Formula Alpha 2023

Welcome to the Mod Manual for our latest project – a comprehensive

enhancement for modern Formula Alpha cars in Assetto Corsa. In this manual,
we'll walk you through the exciting new features we've integrated to elevate
your experience with these high-performance vehicles.
We've dedicated significant effort to simulate specific aspects of physics that we consider pivotal in
shaping the handling and utilization of the Formula Alpha cars. These features promise to bring a
new level of authenticity and engagement to your races.
However, it's essential to acknowledge that these enhancements are closely intertwined with the
capabilities of the Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) and its LUA features. CSP is an ever-evolving
platform, continuously growing and evolving. This dynamism means that while our features
synergize seamlessly with the current CSP version (0.1.79), future updates might introduce
incompatibilities.
To provide a solution that guarantees compatibility, we've taken a proactive approach. Alongside
the feature-rich version of the mod, we've crafted a "vanilla Assetto Corsa" compatible edition.
This version assures perpetual compatibility, regardless of CSP's future developments. While this
version may lack some of the cutting-edge functionalities we've meticulously designed, it serves as
a reliable fallback to ensure your enjoyment remains uninterrupted.
In the pages that follow, you'll delve into the details of both versions of the mod, understand their
functionalities, and gain insights into their integration with CSP. Let's embark on this journey to
unlock a new dimension of realism and excitement in modern Formula Alpha car racing.
Basics
Installation:
Follow these simple steps to install the Formula Alpha 2023 mod for Assetto Corsa. Even if
you're new to computers, these instructions will guide you through the process smoothly:
1. Extract the Mod:

• Find the downloaded mod file in your computer's downloads folder.

• Right-click on the file and choose "Extract" or "Extract Here." This will create
a new folder with the mod's contents.
2. Locate the Assetto Corsa Directory:

• Open the File Explorer on your computer.

• Navigate to where Assetto Corsa is installed. Usually, it's in "C:\Program Files
(x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\assettocorsa" for Steam users.
3. Copy the Mod Files:

• Open the folder you extracted in Step 1.

• Select all the mod folders (which are contained inside a folder called ''AC
Files'') including the ''apps'' and ''content'' folders.
• Copy these files by right-clicking and choosing "Copy."
4. Paste the Mod Files:

• Go back to the Assetto Corsa directory you found in Step 2.

• Paste the copied mod files into this folder by right-clicking and choosing
"Paste."
5. Enjoy the Mod:

• Customize your car setup, choose a track, and start racing with the newly
installed mod!
Remember, these steps may vary slightly depending on your computer setup and the
folders where you have installed Assetto Corsa.
For those familiar with installing Assetto Corsa mods, a quicker method is available. Inside
the downloaded 7z file, you'll discover an ''AC Files'' folder. Here's how you can streamline
the installation process:
1. Open the downloaded 7z file and locate the ''AC Files'' folder.
2. Drag and drop the contents of this folder directly into your Assetto Corsa root
directory.
3. It's important to note that automated installations through Content Manager should
be avoided. Content Manager may sometimes overlook or skip files, potentially
leading to issues.

If you encounter any issues, don't hesitate to reach out to us for assistance. With these
straightforward instructions, you'll be enjoying the Formula Alpha 2023 mod in Assetto
Corsa in no time!
Starting the Car:
To start the car in the game, you need to do it manually. To do this, assign the
"IGNITION" function to the "Extra option A" switch in the controls/patch settings located
in Content Manager.
•

We included this functionality due to the implementation of torque maps, which are
discussed in more detail below. The engine's idle behavior has been revamped, and its
RPM stays at around 3800rpm in a lifelike manner. Once the Ignition is turned ON, you
can then use the "KERS button" to start the engine.

Control Bindings:
To unlock the full potential of all the car's features and maximize your racing experience,
it's essential to assign key bindings to the following controls. By doing so, you'll have
seamless access to a range of functionalities that contribute to your performance on the
track. Take a moment to configure these controls:
Control Where to assign it to

Brake balance +/- Content Manager – Settings – Assetto Corsa – Controls – Buttons
Engine brake +/-
MGU-K Delivery +/-
KERS
DRS

Ignition Content Manager – Settings – Assetto Corsa – Controls – Patch – Extra Option A
Display Screen Down Content Manager – Settings – Assetto Corsa – Controls – Patch – Extra Option E
Display Screen Up Content Manager – Settings – Assetto Corsa – Controls – Patch – Extra Option F

Brake Bias Fine +/- Ingame – Using the ''Extended Controls app''
Brake Migration +/-
Brake Magic
Diff Entry +/-
Diff Mid +/-
Diff Hispd +/-
Pedal Map +/-
Torque Map +/-
Extended Controls app:
Moreover, we developed the "EXTENDED CONTROLS" application, designed for effortless
assignment of keybindings to a range of additional functionalities like Torque Maps, Pedal
Maps, Brake Bias Settings, and more, all while you're on the move! To set up the
"EXTENDED CONTROLS" app, follow these steps:
1. Install the app in the following directory:
...\steamapps\common\assettocorsa\apps\lua
2. After installation, access the application in-game through the apps menu,
specifically under the "settings" category when using CSP 1.80 and above or "your
apps" category when using CSP 1.79.
Physics

For this project, we've added a range of new features that let us simulate specific
elements of physics we consider crucial in defining how modern Formula Alpha cars
handle and perform.

Differential Control:
Now, you have the power to adjust how much the differential locks during different
phases of cornering: Entry, Mid-corner, and Exit. These settings can be changed in the
setup menu and even while driving, allowing you to fine-tune how the car behaves in
each phase for specific corners. Here's how you can use these settings to your advantage:
1. Entry Setting: Increase this if you want more stability when entering a corner.
2. Mid Setting: Adjust this if your car isn't turning in well during the middle of the
corner.
3. Exit Setting: Raise this if your car tends to "understeer" as you exit a corner, for a
snappier response.
You can also control how quickly the differential locking changes from the Mid setting to
the Exit/High-Speed setting. Normally, the car switches from Mid to Exit as it accelerates,
but during high-speed corners, the chosen speed largely determines this switch.
Remember, while these differential settings play a crucial role, the overall behavior of the
car still relies on your aero and suspension setup choices. Think of these differential
adjustments as the final layer of fine-tuning to get your car performing at its best.
Brake Enhancements:
We've introduced new setup choices to give you control over how the brake bias shifts
while braking. This modification can enhance corner entry stability by counteracting the
effects of rear braking from the engine/MGUK. In the most challenging scenarios, it
ensures that the front tires lock first, boosting safety.
The "Brake Migration" option adjusts the peak brake bias reached during braking.
Meanwhile, the "Ramp" setting defines where on the pedal travel the bias adjustment
starts. Let's understand how you can tailor these settings to your advantage:
1. Brake Migration: This controls how much the brake bias shifts during braking.
Adjust it to achieve the desired balance between front and rear braking. For
instance, you might prefer a rear-biased brake balance for better high-speed
cornering with light braking pressure. As the brake pressure increases, the
migration can aggressively shift the balance to provide stability in slower corners.
2. Ramp: This setting determines where the brake bias adjustment begins along the
pedal travel. Think of it as when the shift in bias takes effect. You can fine-tune this
to match your driving style and cornering demands.
Furthermore, we've incorporated a "Brake Magic Brake Bias" option. This enables you to
specify the brake bias used when activating the Brake Magic button. This feature is
especially useful for warming up the front tires during out-laps without causing excessive
wear.
By mastering these brake enhancements, you'll have an additional layer of control over
your car's behavior, elevating your performance on the track.
Torque Mapping and Pedal Response:
Revolutionize your driving experience with our torque mapping and pedal response
enhancements. These features bring the engine's reaction to throttle inputs closer to
reality, resulting in improved power delivery, enhanced throttle response, and refined
torque control. Here's how you can take full advantage of these innovations:
Torque Mapping: In situations where you're gently applying the throttle, this feature
maximizes the engine's torque output at the current RPM, offering smoother power
delivery, more responsive acceleration, and precise torque control. There are four settings
to choose from:
1. WET: Ideal for slippery conditions, promoting smoother throttle engagement.
2. LOW: A balance between power and control for a wide range of scenarios.
3. BALANCED: A versatile setting providing well-rounded performance.
4. HIGH: Unleash maximum power for aggressive acceleration.
You can switch between these settings on-the-fly to adapt to changing track conditions
and your personal driving style.
Pedal Response: The sensitivity of your accelerator pedal can be tailored to suit various
factors such as track conditions, tire compounds, and your driving preferences. We offer
five distinctive settings:
1. WET: Optimized for wet or low-traction surfaces, ensuring smooth control.
2. PROGRESSIVE: Gradual response for precision in technical sections.
3. LINEAR: Consistent response across the pedal range for balanced performance.
4. HIGH SPEED: Enhanced sensitivity for rapid acceleration on straightaways.
5. AGGRESSIVE: Instantaneous response for assertive driving.
Similar to torque mapping, you can switch between these pedal response settings on-the-
fly.
With these advanced adjustments, you can fine-tune your car's behavior in real-time,
adapting to different driving conditions and achieving the perfect performance for every
corner and straightaway.

It is intended for throttle input in pedal apps not to replicate your pedal input.
ERS Management:
Our ERS Management enhancements introduce multiple deployment strategies (STRATS)
for a precise allocation of electric energy during the race.
Flexible Deployment Strategies: You can now set up various STRATS to optimize
electric energy usage throughout the race. These STRATS can be changed on-the-fly,
allowing adaptability in different race situations. Each STRAT has two main components:
1. Target Deployable Energy: Set the desired energy to be deployed per lap in
Megajoules (MJ).
2. Strategy Goal: Choose between "Recovery" and "Delivery." "Recovery" prioritizes
MGU-H energy harvesting by limiting the maximum Turbo boost value. "Delivery"
increases the boost at the expense of MGU-H energy harvesting.
Manual energy deployment won't deduct from the maximum allowance. For example, if
the maximum value is 2MJ and you manually deploy 0.5MJ, the total deployed energy for
the lap will be 2.5MJ.
It's important to note that the power unit might not always meet the exact settings due to
power limitations and circuit length. However, the algorithm strives to come as close as
possible to the specified targets.
Additional Configurations: In addition to STRAT-specific settings, you can fine-tune
general configurations, such as the deployment window for DRS activation (minimal-
maximal speed). You can also adjust the energy distribution across track splits (refer to
the DISPLAY section for split monitoring). Unlike STRATS, these settings can't be changed
during the race and require careful tuning for each track.
AI Behavior:
Experience an elevated level of competition with the enhanced AI behavior in the Formula
Alpha 2023 mod. This time around, we're proud to highlight the remarkable improvement
in CSP AI. The AI opponents now showcase advanced adaptability, particularly in their
deployment strategies during races and qualifying sessions.
Unlike previous iterations, these AI drivers dynamically adjust their deployment strategies
throughout both the race and qualifying sessions. This means that you'll face opponents
who intelligently fine-tune their energy management strategies to optimize their
performance on the track.
Car Display
We've incorporated a multifaceted display system with multiple pages, designed to keep
you in complete command of crucial parameters throughout your race. With this feature,
you gain the ability to monitor and control various essential values, elevating your racing
experience to a whole new level.
Be sure you bind keys to "Extra option E" and "Extra option F" in order to navigate down
and up the pages of the display.

Setup Page:
On this page you have an overview of the items that can be configured on the fly.
Race Page:

Qualifying Page:
Warmup Page:

DRS LEDS:
DRS Available (yellow), DRS Activated (Green):
Screen side LEDS:

Purple/Middle (KERS Override is On)

Red/Bottom (Positive Delta)
Green/Top (Negative Delta)
Snapshot: New Physics Features at a Glance
Optional Setups Folder:
Inside the mod's 7z file, you'll find a folder labeled "Optional Setups." This directory
serves as a valuable addition, enhancing your experience with the mod. Here's what you
need to know:
• Purpose and Installation: The "Optional Setups" folder should be installed within
the following directory: C:\Users\...\Documents\Assetto Corsa\setups. This folder
contains fundamental base setups meticulously crafted for both the Custom
Shaders Patch (CSP) version and the vanilla version of the mod. These setups are
tailored for various tracks, ensuring you have a solid foundation for your races.
• Enhancing Accessibility and Performance: These base setups cater to both those
who prefer to hit the track without delving into extensive setup configurations and
those who seek to fine-tune their vehicle's performance. By having these setups
readily available, you can enjoy a smoother entry into the race and maximize your
lap times without the initial hassle of setup adjustments.
• Dual Functionality: The setups cater to both the CSP version and the vanilla version
of the mod, catering to a wide range of preferences. Whether you choose to race
with the enhanced features of the CSP or the more straightforward vanilla version,
these setups have you covered.
• Customization and Improvement: For those who are passionate about optimizing
their performance, these setups also function as a robust foundation. You can build
upon these setups, fine-tuning them to suit your unique driving style and track
conditions. This customization process ensures that you extract every ounce of
performance from your car and reach your full potential on the track.
Incorporate the "Optional Setups" folder into your Assetto Corsa setup arsenal and
experience the flexibility, accessibility, and performance enhancement it brings to your
mod experience.
Visuals
Steering Wheels:
Experience the Formula Alpha 2023 season like never before with our range of four
distinct steering wheel designs, each representing a different racing team's style.
1. Team-Specific Designs: Embrace team spirit with steering wheels that reflect the
colors, emblems, and identities of four Formula Alpha racing teams.
2. Focused Design: Opt for a streamlined experience with a steering wheel that
positions the screen in a fixed location, keeping your focus unwaveringly on the
track.
Choose from these diverse options to align with your preferences and team allegiances
from the ingame car setup:

This unique feature is available for both the CSP and vanilla versions of the mod, allowing
you to customize your experience no matter your preferred gameplay setup.
Tire Scuffing:
Prepare to experience the remarkable authenticity of modern Formula Alpha racing with
our meticulously crafted tire scuffing effect. This visually striking feature accurately
mirrors the visible tire scuffing observed on these high-performance vehicles. However, it's
essential to note that this effect goes beyond the visual realm; it's intricately tied to the
physics of tire wear.

Our commitment to realism ensures that this tire scuffing effect is not just a visual
embellishment but a dynamic element that responds to the actual physics of tire wear. As
your tires endure the demands of the track, you'll witness the visual representation of
their scuffing, reflecting the intensity of your racing experience.

While we've integrated this immersive feature into the mod, it's important to acknowledge
a limitation. Due to the way Assetto Corsa records replays, the tire scuffing effect will only
be active during gameplay and won't be visible in replays. Nevertheless, the impact of this
feature on your on-track experience is undeniable, enhancing the realism and excitement
of every race.
Flexible Front Wing:
Crafted to replicate the real Formula Alpha wings, this essential component is not only
visually represented but also intricately integrated into our physics model to elevate your
racing experience.
This innovative feature, a first ever seen on our Formula Alpha 2022 mod, is back and
better than ever – we're taking it up a notch. With our latest enhancements, you now
have the power to create asymmetric front wing setups. Tailor your front wing's
performance by individually assigning angles to the left and right flaps. This newfound
customization offers you unprecedented control over your car's aerodynamics, enabling
you to fine-tune your setup to suit your driving style and the specific demands of the
track.

It's important to note that while this feature is available in vanilla Assetto Corsa, as with
all innovative additions, there can be occasional glitches when used in conjunction with
CSP. In the latest CSP version, a glitch has been observed particularly when utilizing these
innovative skinned-mesh animated wings. This issue arises due to CSP's optimizations
during the transition from LOD A to LOD B. To mitigate the visibility of this glitch, we
suggest adjusting the following CSP settings, provided your GPU can accommodate the
changes.
Aerodynamic Kits:
Embrace a VRC classic with our array of distinct aerodynamic kits, a feature that has
garnered popularity among our community. These kits present an exciting opportunity to
enhance your Formula Alpha 2023 experience by customizing your car's aerodynamics to
your liking.

Each kit comes with a variety of visual enhancements, offering three distinct rear wing
types and two unique front wing types. These visual representations reflect the diverse
choices available to you as you fine-tune your car's aerodynamics to suit different tracks
and driving styles.
Front Tip Options:
Personalize your car's front end with two distinct front tip options, allowing you to tailor its
appearance and performance to your preferences. These customizable choices offer you the
flexibility to align your car's aesthetics with your individual style.
Suspension:
Visually modeled modifications for key parameters like camber, toe, and other suspension
values.

Dive into the intricacies of your car's handling as you visually witness the impact of your
adjustments on these crucial suspension settings.
Audio
As with every project, we strive to squeeze every bit out of the platform and its
capabilities. Our ever enhancing workflow continuously sees new and improved ways we
tackle audio, and the new Formula Alpha makes extensive use of a broad set of new
techniques.
New physics features such as the Ignition and Starter sequence enabled us to implement
the sound of cranking and firing up the engine for the first time.
We included a TV/ Broadcast Style Mix, following the reallife examples with separate
engine and exhaust layers, as well as an immersive Drivers POV Mix in the cockpit view.
A new, highly sophisticated sample logic enables us to work with many different layers,
giving the engine even more life and depth. Adding to the dynamic behaviour, the new
condition based layering now adds much more variation to the overall sound. Conditions
such as speed, angle of perspective or distance, gear state, all feature or trigger a
variation of a certain sample set, resulting in a highly lively audio experience.

We recommend you to run following in-game audio settings:

If you're using Pure Config, we recommend turning off all wind sound effects to achieve
the most genuine audio experience: