
02/18/2014 at 14:14

so this is out today? does this mean we still get next months car pack as well?

ncasolowork2 > Desu-San-Desu
02/18/2014 at 14:15

Impressive. Free DLC of Road America. I know 1 of the alternate configurations (a chicane through the kink area) I'm curious what the other two are and if they're fantasy land or based in reality.

Mathias Rios > Desu-San-Desu
02/18/2014 at 14:29

Until the nurburgring is added, this game is incomplete to me. I have played it on my friends XBone and I couldn't buy that game without it having the 'ring.

quarterlifecrisis > Desu-San-Desu
02/18/2014 at 14:31

GT6 needs this in a bad way. RA was the first track I drove in real life, love it.

FurySamurai72 > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ
02/18/2014 at 14:39

not only do we still get this month's car pack but we also get " Road America Booster Pack , featuring five cars to collect, drive and customize in Forza Motorsport 5."

2006 #2 Audi Sport North America R8

1995 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4

1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > FurySamurai72
02/18/2014 at 14:43

So looks like even though they lacked cars in the beginning we will probably get quite a few of these bonus packs with new tracks on top of the monthly packs. I'm surprised that Road America was their first choice for a new track instead of the Nuremberg Ring. I hope they bring back Fujimi Kaido though, although its a fictional track it was the most entertaining to drive, it just needs a pit lane to make it better.

FurySamurai72 > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ
02/18/2014 at 14:46

I only slightly surprised RA came before the 'ring. Imagine how much work it takes to rescan and remodel the 'ring compared to RA? So much more track to cover. Happy, nonetheless, with the added content tho!

gt6xxer > Desu-San-Desu
02/18/2014 at 14:48

Can someone with this new track answer me this?:

In F4, the course had a tree line that blocked the run-off at turn 5, before the uphill. It was inaccurate and pissed me off. You should be able to see Skip Barber from this corner as well as turn 13. Instead they blocked it off with a poorly rendered tree line.

Can someone tell me what they see at the run-off of turn 5 please?

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > FurySamurai72
02/18/2014 at 14:56

Yeah I know it takes tons of time and money to scan both tracks and cars, that's why i never complain about the price for new content, just seems like everyone wants the Ring more.

Kaltrop > Mathias Rios
02/18/2014 at 16:40

I agree completely. I'd be glad to have it as pay DLC to get it also.